Plantronics .Audio 550 DSP
March 5th, 2007 | by Justin Whitaker
Full Review
Features and Design With a long 10ft. cord the .Audio 550 DSP provides good mobility in terms of where you place your PC or laptop while using the headset. It also includes in-line volume control that provides good flexibility in terms of changing the volume level without having to access your PC or laptop. These pluses are counteracted by the fact that the .Audio 550 DSP is not very portable. The headset is not foldable and the in-line DSP module makes the whole package a bit more bulky than the average pair of headphones. Again, this limits the ways in which the headset can be used. It is primarily useful when you are at home using a desktop PC or laptop. Overall, the design of the headphones is modern and attractive. Each side of the headset is covered in a glossy black casing that gives the unit a clean, sophisticated look. The small Plantronics logo that is used to decorate the side of each earcup does not distract from the sleek appearance of the headset. The earcups and the headband are made from a soft leatherette material that provides good cushioning against your ears and head, and the overall weight of the headset is surprisingly light.
Designed to be used with a desktop PC, laptop or any other device equipped with a USB port, the .Audio 550 DSP is one of a new breed of headsets that forgoes the traditional 3.5mm mini-stereo jack in place of a USB interface. This allows for easy plug-and-play setup with any USB enabled device, but eliminates the possibility of using the headset with a typical AV receiver, iPod or other MP3 player that uses a 3.5mm mini-stereo input. This is one area where the headset falls short – a headset that will be used for gaming, music listening and VoIP would benefit greatly from a mini-stereo connection in addition to the USB connection.
Features
• 40mm stereo speakers dish up maximum bass response
• Lightweight, flexible headband provides comfortable all-day wear
• Noise-canceling mic cuts through background clamor
• Swivel-mounted, pillow-soft ear cushions deliver soft, acoustic precision
• PerSono Software makes you master of mic and audio settings
• QuickAdjust™ boom assures ideal placement
• Inline volume offers convenient access and control
• USB adapter enables plug-and-play ease
Image Courtesy of Plantronics
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by Brendan on January 28, 2008:
“I have been using my headset for almost a year now and all I can say is good job Plantronics. They did the DSP 550 right, I'm a gamer and I use Skype a lot, and the crystal clear noise canceling microphone and awesome quality in the speakers, makes it an experience...” More...