--- Forwarded Message from Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:45:25 -0700
>From: Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]>
>To: LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: non-USB headsets

A couple of months back, someone asked for a recommendation for non-USB 
headsets.  Multimedia Learning Systems generously sent me a sample of 
their Media-2 headset, which has two analog 1/8" mini-jack connectors, 
one for the microphone and one for the earphones, as would fit a PC 
sound card, audio mixers, or breakout boxes.

<http://www.multimedialearningsystems.com/products-headsets.php>

I wanted to report my impression, that the sound quality is very good 
for the price point of $13.50.  The headset is similar to the 
behind-the-head style headphones that are fairly popular with many iPod 
users, especially those wishing to avoid mussing their hairstyles. 
This headset is different from any other behind-the-head headsets that 
I have seen, in that they don't put pressure on the ears.  Instead, the 
plastic is molded so that the pressure needed to keep them in place is 
carried by the bones above the ears, and the ear pads rest lightly on 
the ear.  For an eyeglass wearer like me, this is much more 
comfortable.

The microphone is on a short boom, and ends up beside my cheek, a bit 
back from the corner of my mouth.  As I mentioned, the sound quality is 
quite good.  The headset has a "youth" look, more like K-12 than higher 
ed.  This could be a plus or a minus.  I imagine that our students 
would be less likely to steal these than something that looked 
"cooler".  I judge them to be well-suited to average and smaller heads. 
They might be a bit small/tight for the largest head sizes, although 
the vendor might be able to give more reliable data on that.

Overall, I think this headset is worth considering, if you need a 
non-USB headset.

Derek

Derek Roff
Language Learning Center
Ortega Hall 129, MSC03-2100
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885
Internet: [log in to unmask]



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