• Rhymer1928 on Headset Design Faults

  I got a Logitech USB headset designed for the playstation2, since that was all the shop had in stock.
  I could not try it on because of the packaging!
  When I did try it on, one of the earpieces promptly fell off. Very poor design. Electronically, no problem, but mechanically, forget it! This one would fit a standard grapefruit but unsuitable for any adult!

• Stuart Henshall on Headset Design Faults

  So we are not alone with our headset problems. It could be time for a headset design competition.

  I looked up the Skype USB Remote controller. I think you are referring to this one http://www.usbgeek.com/prod_detail.php?prod_id=0299 or one similar. It's another innovative way to try Skype. I've not tried it. I've seen them retailing for less than $15.00. It does give you an easy hang up button.

• Hermann Klinke on Headset Design Faults

  I just recently bought the Inline USB VoIP Controller and it's just great. You plug into your USB Port and the OS recognizes it immediately as a soundcard. Headphones with a microphone plug into the controller. You can control Skype completely (control volume, choose contact, minimize Skype, start call, end call, etc) with the controller. And since it has it's own soundcard build in you don't even need a soundcard in your computer and I does not interfere with the other computer sounds, so that you can listen to music through your speakers and talk to somebody over the headset.
  I don't if it's available in the States though, I bought it in Germany.

• Teller on Headset Design Faults

  Stuart - being an avid music listener and preferring the sound quality from my Sony earbuds I've opted to just use my laptops built-in microphone. Both my IBM and iBook have very decent built-in mics so I've totally abandoned my Logitech USB-headset and if I've forgotten my Sony earbuds then I just use the earbud-mic combo that I got from Skype "candypack". Hasn't broken yet.

• Jean Mercier on Headset Design Faults

  I bought two Plantronics Audio 90 headsets last year (about 50 € each, not really cheap!). After two months both failed (one the speaker; the other one some kind of resonance problem in the microphone). I tried to contact customer support of Plantronics: no answer! I got them exchanged at the provider. One of them has failed again! I will never buy Plantronics again! :-(

• Ralph Poole on Headset Design Faults

  I like the Plantronics USB headset because it folds up. I travel a lot, but I have gone through 3 in a year. You have to be very gentle with them. The microphone went on the first pair, the sound went on the left side on the second. I had to buy it in London and it cost me GBP42. I was not happy, but I was unhappy when Skype was not working.

• rbindler on Headset Design Faults

  I have seen the new PSP from Sony, has a wifi connection and nice screen, is it possible to use skype if so how about the audio quality?
  thanks Robert

• Jan Geirnaert / Tropicaljantie on Headset Design Faults

  I don't use headsets. all the time... I use usb-phone sometimes. I stopped believing that my fingers need to be on the keyboard and my eyes on the screen when talking. It's not polite and it interferes with the focus of communication. one should be talking more the person's mind and look at the face. when the person on the other side is looking at the screen with hands on the keyboard, well it is just annoying. get a usb-phone. and with skylook you can record the conversation. I have tested on for Belltone International who resells ATA-BOXES in Malaysia. check http://news.belltone.com.my a simple news-letter I am running.

• Tobias on Headset Design Faults

  Good point. I'm back to using throw away headsets you grab in the super market for $10. They work fine and have the same sound quality than more expensive ones - and if they break, I just buy a new one.

  I've tried Bluetooth headsets before. I wanted to go leading edge and buy one that supports A2DP (for listening to hifi quality audio output) and the Headset profile. For me, that would be the real advantage of Bluetooth: to be able to use it for the mouse, stereo hifi sound, and when a call comes in for headset. Alas! When using the headset for hifi sound, the mouse doesn't work anymore (not enough bandwidth available). When in hifi mode, you can't receive a call at the same time, because you have to switch to Headset profile first. The mouse (Bluetake Bluetooth mouse) runs on batteries that last for a week max.

  Uh?

  I've found only two headsets at that time that supported both A2DP and Headset profile: The Bluewalker and Bluetake headsets. It took me 3 attempts to find the right USB dongle that supports both A2DP and Headset profiles... the one that finally worked was the Bluetake BT009Si (don't ask about the trouble installing it).

  I find audio quality with the Headset profile crappy (it's reduced to 11khz - the quality of an ordinary phone call and much inferior to normal Skype quality). The headset (around $100) broke after a month. I repaired it with super glue, but I'm simply not using it anymore because the fear that it will break again is not worth the crappy sound quality. :)

• Paul Jardine on Headset Design Faults

  I bought a Bluetooth headset from Plantronics. It only functioned within about 1.5m of my Bluetooth dongle on the PC!
  Not sure which piece of kit was at fault, but I'm still using a really basic headset from Tengjia which I got for about $8.
  I may try another bluetooth one later, once I buy a new phone (the Nokia N91, when it arrives!)

• Stuart Henshall on Headset Design Faults

  Lee,
  Thanks for the comment. When I'm stuck with a broken headset, usually when travelling I simply go into the nearest Electronics warehouse and pick one up. It's hard to judge them in their blister packs, and usually there is nothing to try on. With $20 headsets perhaps it can be hit or miss. Still I think they should last longer. I'm just going to use my bluetooth once more now.

• Lee Dryburgh on Headset Design Faults

  If you read the reviews on Amazon you would have avoided the Plantronics headset due to the fact that users claim they break every 6 months for the reasons you mentioned. I opted for the expensive Seinnheiser but recently I bought a cheaper Logitech USB one and to my surprise called parties like it more.

• continued in the Skype Journal Comment River: 200 fresh comments

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