Plantronics CS70N Wireless Headset System (Noise Cancelling)

Overview of the Plantronics CS70N Wireless Headset System (Noise Cancelling)

The Plantronics CS70N has been a consistently great headset for years now but is being discontinued. It has been replaced by the CS540. But if you’re looking to get the most comfortable over the ear model around then this has got to be it so buy it while you still can. The latest CS540 simply isn’t as good. The technology may be better but not from a comfort perspective. In fact, there’s nothing cheaper that even comes close.

However, you still wouldn’t buy it. Why you ask? Because of an almost identical headset called the SAVI WO200 (also being run out). It’s exactly the same but it works with your office phone and computer too. This covers all your bases and there used to be over $100 difference between the two. Now for a about $10 more you get a headset that works with your computer and office phone. Our strong advice is you should buy it instead.

If you’re looking to answer calls away from your desk we also recommend you buy an HL10 handset lifter. This device fits on your telephone base and lifts the hand piece up or down when you push a button on your headset, letting you answer and hang up on calls from anywhere in the office. A handset lifter for this headset is available separately, or as a great value headset and lifter bundle pack.

The Good

At under $300, the Plantronics CS70N offers very good value. The sound quality is faultless and the range is very good. Numerous members of our own staff historically wore the CS70N and this was by choice. It was only recently when newer models came out that they changed up to the Sennheiser Pro 1 (which they can’t stop talking about).

The CS70N’s battery allows for a genuine full day’s work and unless you’re in a call centre, or literally on the phone every waking moment of the day, talk time will be fine. A rapid recharge also helps, so dock your headset at lunch and you’ll have more than enough battery life to last you through the day.

The Not-So-Good

With only one wearing style, the CS 70N is often dropped from the shortlist of many buyers, especially when there are headsets like the GN Netcom 9330, CS 540, and the brilliant Sennheiser DW Office offering the flexibility of both over-the-head and over-the-ear configurations.

The sound tube, while offering excellent call quality, can also be a little fragile. But don’t worry - they are inexpensive and easily changed over. If you are buying a CS 70N it’s a good idea to buy a couple of spares as well.

We had 2 girls in the office who tried the CS 70 N for a couple of days and handed them back. The girls ears were small and the earloop design meant the headsets literally kept falling off. So, small ear buyers beware! That said, the piece that actually goes inside your ear canal comes with multiple fitment options so whether your ear canal is small or large there will be no issues for normal people.

The main downfall of all office-only wireless headsets like the Plantonics CS 70 N (and other run out models including the CS60, CS351N, CS361N) is that they don’t work on computers. The future of headsets is moving towards voice and computer convergence. This simply means that more people will start to use their headsets for softphone IP applications, VoIP (like Skype) and voice recognition software like Dragon Speak 11 and MacSpeech. Products like the CS70N are one trick ponies.

Many people are buying multi-use headsets to keep their options open with the SAVI WO 200 we mentioned before as the best bet or the latest SAVI 740, the Jabra Pro 9450 and the awesome Sennheiser DW Office and Sennheiser DW Pro 1. If convergence is in your future, then pay a little more.

The Verdict

The Plantronics CS70N is a wonderful over-the-ear, purpose-built office headset...but don’t buy it. Not because it is being discontinued but because you should buy the WO200 instead and cover all your bases (even though it is being run out too). Whichever of these great headsets you choose we know you’ll be very happy and you’re going to get a BARGAIN!

The only reason you would buy the latest CS540 instead is if you have a wireless computer network. Plantronics claim their latest “Voice only DECT” technology will eliminate the chance of any interference (a problem our customers never really had anyway).