Jabra Engage 65 Convertible Wireless Headset

Jabra Engage 65 Mono Wireless Headset

The Jabra Engage 65 Convertible launched in April 2018 and it's the perfect headset if you want to connect to a desk phone and your computer.

The Engage 65 models come in 3 variants. All are compatible with Skype for Business and all major softphone applications: You're looking at the Convertible version which has earhook and earbud only included but a headband or neckband will soon be available as separate accessories. The Convertible has a shorter battery life and is lighter in weight & reduced range but apart from that all the specs are MOSTLY the same across the variants. All of the options can be worn with the microphone arm on the left or the right. Also available are Mono which is a straight forward over the head, ear cushion on one ear style. There is a neckband accessory available separately. Lastly, the... Stereo, a headband only '2 eared' model

As with all wireless headsets you will need an accessory to answer calls from the desk phone when out of reach. We know, it seems crazy that even such a sophisticated headset as this can't perform this apparently simple task but there are so many different phones all with different requirements that this functionality just can't be built into the headset. We call it a RAD (remote answering device). It could be a standard handset lifter or a special 'electronic hook switch' (EHS) cable that runs from the base unit to the telephone - it all depends on which make and model phone you have. If your phone has a USB headset port you may not need this but at time of writing, those phones are as rare as hens' teeth.

Simply Headsets strongly recommends you download Jabra software to get the most of out the Engage headsets... CLICK HERE FOR THE PC DOWNLOAD, CLICK HERE FOR THE MAC DOWNLOAD.

As far as the brand goes, Jabra is one of the most established and renowned leaders in the headset market, so you can't fault this headset, whichever way you turn. The Engage Series is a little more than the older Pro 9450 but is has some features that may well make it worth it for you.

The Good

As we've come to expect from Jabra you'll get great quality sound. Do note though that whilst you get the convenience of 3 wearing options with this model (headband and neckband are available to purchase if you don't like the earhook) you don't get quite as good noise cancelling (in the microphone). The mono and stereo models are the first in their class to meed the Teams Open Office requirements (trust us, that's a tough test to pass) but this version doesn't. It does have a standard directional noise cancelling microphone(G-MOS, Tx, CC 3.8 for the tech-heads out there) and superior speakers (P-MOS, Rx, Silent 3.9) that switch automatically optimise music sound when you're not on a call. As you'd expect these top of the line headsets also protect your hearing against sound spikes.

Battery life - 13 hours of talk time and 52 hours of standby is amazing. (9 hours for the convertible model). There's also a fast charge feature (in case you forgot to power-up overnight) which gives you over 5 hours of talk time in just 30mins. As with all headsets battery life decreases with distance - ie if you wander far from the base unit all time but you can of course replace the battery. However the unique 'Powernap' feature of the Engage extends that standby time even further when it's not been used for 30 minutes.

One the annoying things about wearing a wireless headset is that colleagues are never sure if you're on a call or not, so they will either blunder on in and you have to show them 'the hand' or (if they're a bit more considerate) there's the ever popular over exaggerated 'are you on a call?' mime. Happily Jabra has banished this issue with a built in busy light. On the convertible option there's a bright busy light on the earpiece which flashes when the headset is on. (On the mono and stereo versions this light is on both the earpiece and on the end of the microphone boom (or arm).

Density & Security - it's an important consideration when it comes to wireless, particularly if you're kitting out an office. Too many wireless headsets up close and personal to each other will cause interference and loss of sound quality. The Engage series has increased density capacity so you can have 3 times as many headsets in a small space as before. Additionally this is a super-secure headset, with features going beyond DECT Secure Level C, which provides the highest protection. 256-bit AES encryption. 128-bit authentication.

Need a portable headset that will work at home with a PC or you can travel with from time to time? This is it too! Jabra released a firmware update in Dec 2018 that means you can plug the headset into a standard micro USB cable then a PC for use as a corded headset.

Other stuff we thought was nifty:

* Volume up and down function: The headset knows which way up you're wearing it so you know that the top button always means volume up.

*The mute button is on the mic making it easy to locate (and you can set a reminder so you don't waffle on forgetting your caller can't hear you). *Not convertible model

* You can conference up to 3 additional same model headsets onto one base unit - great for conference calls or training.

* You can record calls made from mobiles or desk phones onto your computer (of course you'll need the caller's permission for that!) Great for call monitoring, authentication or agreement to terms and conditions or important calls you need to refer to in the future (NB 3rd party recording software is required).

The Not-So-Good

As we've mentioned this is an in office headset only - you can't use use it with your mobile when out of range of the base unit. The convertible nature of this headset has meant a bit of a sacrifice on comfort and some of the specs don't meet up to the Engage 75 Mono's sky-high standards.