EPOS|Sennheiser IMPACT SDW 5034 Mono Wireless Headset - USB + Mobile

EPOS|Sennheiser IMPACT SDW 5034 Mono Wireless Headset - USB + Mobile

Pronounced - SENN- high-zah. Everyone struggles with this so we thought we'd pop that in first up!

The SDW 5034 is a DECT wireless headset. The base unit connects to connects to a mobile phone via Bluetooth and a PC (or laptop) via standard USB. f you have a snazzy phone with a USB HEADSET port you may be able to use the USB connection for this instead of a PC (call us to check!). NB as the mobile phone connection is to the base unit you'll leave your mobile near the base unit. So you cannot then use this headset when out and about. If you need that connectivity have a look at the MB Pro 1. The 5000 series are all compatible with Skype for Business, Microsoft Teams and all major softphone applications.

The 5000 models are each available in 3 wearing option variants; 3-in-1, which comes with a headband, earhook AND neckband in the box, the Mono version; a headband only style which is what about 80% of people want these days. Also the Stereo; a headband only '2 eared' model. All of the options can be worn with the microphone arm on the left or the right. This is the Mono variant.

As a company we’re proud to be able to offer the new SDW range to our clients and we challenge anyone to find a better headset range. Plantronics had dominated the Australian market for such a long time but you can certainly argue that Jabra and Sennheiser are now in full competition and competition is a good thing! The headphone and microphone gurus at Sennheiser have used their 60+ years of audio experience and R&D to create headset perfection. As we always say, the golden rule of headsets is to buy the best you can afford and, we hope your boss has given you the ok to buy any model in the new SDW range.

More details

Connections - The SDW 5000 Series will connect Via USB to your PC or Laptop. It has one interface only so you cannot connect to 2 USB devices simultaneously. interface (to connect to a PC for Softphone or other applications or indeed desk [phone with USB headset port). The connection to your mobile is via a USB dongle that fits into the base unit - so just to repeat ourselves - Your mobile needs to stay within approx 15m of the base & you can only use the headset when you're within range of the base unit.

Sound quality - Sennheiser has this NAILED. The DW range has the best quality sound we've experienced and we expect the SDW range to be the same. If you're looking for the best quality sound in and outbound, you can stop looking - this is your new headset. Most of the Simply Headsets staff already use Sennheiser headsets. (Sophie loves her Sennheiser so much her hubby gets jealous!). The SDW5000s have SUPER wideband to ensure a natural sounding voice no matter what device you're using it with and it has High Density Wideband to ensure best call clarity in offices with many users (such as call centres). If density is an concern for you you should also have a look at the Jabra Engage 75 Series.

Microphone quality - Sennheiser are keeping the ULTRA noise cancelling microphone (they have 2 noise cancelling mics!) which is VERY good news for anyone in an noisy office who wants to sound like they're in their own private office. Nothing is less professional that customers hearing the hubbub around you, so this, along with the older DW series remains the best option option for you if you don't fancy sounding like you're in a call centre or have crazed colleagues around you!

Busy light - There's an inbuilt online indicator light - a flashing blue light on the ear to show colleagues when you're on a call. Anyone who has ever had to show a colleague 'the hand' when they interrupt them on a call or has gone through the over-exaggerated 'are you on a call???' mime will know that this is a brilliant feature. There's also an external online indicator available as an accessory (have a look lower down at the 'Accessories' tab) that you can put on your desk for a more obvious indicator that you're busy / free. This more obvious light is perfect for receptionists or anyone who greets the public. Just a little to sign to say 'If this light is flashing please take a seat, I'm on a call but will be with you in a moment', saves all the uncertainty and puts clients at ease.

Range - The line of sight range is advertised as up to a staggering 180 metres, better even than the new Jabra Engage series BUT as with all headsets this will diminish with interference from electronic devices and also if you're going though doors, partitions etc. Stairs and concrete walls will have the greatest impact but also glass partitions and anything that enters line of sight between your headset and it's base unit. Of course if you start with the longest range possible you know you've got the best chance of maintaining signal. Sennheiser reckon that on an average busy office their range is 55m. (We've found it to be a bit better than that).

Bluetooth range is a different entity. NB this only applies if you purchase the BTD 800ii USB dongle (which this SDW 5034 model includes) The connection is from the base unit to your mobile phone(s), not directly to the headset so if you leave the phone on the desk you'll get the same headset range as above. However if you cannot bear to be parted from your mobile when you leave your desk then the range from mobile to base is 'up to 25m' BUT this is also dependent on your phone - most will be approx 10m (ie the distance that you can take the mobile from the base unit and still maintain a connection to that base). This is the same with all headsets. If you want a headset that you can also use out of the office, this is not it. We recommend a separate BT headset for out of the office use.

Know when you're getting a softphone call The SDW base can be configured to ring when you have a call coming in. You an even configure the ring tone so you can tell if your call or your colleague's - there are 3 tones to chose from.

Other stuff we thought was nifty: </h2

* You can conference up to 3 additional headsets onto one base unit - great for conference calls or training. You can add a Sennheiser USB corded headset too - again super for training. Or even a Sennheiser speakerphone (USB).

*The base unit has a USB port so you can plug in a Sennheiser USB headset for training purposes or a speaker such as the SP20 for calls when you want a few people to get in on the phone call (assuming they don't have wireless headsets that you can conference to the base unit!)

* You can plug in connect a Bluetooth headset to the dongle. Why is another matter but we're sure someone will like this!

* All wearing styles and versions of the headset use the same style base unit so no matter what headset style you opt for (when the other versions are available that is) it will work on any SDW base unit/ Of course if you have a USB only base it with only work with a USB device but means you don't have to invest in top of the range headsets across the office when some only need limited connections.

* You can merge calls coming from 2 devices eg PC and mobile into 1 call. You can also switch between calls coming from different devices with either the base unit or the headset.

* The super fast charge is SO handy when (not if) you forget to dock it overnight. Most headsets take an hour or more to charge to 50% but with a DW in just 30 minutes you'll have enough battery to see you up to lunchtime.

The Not-So-Good

If you are looking at the 5033 model The ear hook style looks seriously over-complicated to set up. Sennheiser have actually produced a 2 minute video just on how to attach the earhook, plus others on the headband and neckband styles. Please be careful and watch the right video as it looks somewhat fragile and if you break the ear hook or the headset, you may not be covered by warranty. Of course once you've worked it out, like everything in life, its easy!

If you're a Mac user please note that like all headsets from time to time you'll need to update firmware of the headset. Sennheiser (at time of writing, June 2018) don't have a Mac version of their firmware update. The headset will work FINE with your Mac BUT you'll need to access a PC or non Mac laptop to update firmware.

The battery has to be changed by a technician. Initially this will be done by Sennheiser for you as a warranty claim if something happens in the 1st few months. After that... we're not too sure. Those details are being nutted out. That said we have a great relationship with Sennheiser and have found they are just as customer centric as we are. We're sure it will be OK.

The Verdict

If you're a Sennheiser fan (there's a lot of you out there!) you'll be very happy to get your hands on one of these. If you're not already a fan, we reckon this will convert you.

Other Headsets To Consider Before Buying

Here's the thing. This is actually the ONLY DECT wireless for just PC and mobile. You could flip to a Bluetooth model if you want to use with your mobile when out of the office or for something a bit more transportable. Or get a headset that also connects to a desk phone. Our top picks for each of those options are... for Bluetooth Sennheiser MB Pro 1 UC or for a 'tri-fectca model, the latest Jabra Engage 75 Convertible if you really need all those wearing options or Jabra Engage 75 Mono if you just need a headband style.