Looking to improve my teleconference audio. Up till now been using a hifi for output, and a crappy webcam mic for input. Works OK in my (small) office, but struggles in my (larger) living room. I'm looking at upping my game, remove echos and other nonsense.
Previously on here (I can't find it on search now) Jabra has been mentioned as the go to. Just wondering if they are still the gold standard. Looking at cheaper ones.
We have 2 Jabra 510's. Work perfectly in modest sized rooms. Sound quality is ace both ways- and there is the very obvious mute button.
You can plug them into a PC to act as the soundcard and mic for your computer (use with Teams, Zoom on windows) or bluetooth connection to a mobile.
Jabra 510s are great and I've used them extensively over the past few years.
At the start of lockdown I bought the Anker PowerConf
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Conference-Microphone-Anker-PowerConf-Compatible/dp/B0899S421T
I think it has the edge on the Jabra TBH
If its just you then a headset is the best option. Get one with a noise cancelling mic.
Looking round, looks like the 510 is the sweet spot, can be had for approx £70-£80. Only a fiver of so more than the 410.
Anyone have experience of the 710, these can be found for about £40 more. The main advantage, from what I can tell, is that they give half decent audio at higher levels. I'd not considered it as a standalone speaker, but might help me justify the additional cost to myself.
@tailwagger I'm not really a fan of the headset idea, but do take your point.
Several of us have recently had Senheisser SP30s sent us as we're that long on calls headphones aren't great. So far it's great, USB-C or Bluetooth. No idea on cost however, but suspect as public sector we paid more than you could on the open market.
If its just you then a headset is the best option. Get one with a noise cancelling mic.
It really isn't - unless you're in an environment you don't want to be broadcasting the sound or there's so much background noise you need a mic an inch from your mouth.
Jabra 510 user here, hoping this thread will yield something better as I don't find them that great.
If you type in your keyboard when on calls, if recommend a headset.
510 here also, and use it probably 4 plus hours most days, having been WFH since March. Works well and others say sounds ok.
I went for a podcast mic for the same purpose. More directional than a conference call mic so doesn't pick up my typing as much.
I went for a razer siren as it has a mute button on the mic
@urbanhiker We have 4 of them at work, 3 small meeting rooms and one boardroom.
I find they drop out and give garbled sound, the people on the other end have problems understanding us (I am often the person on the other end as I am not always in the office.)
They are generally a pain in the arse. I think the issue is when there are three or more people on one jabra, then it starts to get difficult for the sound to represent 3 or more voices at the same time.
We did attempt a radio type protocol where each speaker says 'over' before the next person speaks, but that ruins the ebb and flow of conversations. Reminded me of the old days of video conferencing where you would pass the microphone around the room...
Since using microsoft teams everyone either stays at their desk (or at home) and uses their headphones, or some people come into the meeting room with their laptop and use headphones, we have stopped using the jabra's altogether.
Teams works well at layering each persons conversation, its much more like being in the room.
I was recommended the Polycom Soundstation VTX 1000 but at £450 each I can't be persuaded, Teams works well.
Jabra Evolve headset and 410 speaker box here. Both wired, which I find makes a real difference to the quality the other people hear.
As said above if you are just listening/talking I use the 410. If I want to type and take notes I switch to the headset (Cherry mechanical keyboard!). The speakerphone really picks up the keyboard as its mounted on below the monitors directly in front of me.