(1) from Harold Hendricks <[log in to unmask]>
We purchased 31 of the 500 headsets 4 years ago and most of them are
still holding up just fine. We have also purchased a large number of
the 625 with the USB/Analog connector. We have had them about 9
months and the headsets have not been a problem, nor the telescoping
microphone; but, we have had two of the USB/analog connectors break.
The sound quality of the 625 is excellent.
Harold H. Hendricks
Supervisor, Humanities Learning Resource Center
Humanities Technology and Research Support Center
1163A JFSB
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602-6703
Tel: (801) 422-6448
Fax: (801) 422-0304
(2) from [log in to unmask]
We are using sturdy SH80 USB headsets from Sony Sansinc
http://www.sansinc.com/headset.html - they have now been replaced by the SH81.
They are a bit expensive but have been well worth it in the last 2 years of
heavy use of our labs. We also are using the SH70 but they haven't been as hard
wearing as the first one. They also contain an integrated sound card which
improves the sound quality of student recordings as opposed to the standard PC
sound cards coming from DELL.
My advice is to use headsets with a solid microphone (not flexible) and possibly
not foam at teh tip of the mike because it tends to fall off after a couple of
months, and no mike button - because students often "forget" to turn it on
during oral tests then need to repeat the test at a later stage.
We are also using in our self-access lab analogue headsets which are proving
sturdy: Plantronics Audio 90.
Hope this helps :-)
Edith Paillat
Language Technology Specialist
Victoria University of Wellington
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/llc/about/projects.aspx
(3) from [log in to unmask]
Hi Janet,
We are still very happy with our Plantronics DSP500s. They have stood
up very well to considerable student use for over 2 years.
Judi
____________________________________________________________
Judi Franz, MA, Director
Humanities Instructional Resource Center
http://www.humanities.uci.edu/hirc/
(949) 824-4500 | Humanities Hall 269 | [log in to unmask]
2003-09 IALLT Programs Director (http://iallt.org/)
(4) from [log in to unmask]
The Califone 3066-USB, recommended on this list, has proved quite
durable for us. It is significantly more rugged than the Califone
3064-USB, for example, so a bad experience with one model may not
reflect on another. It's 1960's style of educational design makes it
highly unattractive for thieves.
Like many similar headsets, the 3066 has a controller on the cord,
which only serves to confuse most students and teachers. If they leave
it alone, all is well. They have vinyl covered padded ear covers which
are fairly comfortable, and easy to clean. They may get ripped
eventually, and can be replaced. I wouldn't want to wear them for long
periods, since eventually, vinyl against my skin begins to bug me. If
my pedagogy required wearing a headset for a full class period, then
comfort would move to a high spot on my criteria list, and I would want
to do comfort comparisons. I don't know if the 3066 would make the
final cut. Most of our use is in the 5 to 20 minute range, and we have
had almost no comfort complaints. Some complaints about hair-style
conflict, which would be true of almost all over-the-head headsets.
They are adjustable enough to fit a very wide range of head sizes.
These surround the ear, which I like better than those which sit on the
ear, both for comfort and for excluding ambient noise.
The sound quality is quite good, both for listening and speaking. No
doubt there are many headsets with better sound quality, but these
exceed all of our audio quality needs. We got them for about $30 each
from Media Management & Magnetics, several years ago.
<http://www.computersupplypeople.com/> I think they may have been a
special order. Califone isn't listed on the Media Management web site
now, but I have gotten good discounts by calling them. 800-242-2090.
Shipping costs are noticeable, although reasonable for larger orders.
Make sure you get a complete quote.
Derek
(5) from [log in to unmask]
I like Micro Innovations MM750H Multimedia Headset with Built-In Microphone.
I've deployed almost 60 of them and they're performing well for us. You can
find out more about it at
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Innovations-MM750H-Multimedia-Microphone/dp/B0000EZQ
5K/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238093195&sr=8-1.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
List Price: $23.22
Price: $11.59
You Save: $11.63 (50%)
------------------------------------------
James C. Chan, Ph.D., Director
Center for Language Technology and Instructional Enrichment (CeLTIE)
120 Ballantine Hall, Indiana University Bloomington
Website: www.iu.edu/~celtie
Phone: 812-855-0004 Fax: 812-855-565
(6) from [log in to unmask]
Hi Janet,
The whole headset thing can get frustrating after a while.
We have gone through probably 3 different types of headsets in the past 5 years
(some cheap Logitechs and also a similar model to the Plantronics 500, which
lasted about a year and a half), and they really don't seem to stand up to
sustained use. I made the decision to try to find some that were as
indestructible as possible and ended up ordering a full set of Sanako SLH-07s
from a vendor here in the area. They are super tough, super durable, offer
really great sound quality and a pretty good mic.
There are a few drawbacks, namely the price (although I'm hoping they'll pay for
themselves since they should last). Other drawbacks include the size (a few
students have said they're a bit bulky) and the fact that the mic doesn't swing
up out of the way, which is something that I really miss.
Here's more information in case you're interested:
http://www.sanako.com/Products/SANAKO_Accessories/SANAKO_Headset_SLH-07.iw3
http://www.sanako.com/Products/SANAKO_Accessories/SANAKO_Headset_SLH-07/Brochure
s.iw3
Best,
John Verbick
Director, Modern Languages Learning Center
Instructor, Spanish
Department of Modern Languages,
Literatures, and Linguistics
University of Oklahoma
Kaufman Hall 229
Norman, OK 73019
(405) 325 1352
[log in to unmask]
(7) from [log in to unmask]
Hi Janet,
I wrote a post awhile back on my "Hunt for the ultimate headset"
(http://blogs.ucls.uchicago.edu/wll/2008/10/14/hunt-for-the-ultimate-headset/).
It is a challenge, since no one headset seems to fit all of my
criteria. The DSP 500 USB (which we use currently and plan to replace
this summer) is a solid headset, but students accidentally hit the
mute button, pull off the foam tip to the microphone, and in at least
four instances, have managed to pull the cloth-covered earphone off of
the headset (we're a K-12 outfit). Cloth is not the most hygienic
either. We've also used a Logitech model (http://tiny.cc/4bKSn), which
still has the in-line mute button, but at least the microphone is
encased in plastic.
My wish list:
- No inline volume controls or mute button
- Earphones covered with synthetic, plastic, easy-to-clean material
- Plastic-encased microphone
- Comfortable (oval shaped earphones tend to be better that round shaped)
- Either replaceable parts or inexpensive to replace
- Noise canceling
- Automatic loopback (so that students can hear their voice amplified
as they speak)
- USB
This summer I'm looking at these two options:
Sennheiser PC 350: http://tiny.cc/BuUHI
SANS SHS100: http://www.sansinc.com/headset.html
I would also be interested in what other labs have purchased in the
last year or so.
Allison Weiss
--
http://worldlanguagelaboratory.org
(8) from [log in to unmask]
Go to this website:
http://www.ambertech.com.au/productinfo.php?articleID=467§ionID=1&as
sID=&catID=98
We have used these types of headsets for over 28 years all of the
original ones! They are around $135 Canadian so they are not cheap,
however when amortized over 30 years, they are cost effective. They are
durable, comfortable and have decent specifications.
Using inexpensive headsets gives unsatisfactory results.
(9) from [log in to unmask]
We have been very happy with the KOSS SB-45 headsets. They are relatively
sturdy (haven't had any break in the year we have had them), comfortable,
the sound is good and they are cheap (about $25).
JP
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