Logitech ClearChat Wireless USB Headset - Black

by Logitech

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 10.8 x 3.3 inches ; 1.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0015EY5RE
• Item model number: 981-000068
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (272 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #63 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Accessories > Headsets & Microphones
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Enjoy high-performance, stereo audio for PC calling, music, and games from up to 33 feet away from your computer.

Overview

		Performance 2.4 GHz wireless: Move freely up to 33 feet (10 meters) away from your computer. Laser-tuned audio drivers: Advanced laser design technology delivers high-quality, uncompressed, stereo audio. Noise-canceling microphone: Reduces background noise for clear conversations and voice commands.
		Control Quick-access audio controls: Adjust volume and microphone mute right on the headset. Flexible boom: Bend the boom for optimal microphone placement. Rotate-to-mute: Microphone automatically mutes when rotated up and out of the way.
		Convenience Simple setup: Installation takes just seconds with the included USB wireless transmitter – no software or pairing required. Plush headband and ear pads: Enjoy exceptional comfort for hours on end. Microphone mute light: Microphone tip softly glows when muted.
		Versatility For use with: PC games; movies; music; and common calling applications including Skype®, Yahoo!®, Windows Live™, and AIM®.

System Requirements

• PC
  • Windows® 2000, Windows® XP, Windows Vista®
  • USB port
• Mac
  • Mac OS® X (10.2.8 or later)
  • USB port

Technical Specifications

• Frequency response
  • Headset: 20-20,000 Hz
  • Microphone: 100-10,000 Hz
• Sensitivity:
  • 62 dBV/µBar
  • 42 dBV/PA +/-3 dB
• Wireless Protocol: 2.4 GHz
• USB compatible (1.1 and 2.0)

Package Contents

• Logitech® ClearChat PC Wireless™
• USB wireless transmitter
• Wireless transmitter stand
• AC charger
• Quick-start guide
• 2-year limited warranty

Product Description

Enjoy rechargeable, high-performance, stereo audio for PC calling, music, and games from up to 33 feet away from your computer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

519 of 542 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bad design choices., September 5, 2008

By 

T. Hassler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Logitech ClearChat Wireless USB Headset - Black (Personal Computers)

This headset had me hooked and I preordered it months before I finally got it. I didn't want to review it until I put it through it's paces. Sadly it comes up short in more ways than I expected. But I'm a fair guy, so let's start with the Positive:

1) It's cordless, gets decent range ~10m in my testing.
2) The sound quality of the headset and the mic are both pretty good (i.e. no complaints in game chat).
3) Headset cushions are top notch.
4) Quality construction - they aren't breaking anytime soon.
5) I was impressed with the ease of setting them up. Plug in the USB dongle, turn them on, set games to use the new headset.

And on to the negative:
1) Granted, I have a fairly big melon, but these have a really tight fit and start to fatigue the ears after a few hours of wear.
2) The Battery life is not much over 3.5 hours in my testing. It doesn't matter what app. I found myself plugging in the power cable to continue (what's the point of cordless?!) and shutting them down even for quick breaks while idle in games.
3) No interchangeable batteries (well, I didn't take them apart to see, but then the case isn't made to be taken apart).
4) Proprietary power cable? Come on! Why this wasn't mini USB, I'll never understand.
5) The Mic only comes down on the left hand side, which I find to be an annoying engineering limitation for no particular purpose.
6) Mic is static - no way to flex it other than up or down. Though it seems to pic up my voice fairly well.
7) I didn't think this was a big deal at first, but now It might be the most annoying thing: The USB Dongle connected to the computer FLASHES green incessantly until the headset is turned on and they sync. Now, I'm a computer guy, I've a truckload of LEDs that keep the office well lit at night, but NONE of them blink and draw attention to themselves except for a few moments. This stupid thing won't stop. I have to put things in front of it to keep it from annoying me.

So, I'm disappointed in this thing. Logitech makes good gear, but engineering needs to review this one and make the following changes for version 2:
1) Use standard USB to power the headset. If you must have a charge indicator, just build it into the headset as another LED and forget the proprietary cable.
2) If you have to drop both earpieces to fit a larger head, there should be an adjustable top pad so it stays in place.
3) Make it so that the mic can flip either way, and the Left/Right speakers change accordingly.
4) Beef up the battery power and make it so it charges faster. 3 hours? Come on... even 6 hours isn't much for marathon MMORPGs or LAN Parties, and your headset came nowhere near that mark. It's not cordless if I have to keep the power cable plugged in. Suggestion: 12 Hours minimum, even if it adds to bulk a little bit. And that's actual 12 hours, not some mathematical estimate.
5. Use two different colored lights on the USB dongle instead of flashing the same one. How expensive can that be?

And for those of us that wear glasses, please make a model with convex earpieces, the concave ones put pressure at the top of the ear and they smash the earpiece of your glasses against the skull. Unpleasant. Okay, this one's more of a wish, but the others above are absolutely requisite.

There you have it. The decent sound quality, construction, and cordlessness don't come close to outweighing the technical issues. I'd give this a 2.5, but when it costs close to a hundo, the price factor says all of these things should never have been a problem. If the next version sucks the same, I'll be looking for another manufacturer (and I'm a Logitech fan).

83 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wireless stereo headset done right, August 4, 2008

By 

Theodore G. Palmer "Gerry" (New Britain, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logitech ClearChat Wireless USB Headset - Black (Personal Computers)

I just got my Logitech ClearChat Wireless headset today, and so far so good. It is the third wireless stereo headset I've tried and it is by far the best of all three. After using my first two wireless headsets, I switched back to my wired one due to echos during Skype calls, poor headset volume (I had trouble hearing people), and low mic volume (people had trouble hearing me). I haven't experienced any of these problems with my new headset. Of the four calls I've made so far (3 Skype to Skype and one SkypeOut) the only comment I received was that I sounded a little more "electronic" then normal. To be fair, the same person who mentioned this, also asked for the product info at the end of the call. Below is a summary of the pros and cons that I have found so far.

Pros:
Audio sounds great (using both Skype and iTunes)
No echo when used with Skype
Volume is more than adequate and louder than my previous wired headset
Comfortable fit (my wife disagrees with me here)
Easy to use volume controls on headset
Slightly better than advertised range (I got about 35-40 feet from the USB dongle before losing reception)

Cons:
Although the range seems to be a little better than advertised, I'd love to see a wireless headset that gets twice this range.


Update:
I've been using this headset every day for the past 9 months (mostly for Skype) and it has worked great up until today. All of a sudden the headset started making a funny buzzing sound. I removed the headset turned it off and on and noticed the power light was red. I plugged in the headset and it remained red. The buzzing noise has stopped, but now the headset won't turn on. Looks like it's back to my trusty wired headset for now :(

70 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect, August 5, 2008

By 

Gilkman "I love a nice Appletini..." (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Logitech ClearChat Wireless USB Headset - Black (Personal Computers)

I received mine today. Work just fine with all of the applications I have tested....iTunes, Ventrilo, World of Warcraft, etc. My Vent buddies tell me they sound better than the wired headset I was previously using.

I can get out of range when moving laterally 25 feet or so, but it re-acquires the signal after I move upstairs and get within 20 or so feet line of sight.

Setup was super easy; plug in the dongle, turn on the headset, and DONE.

Very happy with this purchase; Headset is light and comfortable. The boom mic will not interfere with pizza slices or martini glasses.

I only wish the volume/mute controls were on the left side so I wouldn't have to take my hand off my mouse - lefties rejoice!

Agree with previous comments regarding adjustability for large heads...I wish it had an extra 1/2 inch to expand; hence only 4 stars.