In this article we look at the best microphone headset for webinars.
Even though our focus will be webinars, the headsets mentioned in this article have many uses from use in Skype calls and even gaming.
The headsets that I prefer for webinars are ones that come with a microphone.
We even discuss some of the best headphones for an online teaching environment.
Lets get into the Best headsets for webinars.
Webinar is short for web based seminar.
Because of the reach of the internet over the last couple of years, webinars have become a popular method for communicating with audiences.
Webinars have become a popular means of introducing your company or yourself and your products to customers or potential customers.
A webinar is a way to get a potential customers email address, and slowly sell them products over time. At least this is how many marketers have used webinars.
Some marketers and product owners even sell their products on the webinar. In this case the webinar is used as a sales pitch.
In order to conduct high quality webinars it is important that you get right tools.
With webinars you get the opportunity to build relationships with your audience.
Here are some tools for webinars
The most important thing will be the software that you need for the webinar. The process of setting up a webinar has become easy through software that does a lot of the scheduling for you.
In addition to software, there are a variety of tools that can help you achieve your objectives
- You will need a decent microphone so that people can hear you clearly
- If you intent on showing your face you may need a decent web camera. Your laptop camera may not be of a decent quality for a webinar.
- Oh and lastly make sure that you have a decent internet connection
Popularity of webinars
Webinars have become extremely popular over the years
A google trends search reveals this search term on google. Notice how the trend has been increasing over the last 5 years.
As you can see the term is very popular
lets have a discussion around the:
Best microphone headset for webinars
Here we take a look at the best headsets for webinars.
We look at headsets that have microphones in them as that allows you to speak fluently and clearly to your audience
Headsets have a verity of applications as they can be used for gaming and/or for conference calls
My favorite headsets for webinars are
1. Sennheiser PC 8 USB Headset-best USB headset with microphone
The main features are
- Comes dynamic stereo sound
- versatile headset that can be used for a variety of applications such as
- Talking over the web, and listening to action packed PC games and even listen to your favorite jams
- Comes with a noise cancelling microphone that filters out ambient sounds, and ensures that you are heard by your audience loud and clear.
- The noise cancelling mic, also makes sure that you do not hear your surroundings and that you do not have to shout.
- Comes with easy USB plug and play
- The headphones are light and comfortable
- Easy volume control – the in-line volume/mute control lets you make quick adjustments without fiddling with your computer settings
- Even comes with an amazing 2 year warranty
- Unfortunately you only get the headset in 1 color and that is black
- The headphones weigh 84 grams
Technical specifications
Impedance 32 Ω
Frequency response (Headphones) 42 – 17000 Hz
Sound pressure level (SPL) 95 dB
Ear coupling on-the-ear, open design
Transducer principle (headphones) dynamic, closed
Microphone performance
- Impedance 2 kΩ
- Frequency response (Microphone) 90 – 15000 Hz
- Pick-up pattern Uni-directional
- Sensitivity as per 121 TR 9-5: – 40 dBV
2. Plantronics Savi 8200 Office and UC Series—with top-quality wireless DECT™ audio. – best Bluetooth headset with a microphone
Features
- Wireless multi-device connectivity
- Seamless management of PC, mobile and desk phone calls
- Transfer audio between headset and mobile phone with the press of a button
- Noise-canceling microphone with Close Conversation Limiting
Close conversation limiting minimizes the sounds around you
Close conversation limiting also manages to isolate the callers voice from the other near by voices through what is called artist
One-touch controls
- call answer/end, volume up and down and mute (on/off)
Up to 13 hours of talk time
Adaptive power system allows you to automatically downshift or to low power when the headset is close to the base to save battery life
Flexible microphone boom
Position the boom so it is the ideal distance from your mouth (two fingers) distance to optimize voice quality
Voice alerts
- Mute status and out of range
Ringer in the base
- Ringer conveniently located in the base with volume controls (off, low, medium, high)
What headset has the best mic?
To answer this question lets talk about what makes a good microphone ?
As with most things, it depends.
It depends on what the microphone is for, how you intent to use it and for how long.
A studio microphone and a microphone for gamers will have different requirements.
What sets 2 microphones from one another ?
There are many factors but I will talk about 3
Diaphragm
The diaphragm moves in response to the sound and converts the sound into an electrical signal
The diaphragm should be light in order to get good frequency response from it.
Get a diaphragm that resists environmental damage such as humidity.
Mechanical properties of the mic
The mechanical components would include the microphone, the grill, even the microphone clip.
The mechanical design can determine how much unintended noise is rejected.
