MBP headset & connector question

[sjreynolds143]

Hi.

I'm about to replace a Logitech USB headset that I bought for my PC back in the day. They've done me good service, but are falling apart now. They were comfy, on-ear, with a good volume and mute control inline and a boom mic.

My problem is, I am struggling to find headsets with USB connectors. Most seem to be gaming headsets these days, with 3.5mm audio jacks. And my MBP (15" retina 2014) only has a "headphone" jack, with no connector for mic.

Or, is that just the way it's labelled? Is it like the iPhone - single jack that can handle microphone as well? The specs for the MBP that I can find aren't clear (to me, at any rate).

What would anyone recommend. Mid-priced, robust - the things get carted around in my laptop case. Or should I just go for wireless? If it helps, I mostly (but not exclusively, so I still need stereo) use them for Skype - but for long calls, so they need to be comfy - and I would also possibly want to connect them to the Xbox.

Thanks!

 

[Tomorrow]

I'm not clear on what you need - do you need a set of headphones you can use to listen, or do you need a 2-way headset where you can listen and talk?

 

[sjreynolds143]

A headSET so that I can listen & talk. That's why I was looking for USB, because I was under the impression that the little round hole on the side of the Mac labelled headphones was just that - for headphones. But I have seen a suggestion (I think) that it will handle a mic as well, if the jack has the connector band for it (as a composite mic IN/stereo OUT jack).

 

[matreya]

Plantronics make some good gear:

http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-PLNAUDIO478-Stereo-USB-Headset/dp/B005VAORH6/

As an example.

 

[Tomorrow]

A headSET so that I can listen & talk. That's why I was looking for USB, because I was under the impression that the little round hole on the side of the Mac labelled headphones was just that - for headphones. But I have seen a suggestion (I think) that it will handle a mic as well, if the jack has the connector band for it (as a composite mic IN/stereo OUT jack).

Forgive me - in my vernacular, a headSET could include a microphone, or it could not. It's simply another word for "headphones."

I believe that once upon a time the audio jacks on Macs were both input and output, as you describe - but I believe that the later models, like yours, do not have this feature. I agree that you would probably be looking at a USB product, or an external sound input device. Or, you could simply use the built-in microphone, since you would be talking out loud either with a headset mic or without.

 

[campyguy]

A few excellent options used in our office: Polaris Soundpro (monaural or binaural) which also has wideband audio and is Mac-friendly and VXi UC ProSet LUX (also monaural or binaural) with really good sound.

If you're interested in going wireless, then you pretty much can't beat the newest version of VXi's VoxStar UC for an office setup or Plantronic's Edge UC for a mobile setup - I use each of them. Both use wideband audio and the VoxStar rivals wired headsets - I use it for transcribing my dictation (into Windows apps running in a Parallels VM on my Mac) - make sure you get the latest version, not the older models being sold on Amazon's web site. Some of my field staff use (and swear by) the VXi BlueParrott B250-XT+ - I also know several truck drivers that use this headset...

 

[kazibole]

Or, is that just the way it's labelled? Is it like the iPhone - single jack that can handle microphone as well? The specs for the MBP that I can find aren't clear (to me, at any rate).

90% sure the single jack works like on the iPhone (audio and mic on the one connector).

 

[sjreynolds143]

90% sure the single jack works like on the iPhone (audio and mic on the one connector).

It does. I rummaged around and found a discarded iPhone set (I don't get on well with ear buds) and tried it, and it does. Thanks.
[doublepost=1460372043][/doublepost]

A few excellent options used in our office: Polaris Soundpro (monaural or binaural) which also has wideband audio and is Mac-friendly and VXi UC ProSet LUX (also monaural or binaural) with really good sound.

If you're interested in going wireless, then you pretty much can't beat the newest version of VXi's VoxStar UC for an office setup or Plantronic's Edge UC for a mobile setup - I use each of them. Both use wideband audio and the VoxStar rivals wired headsets - I use it for transcribing my dictation (into Windows apps running in a Parallels VM on my Mac) - make sure you get the latest version, not the older models being sold on Amazon's web site. Some of my field staff use (and swear by) the VXi BlueParrott B250-XT+ - I also know several truck drivers that use this headset...

Thanks. Will look at those.