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Plantronics .Audio 85 Headphones Review |
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Written by Don Lee
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Monday, 25 June 2007 |
 Plantronics .Audio 85 headphones takes many factors that you need to take into account when
determining your next pair of headphones. Comfort, quality, audio
capabilities all play important roles towards your purchasing decision and these headphones make a strong case for itself. Here is what I discovered about the Plantronics .Audio 85 headphones.
The .Audio 85 features a lightweight frame, noise-canceling microphone, inline volume and mute control and compatibility with a number of popular programs such as Apple’s iChat, iTunes, multiplayer video games, video conferencing and more. Unlike traditional headsets, the Audio 85 is a foldable analog or digital headset that you operate through your computer’s USB port.
Installing the .Audio 85 headset was a breeze. First, you need to plug the packaged USB cable into your system’s USB port. Then plug the headphone and microphone jacks connect the 32-bit DSP (Digital Signal Processor). There's no software to install so the last things you need to do is unfold the headset and adjust it to your liking. The .Audio 85 headphones should be connected and working in under five minutes.
 The easy adjustable built-in noise canceling microphone, allows you to communicate with your friends using Apple’s iChat application or for voice enabled multiplayer games. The noise-canceling feature is to enhance the quality of speech throughput, which it does nicely. I tried the .Audio 85 with Apple's iChat program and it worked without any problems.
The Final Word
Plantronics’ Audio 85 foldable headphones are extremely lightweight and very comfortable. The .Audio 85 is one of the most comfortable headsets I’ve ever used. My only concerns with the headphones is the hinge at the top center of the headset that allows you to fold the headset together and the hinges on the side that allow you to fold the headphones upward. My concern is that most people will naturally pull the headphones apart as they put them on their head since people are used to having headphones that don’t split at the center. Of course any abuse to a product would lead to damage so I would be more careful about handling these headphones.
The other hinges on each side of the headset that fold up can also be a little annoying because they fold up rather easily. I wish there was some kind of quick release latch to lock the headphones into place. A few times while I was wearing the headphones, I had to straighten the headphones out after they folded up while adjusting them. If there was some type of latch at those side hinges, then you can lock the headphones in place during use and but unlock them when you’re ready to store them. While other headphones may be too heavy or uncomfortable, I was able to wear my .Audio 85 headphones for a number of consecutive hours while I was working and they didn't bother me at all. The lightweight design provides a pleasant user experience.
The .Audio 85 comes with a soft leatherette carrying pouch so you can take your headset everywhere you go. While I enjoy using the .Audio 85 headset, I would like to see a wireless version of these headphones. It would make the voice capabilities even more enjoyable by being able to be speak away from your computer.
The headphones may have a strange name but the comfort and quality of the .Audio 85 headphones is excellent. When you consider that these headphones are portable, it makes them even more valuable. The .Audio 85 headphones will serve your audio entertainment needs at home or on the road.
You can click HERE to purchase the Plantronics headphones.
The Product Specs:
Digital Signal Processing
5 channel 16-bit, 48kHz data from USB
24-bit, 100dB signal-to-noise codec
32-bit digital audio processing
Headphone Output
2 channel 48kHz output to headphone
Headphone gain stage>80dB range
20Hz-2kHz speaker frequency response
Microphone Input
Mono, 16-bit, 48kHz data
Microphone gain stage>50dB range
Up to 25dB noise reduction
100Hz-8 kHz frequency response
Electret condenser microphone with –39dBV/Pa sensitivity
3 meter cable
About Audio 85 Headset
The Audio 85 headset is a USB based lightweight, foldable headset that is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows based computers as well as iPods, iChat, video conferencing, multiplayer games and music listening. The headset comes with an adjustable microphone and an inline volume and mute adjuster.
About Plantronics
Plantronics offers mobile headsets to address the cordless and mobile phone market, next-generation computer audio headset products for computer applications and corded and cordless headsets and systems for the office, small office/home office and contact centers. You can visit them on the internet at http://www.plantronics.com
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