Snom A100M and A100D office headsets
We continue a series of reviews on the range of headsets of our company, and today we will turn our attention and yours to the wired headset model: Snom a100… Depending on the version, the headset will have an index D (Dual) or M (Mono). Let’s take a closer look at it.
Equipment
The headset package includes the headset itself, interchangeable ear pads, and an RJ9 adapter.
It is worth mentioning here that the cable of the headset itself has a QR connector at the end, and adapters for these same interfaces provide connection to device interfaces. The QR (Quick Release) connector, like its QD counterpart, is a 4-pin connector for quickly connecting and disconnecting headsets to adapters and devices.
Design
The appearance of the headset can be called classic for this type of device. The headset has a metallic black headband that slides into the plastic ear cushions. The latter are not rigidly attached to the headband, having several fixed positions both horizontally and vertically.
One of the holders also has a microphone rotation axis. The microphone makes a 300-degree circle, allowing the headset to be positioned on the head with either the microphone on the right earpiece or the left. The rotation of the microphone itself also occurs through fixed positions, which are quite numerous in terms of the rotation diameter. The transition between them is carried out very softly, while, when it is in a certain position, the microphone itself is securely fixed without moving from a given direction.
Functionality and operation
The process of using the headset begins with connecting it to the device with which the work will actually be carried out. This connection is carried out through adapters, which we will now talk about.
Each of the adapters allows you to connect a headset to its own type of connector. The headset supports the following adapters:
- ACPJ
- ACUSB
- ACPJ25
ACPJ adapter allows you to connect a headset to the Jack 3.5 mm jack. The length of the adapter cable is 60 cm, but part of the cable is made in the form of a spiral, due to which the total length of the adapter cable can increase significantly. The cable plug is 3-pin, through the adapter the headset works perfectly on smartphones and other devices, providing more than good voice quality for both reception and transmission.
ACUSB adapter, as you might guess, allows you to connect a headset via the USB interface. This adapter is also interesting in that it has a device control panel that allows you to change the speaker volume, mute the microphone and send a command to make or end a call, and the adapter keys transmit commands to a PC or IP-phone with which the headset works, and not just change the gain of the speaker itself A100…
ACPJ25 adapter allows you to connect a headset to the Jack 2.5 mm jack. This type of connector is often used on DECT machines. Apart from the type of connector itself, the adapter differs little from the ACPJ.
Another important point in the operation of the headset is wearing comfort. Due to its light weight (only 79 g) and the ergonomic design, the headset is practically imperceptible on the head. The ear cushions are made of pleasant material, and due to their shape and snug fit to the auricles, they provide passive noise cancellation, significantly reducing the level of external noise.
Speaker A100 give a clear and high-quality sound, very, very loud. When connected to a PC, half the volume of the speakers is enough to make the sound seem unnecessarily loud. However, everyone has their own concept of normal loudness. The speakers operate in a frequency range of 150-6,800 Hz, gently hinting that Snom a100 designed primarily for conversation. No, there are no fundamental inconveniences when listening to music, but low and high frequencies do not sound as bright as in headsets intended for this.
The microphone in our headset captures a slightly wider frequency range of 100-10,000 Hz, with passive noise cancellation, the microphone provides decent sound quality, leaving it clear and loud.
Outcome
What do we end up with? Headset A100 is comfortable to use and provides good sound quality, but what else do we need from a wired headset? A variety of adapters provide versatility of use, and the QR connector allows you to use the headset with a variety of devices, quickly connecting and disconnecting from them when needed.