A well designed microphone will reduce handling noise, which is the noise caused by holding, moving, or adjusting the microphone.
Electrical
Many microphones include electronics to boost the signal from the diaphragm before outputting it.
Some mics also have simple switchable high-pass filters that further reduce handling and wind related noise.
Electronics should be low noise, whilst simultaneously handling a huge dynamic range without distortion.
Click on this ling to see where you can find some headsets with good microphones
What is the best headset for online teaching?
For online teaching, you must have headphones with a decent microphone to be able to hear your students or your teacher.
The aim is to have a professional non-intrusive headphone.
It is important to decide what types of headphones are going to be the most comfortable because the headphones will be used for hours per day.
I prefer on ear headphones for online teaching as they will not distract students.
What I like about them is that they come with comfortable ear pads
You also must consider how much you are willing to pay for the headphones
Since the headphones are going to be used for hours each day you want a quality pair
You should be able to make up the cost of the headphones within a few weeks of work.
Preferably you should get headphones with a microphone, but this is up to you.
Here are a few examples of headphone that you can consider
1. Logitech H390 USB COMPUTER HEADSET
Fortunately these bad boys will not break the bank
With a Noise cancelling microphone and a USB-A connection, you get quality and clear internet calls
With inline controls you can control the volume or mute without interrupting a call
Listen to quality enhanced audio with the laser tuned drivers
With a 2.3m cable you can get up and stretch without taking off your headphones
The headset is a plug and play headset and is compatible with any PC or mac
The headband and the ear cups are padded for extra protection and comfort
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Input Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity (headphone): 94dBV/Pa +/- 3 dB
- Sensitivity (microphone): -17 dBV/Pa +/- 4 dB
- Frequency response (Headset): 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Frequency response (Microphone): 100 Hz -10 kHz
- Cable length: 7.64 ft (2.33m )
- Connections: USB-A compatible (1.1, 2.0, 3.0)
DIMENSIONS
- Height x Width x Depth:
- 7.87 in (200 mm) x 9.65 in (245 mm) x 2.83 in (72 mm)
- Weight: 6.9 oz (0.197 Kg)
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
- Works with Common calling applications across almost all platforms and operating systems.
- Windows® or macOS®
- Chrome OS™
- USB port (Type A port or adapter)
2. Plantronics.AUDIO 355
- Make Internet calls or listen to music, podcasts, DVDs, and more from your PC
- Use with Skype®, Windows Live®, or Yahoo! Messenger® services
- 40 mm speakers for rich, resonant stereo and maximum bass response
- Includes single 3.5 mm adapter for smartphone and tablet use.
- You are able to position the noise-canceling, QuickAdjust™ microphone precisely where you want it
- You can also adjust the volume or mute the mic with the convenient inline controls
- Listen in total comfort thanks to the lightweight design and pillow-soft, swivel-mounted ear cushions
3. Jabra Evolve 75
Headband
The headband is a wide band headband
Speaker
bandwidth music mode Hi-Fi
Speaker bandwidth communication mode
150 Hz–6.8 kHz
Speaker size
40 mm
Microphone bandwidth
Wideband
Microphone type
Medium-length boom-arm with noise-cancelling uni-directional ECM microphone
Microphone frequency range
150 Hz–6.8 kHz
Audio control
Speaker volume up/down on headset
Passive noise-cancellation
Yes
Active noise cancellation
Yes – Hybrid 4 mic ensuring 17 dB (perceived cancellation in an office environment)
Listen-in feature
Don’t miss important announcements or questions from your colleagues.
Press the left ear cup to hear the outside world without having to take off your headset
Integrated busy-light
Red lights on both ear cups are activated automatically when on a call or manually activated by the user when busy, to act as a ‘do not disturb’ signal
Certifications
Skype for Business, Avaya, Cisco and more
Battery included
Yes
Charging time
Max. 120 minutes
Charging stand
Optional
Connection
Bluetooth® or USB. Allows for dual connectivity for two Bluetooth® devices simultaneously
Bluetooth
Yes. Class 1 (up to 30 metres) and Bluetooth 4.2
Operating range
Up to 30 m
Talk-time
Up to 15 hours
Battery time (with ANC activated)
Up to 30 hours
Standby time
Up to 15 days
Supported Bluetooth profiles
A2DP (v1.2), Hands-free Profile (v1.6), Headset Profile (v1.2), AGHFP (v1.6)
Bluetooth wireless technology
Bluetooth 4.0
Security
Pairing, Authentication and Encryption (Bluetooth standard)
Paired devices
Up to 8 trusted devices, 2 active stand-by Bluetooth connections
