Updating my home conference kit

[ContractorBanking]

Looking to upgrade my home conference kit (webcam, speakerphone, wireless headset) - what's everyone else using these days?

I'm looking towards the following:

- Logitech webcam C920S Pro
- Jabra 750 speakerphone
- Jabra Evolve 75 with charging stand

Would prefer a more integrated speakerphone / wireless headset if one is available.

Thoughts and recommendations

[ladymuck]

This ought to be in technical...

I have the webcam and headset. I find the headset makes my right ear hurt with the pressure on it. If you're working from home in a quiet environment you don't need a headset, make use of speakers and a microphone instead as it's much more comfortable. If you like to work from co-working places, coffee shops and so on then it's a good headset to get as it does a good job of noise cancellation.

If you're getting the Jabra headset because it claims to work with Teams (in theory, you should be able to answer a call by pressing a button on the right ear) then you'll be disappointed - MS did something and that functionality no longer works and neither MS nor Jabra are taking responsibility for it. It's all over various forums. I spent a long time trying to work out why my headset wasn't working as expected in that regard...

[ladymuck]

Oh and think about lighting too. Most home offices don't really have good lighting for video so consider a clip on usb lamp or some such that will better illuminate you for video calls.

[SimonMac]

Looking to upgrade my home conference kit (webcam, speakerphone, wireless headset) - what's everyone else using these days?

I'm looking towards the following:

- Logitech webcam C920S Pro
- Jabra 750 speakerphone
- Jabra Evolve 75 with charging stand

Would prefer a more integrated speakerphone / wireless headset if one is available.

Thoughts and recommendations

Why the 750 and the 75s?

I have a Nikon D7000 with cam link providing the video, Rode NT-USB Mini mic and two Elgato Key Light Air's for lighting.

[CheeseSlice]

I have the Jabra evolve2 65 and it works fine with Teams. You can answer a call by tapping the side or by flipping down the mic. Battery lasts for days without charging.
Make sure you pick the correct model that comes with either USB-A or USB-C dongle. If you need to change this dongle they’re about £60-70. Laptops are starting to ditch USB-A.

[vwdan]

I've just treated myself to the Jabra 750 - I'm pretty happy with it and haven't had any complaints. Apparently it can be a bit echo-y, but I had that with myold Plantronics too so I think it's just the nature of it.

Either way, I like it - I like that it's Bluetooth too, and the integrated stand is a nice touch. When I compared it to the cheaper versions it seemed worthwhile to spend that little bit more.

I moved from the Plantronics because I've had nothing but issues with it since I got it a few years back - it was never very good, and the app integration was very flaky

[ContractorBanking]

This ought to be in technical...

I have the webcam and headset. I find the headset makes my right ear hurt with the pressure on it. If you're working from home in a quiet environment you don't need a headset, make use of speakers and a microphone instead as it's much more comfortable. If you like to work from co-working places, coffee shops and so on then it's a good headset to get as it does a good job of noise cancellation.

If you're getting the Jabra headset because it claims to work with Teams (in theory, you should be able to answer a call by pressing a button on the right ear) then you'll be disappointed - MS did something and that functionality no longer works and neither MS nor Jabra are taking responsibility for it. It's all over various forums. I spent a long time trying to work out why my headset wasn't working as expected in that regard...

Thanks for the feedback, the headset issue is not a dealbreaker but understand it can be annoying.

TBH, I'll mainly be using the speakerphone but occasionally headset is preferable if I need to walk around the house or client call quality is not great. Good to have that flexibility.

And thanks for mentioning the lighting as I struggle at some times of the day. I'll research this area too so any recommendations would be great.

[vetran]

LM is right on the lighting. I have 3 that manage to minimise the glare on my head mounted solar panel and hide the double chin.

[ladymuck]

I've just treated myself to the Jabra 750 - I'm pretty happy with it and haven't had any complaints. Apparently it can be a bit echo-y, but I had that with myold Plantronics too so I think it's just the nature of it.

Either way, I like it - I like that it's Bluetooth too, and the integrated stand is a nice touch. When I compared it to the cheaper versions it seemed worthwhile to spend that little bit more.

I moved from the Plantronics because I've had nothing but issues with it since I got it a few years back - it was never very good, and the app integration was very flaky

I have a diddy 'in ear' plantronics headset (the voyager legend) which has been really reliable but I get ear ache from that too. As it's so small, that's my travel headset now.

[northernladuk]

I have a diddy 'in ear' plantronics headset (the voyager legend) which has been really reliable but I get ear ache from that too. As it's so small, that's my travel headset now.

At least it's not just your fella getting ear ache in your house then