With so many forms of online communication a new piece of PC equipment is becoming essential, a good headset. With Skype, Windows live messenger and various VOIP and IM clients and even second life gaining audio capabilities you need a reliable and comfortable headset like the one we have for review from Logitech.

This Logitech premium notebook headset is not what its name suggests, it is just at home plugged into a PC of any style or shape and the variety of connections on offer is one of its key strengths. We had thought that a headset with USB would be fine and that the older 3.5mm mini jack was long dead, but low and behold one of our test machines was much easier with front mounted AV sockets and only rear mounted USB. Plus with the 3.5mm you can also plug into other audio equipment to use the headset.

Simply inserting the 3.5mm jacks at the end of the long cable to the USB adaptor is easy and then the USB into our test machine. There is no need for a driver and the PC used plug and play to detect the headset and that it was both and audio output and input device. Next we used windows own inbuilt tool in control panel to test the levels. Replay was fine and also the microphone appeared good and sensitive unlike many cheaper headsets.

The design is the neckband type which we prefer to having something over the head like a more traditional headset. The Logitech premium notebook headset comes in its own hard case which while not stunning will keep it safe while travelling. The headset folds flat as the headphones rotate inwards and a simple twist action restored them ready for use. The earphones also hinge giving a wide range of fitting positions and made it easy enough to get the earphones on your ears and the foam covers make them uber comfortable too.

The microphone boom is a bit like the ones you see call centre operators wearing and it is very adjustable and easy to position just above the mouth to remove breath noise and popping. Quality is really rather good and easily good enough for those who want to use it to record a Podcast or to use speech to text software like via voice.

We tested with both Skype and Windows live messenger, both recognised the headset and allowed us to fin tune levels. Calls made were much better quality than out handheld Skype USB handset and also far more comfortable for a longer chat than a handset.

Ease of operation is also good as Logitech have provided a small inline control which adjusts headset volume and can also mute the microphone using a toggle slider. During our tests on some very log calls it proved to be very comfortable and you do forget that the headset is on, the cable length is enough to move around the machine but not so long that it is a nightmare to roll up and stop getting tangled every time you take it with you.

Priced at around £30 the Logitech premium notebook headset may not be a cheap option, but quality isn’t cheap and for the money you do get a comfortable and reliable headset that gives excellent quality. There are cheaper options and also more expensive noise suppressing ones but for us this middle of the road option is just right.

Published - 13/06/2007

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