Good afternoon, colleagues.
In the last article, we have completed a cycle of reviews on desktop phones, now we suggest talking about the headsets provided by our company. Let's start with the DECT headset model Snom A170. Watch a short video about the headset and start reading!
DECT standard
βWhy actually DECT?β, the reader will surely ask us. Let's look at the DECT standard as a whole and its advantages and disadvantages compared to other possible options.
DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) is a wireless communication technology at frequencies of 1880-1900 MHz. The technology is currently very widespread in wireless home and office phone solutions, as well as wireless headsets. The popularity of DECT for voice transmission is due to several factors:
- The DECT standard was originally designed specifically for voice transmission and is used only for this purpose. This means that there is no need to think about prioritizing traffic or congestion in the frequency range, it will be occupied exclusively by voice devices.
- Range of action. The range of devices operating on this protocol is limited primarily by the power of the transmitter. The maximum power according to this standard is limited to 10 mW, which makes it possible to separate the receiving and transmitting devices up to 300 m in line of sight and up to 50 meters indoors. Switching between signal sources is carried out faster than in the same Wi-Fi, without allowing the user to hear that the switch has occurred. Speaking about the range, it cannot be said that it is fundamentally greater than that of competing technologies, but the range of the DECT signal source is large enough to provide the user with freedom of movement or build a network based on multiple signal sources, covering a significant area.
- Number of channels. And that means the number of simultaneously working devices. The DECT standard implies the presence of 10 frequency radio channels, it would seem, not much. But each of the frequency channels is subdivided into 12 time channels, giving a total of more than a hundred channels for voice transmission.
If we talk about using it as a technology for connecting wireless headsets, Bluetooth technology can be called the main competitor of DECT. Compared to this technology, DECT will have both advantages and disadvantages.
To the benefits DECT before Bluetooth can be attributed to a larger coverage radius (Bluetooth can provide data transmission at a distance of ten meters, while DECT is several times larger), the number of channels described above, which Bluetooth will have somewhat less and use specifically for sound transmission, which will eliminate the presence third party devices using the same communication technology and frequency range.
By cons also include relatively high power consumption (Bluetooth devices consume noticeably less energy, which means they last longer without recharging) and the need to connect your phone to the headset base station in order to interact with it.
Unpacking and packaging
We now turn to the consideration of the DECT headset itself.
The first thing you notice when unpacking the box is the complete set of the headset. Perhaps it is thanks to her that this headset can be called a universal working tool and a faithful companion in almost any situation. The headset itself is a unit with a microphone, speaker and DECT transceiver. The battery is removable and initially it was not installed on the block, and the batteries themselves come with 2 pieces.
Together with a simple installation mechanism and the presence of a separate connector for charging the battery on the base station of the headset, this eliminates the disadvantage of DECT technology regarding the power consumption of the device.
What's more, the battery can be changed while you're talking, allowing you to always stay in touch.
In addition to the device itself and batteries, the headset comes with holders for various options for carrying the device. You can mount the headset on your ear, use the classic headband mount or the neck mount. Changing the attachment takes a matter of seconds, and you can use the type of wearing that is convenient for us at the moment.
And, of course, the headset comes with a base station for connecting the headset to your phone or PC. The base station is powered by a specialized power supply, which is also included in the kit, and is equipped with adapters for connecting to Snom and PC phones, as well as to third-party phones. The adapter kit includes:
- USB-Mini USB cable for PC connection
- RJ9-RJ9 audio cable between phone and headset
- Specialized EHS cable for connection to Snom phones
- EHS cable for connection to a standardized connector
This set of adapters allows you to connect the headset to any stationary device and work with it.
Design
Externally, the headset looks very concise and impressive. At the same time, any of the holders is harmoniously combined with the main unit, forming the appearance of a monolithic whole device. This state does not interfere with charging or changing the battery at all, making it easier to work with the user's headset and its transitions between different holders. The speaker, docked with the holders, has its own stepped mobility, which allows you to place the headset on your head as comfortably as possible.
On the top of the main unit there is a joystick for changing the volume. If in the PC connection mode it controls the volume level of the headset itself, then in the phone mode the volume level is changed directly on the phone. In addition, on the main unit there is a Mute key that turns off the microphone, and the main function key, which is used to make and end a call, equipped with an indicator of the headset status and its charge.
The rest of the headset is controlled from the base station. The base station of the headset also looks modern and elegant.
On it, as already mentioned, there is a special compartment for charging the battery, and under it there are connectors for connecting to a PC and a telephone set and a connector for connecting a power supply.
On the charging stand of the headset are the keys for operating the telephone and PC, the key for registering the headset based on the "PAIR" and the indicator of the Mute mode and the battery being charged. You will have to use the registration key only in extreme cases, by default the headset is registered on the base and does not require separate manipulations to connect to it.
On the bottom panel of the base station are toggle switches for switching broadband and narrowband audio modes, an auto-answer toggle switch and a frequency channel selection lever.
Functionality and operation
In general, the description of the keys on the base takes more time than it takes to get used to using the headset. To start operation, you need to connect the USB cable to the PC and wait for the drivers to be installed.
With a phone, everything is even simpler - we connect the headset to the appropriate connectors and start using it. To switch between devices, we use the "PC" and "PHONE" keys on the base station. When you press a key, its indicator lights up green and you can use the headset for convenient purposes.
The maximum distance between the headset and the base during operation is 50 meters. This is more than enough to feel at ease within a fairly spacious office and much more than a Bluetooth headset can provide.
The quality of the sound transmitted and received by the headset is excellent. Naturally, to listen to music, it is desirable to turn on the broadband mode on the base station. In this case, you will not notice a difference compared to wired headsets, but you will be able to move around the room with ease.
The microphone captures the sound very well, rightly not inferior in quality to many handsets, which is a very good indicator for a headset. All frequencies and intonations are transmitted correctly, and noise is muffled. The very noise reduction of the headset is exclusively passive, it is achieved by ear cushions or a rubber insert, depending on the type of holder used.
To sum up
What do we have as a result? As a result, we have a product of high quality in its simplicity, which will be your faithful companion in the workplace and make your colleagues pay attention to you, serving as a modern accessory for your everyday look.
Source: habr.com