Digital Trends

Plantronics .audio 480

September 18th, 2007 | by Jason Tomczak

Features and Design:

The Plantronics .Audio 480 "virtual phone booth" is a very high-tech, svelte looking boom mic and ear bud set. Because it doesn't have a rigid over-the-head brace, the entire body of the 480 is sexy and thin, like a string bikini. It's equally attractive on men and women (very much unlike a string bikini) thanks to the neutral silver and black coloring and futuristic design. The entire .Audio 480 weighs only a few ounces - even with the USB adapter. For laptop users on the road and that want a headset for VoIP, the .Audio 480 is amazingly easy to transport. It even comes with a nice leather carrying case with soft, felt-like lining.

Noise Canceling Microphone

Plantronics is very well known for their excellent noise canceling technologies. The .Audio 480 was given a noise canceling boom mic which blocks or greatly reduces wind noise, ambient noise in a room or office, etc. Instead of hearing a bunch of yadda yadda in the background, your callers will hear and pay attention to your voice - clean and clear, no distractions. 

Sexy Bendy Boom
 
There's nothing quite so embarrassing as having a fat honking sausage boom mic protruding in front of your face while you try to conduct a VoIP call or video chat. Get hip to the 21st century with an uber thin boom mic that's thinner than most 3.5mm audio cables. It's the Kate Moss of boom mics (without the disgusting coke addiction). Your callers may notice an increase in voice quality and your video chat friends will suddenly be able to see your cheery face. 

Stereo Audio

Some VoIP headsets have only one ear bud, reducing calls to a single audio channel. The .Audio 480 has two ear buds, allowing for full stereo sound. While a headset may not be able to improve VoIP session quality, stereo audio can greatly enhance the overall experience and feeling of proximity in VoIP calls.

The Plantronics .Audio 480 headeset with USB connection