Question Headset for work, quality vs price

[jhsachs]

I use a computer headset mainly for 1-on-1 conversations and meetings. I currently have a name-brand wired monaural on-the-ear headset that cost me about $30. It gets pretty good customer reviews, but I often have trouble understanding what other people say, especially if they speak with an accent.

I wonder how much my trouble is due to my headset, and how much it is due to sound quality loss in transmission.

I see some wired monaural on-the-ear headsets that sell for three or more times what mine cost, and I wonder whether I could get better sound quality by raising my price point. If so, I wonder how to find one that actually is better. The reviews don't seem to reflect differences among the expensive ones, or between the expensive ones and the one I have, for that matter.

 

[jeremyj_83]

I use a computer headset mainly for 1-on-1 conversations and meetings. I currently have a name-brand wired monaural on-the-ear headset that cost me about $30. It gets pretty good customer reviews, but I often have trouble understanding what other people say, especially if they speak with an accent.

I wonder how much my trouble is due to my headset, and how much it is due to sound quality loss in transmission.

I see some wired monaural on-the-ear headsets that sell for three or more times what mine cost, and I wonder whether I could get better sound quality by raising my price point. If so, I wonder how to find one that actually is better. The reviews don't seem to reflect differences among the expensive ones, or between the expensive ones and the one I have, for that matter.

I have a Turtle Beach Atlas One Gaming Headset that is wired. It is an over the ear design and cost something like $40 when I bought it a couple years ago. The audio quality for all the Zoom calls I am on for work is great. It is also easy for people to understand me as it has a good mic as well. https://www.turtlebeach.com/products/atlas-one-headset

 

[jhsachs]

This is a matter of taste, not criticism, but you're recommending a headset like the one my employer provided, which I replaced at my own expense because I found it unusable. Over-the-ear speakers are unacceptable to me. Apart from the fact that I find them uncomfortable, they block outside sound. When another member of my household calls to me from another room, I have got to be able to hear them. When I'm using an on-the-ear headset, I can. With an over-the-ear headset, I can't.

I'd prefer to keep to the scope of my original question: how can I tell whether a better headset could improve my sound quality, and if it could, how can I find one that actually does so?

 

[hang-the-9]

This is a matter of taste, not criticism, but you're recommending a headset like the one my employer provided, which I replaced at my own expense because I found it unusable. Over-the-ear speakers are unacceptable to me. Apart from the fact that I find them uncomfortable, they block outside sound. When another member of my household calls to me from another room, I have got to be able to hear them. When I'm using an on-the-ear headset, I can. With an over-the-ear headset, I can't.

I'd prefer to keep to the scope of my original question: how can I tell whether a better headset could improve my sound quality, and if it could, how can I find one that actually does so?

If you want a single ear headset, try Jabra Evolve 20 UC Mono.
I use a higher end wireless version of this at work and the sound is very good.

If you want to have the best clarity, you would want to use a stereo headset, an open-back one will allow you to hear room sounds as well.

Phillips SHP9500 are very comfortable, good price and let in outside audio, you will just need to use an external mic with it like this one https://www.amazon.com/Antlion-Audi...YN25KWN/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B07YN25KWN&psc=1 or something that connects to the computer, the Blue Snowball is a nice USB one at a good price for the quality.

They are more comfortable to wear than any on ear headphone I have used.

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHP9500S-Precision-Over-ear-Headphones/dp/B00ENMK1DW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2Q8UFI476ULZF&keywords=philips+shp9500+headphones&qid=1664221179&s=electronics&sprefix=phillips+shp,electronics,98&sr=1-3&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.18ed3cb5-28d5-4975-8bc7-93deae8f9840