Plantronics Savi Office WO100 Wireless Headset System

Overview of the Plantronics Savi Office WO100 Wireless Headset System

The Plantronics SAVI WO100 wireless headset is being discontinued and is only available while stocks last. It has been replaced by the latest Plantronics SAVI w740 headset with multiple wearing styles. Unlike the SAVI 100 the 740 not only connects to your office phone and computer, but now your mobile phone too!

However, because they aren’t a big selling headset we aren’t seeing the amazing discounts that are being offered on the other run out and more popular SAVI models like the WO200 and WO 300 (both now ridiculously priced at under $300!). Our advice is the replacement SAVI 740 is about the same money and it’s a much better headset. Save your time, money and buy either that, the Jabra 9470 or the brilliant Sennheiser DW office (if you don’t need mobile phone connectivity also).

For those of you still interested the WO 100 was designed for either over-the-ear or over-the-head wearing, and comes with both options in the box. Its part of the very good, albeit now discontinued, SAVI WO lineup and offers users one headset for multiple wearing styles and office applications (more on this later).

The issue is simple. If you don’t know what wearing style you’re after, then a headset like the Plantronics SAVI WO100, the latest SAVI 740, the GN 9470 or the DW office are perfect. They all come with multiple wearing options wheras the other latest models have been purpose built for one wearing option. In our experience, multiple wearing style models like the W0100, or even the W740 will never be as good as dedicated options, so if you have a preference then choose one of the specialised others.

If you’re a Plantronics loyalist then you simply can’t go wrong with any of the latest SAVI range that has replaced the WO 100. At this level, the only headset we believe is better than the latest Plantronics SAVI W740 is the truly amazing Sennheiser DW Pro 1.

The Good

The SAVI WO 100 has excellent voice clarity and, unlike the Plantronics CS60 on which it is loosely based, you now get noise cancelling thrown into the equation too. In its over-the-ear guise, the SAVI WO 100 doesn’t go right into your ear canal and is relatively comfortable. Alternatively, the SAVI WO200 offers users multiple ear canal inserts to suit almost any ear.

With no sound tubes or bits that can break off, the Plantronics SAVI WO 100 is durable and lightweight, so it is more than up to daily office wear and tear.

The rapid recharging capability is also handy, but unless you leave it undocked overnight that won’t be an issue. The SAVI WO 100 has a 9-hour talk time, so even heavy users won’t run out of juice.

A little secret is… because the SAVI WO100 can connect to your computer it means that any music you have saved on your PC can also be listened to through the headset. Having some personal music to listen to quietly and discreetly is a great little bonus for office-bound staff. As soon as a call comes in and you pick it up, the music stops. When you hang up on the call, simply touch the computer icon button on the base station and the music starts again. How cool is that?

As a computer headset the Plantronics SAVI WO 100 connects easily via USB and can be used for everything from IP calls, IP soft phone applications and Skype, to Dragon Naturally Speaking 11 and other voice recognition software. This is the way technology is moving and headsets like the latest SAVI W740, 720, 710, the Sennheiser DW Office range and the Jabra Pro 9450 are ready for it when you are. One headset for all your office needs!

The Not-So-Good

The over-the-ear wearing style of the SAVI WO100 is one of the least comfortable for all-day use. The replacement SAVI 740 is much better. We think Plantronics only offered it because so many people bought the original CS60, and given the identical wearing style of the two headsets, it was a natural upgrade path. If over-the-ear is your preferred wearing style you’d be better serviced by a CS70N or the SAVI WO 200 but only while stocks last. If you prefer over-the-head then look to the run out SAVI WO 300, Sennheiser DW Office, DW Pro 1 or the Jabra Pro 9450 . The run out SAVI 300 and the brilliant DW Office Pro 1 in particular were both designed with call centres in mind and can cop a beating and still bounce back.

The Verdict

The SAVI range is excellent and the discontinued Plantronics WO 100, even the replacement SAVI W740, are both the weakest and strongest in the newest model line up because they offer multiple wearing styles. If you have no idea then they allow you to cover your bases. Unfortunately, our experience has shown you should always buy the best specialized headset you can for the purpose and wearing style you want. That said, decide on your wearing style upfront and choose another from the latest SAVI 700 range.

If you still can’t decide then the replacement SAVI 740 is about the same money and even better than the WO100 or choose the brilliant Sennheiser DW Office.