Plantronics MX500i 3-in-1 Headset

Other products by Plantronics

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 2 x 6 inches ; 5.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000I4RMOU
• Item model number: 72517-01
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #3 in

  Electronics > Computers & Accessories > Game Hardware > Microphones, Earphones & Headsets

• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 14, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer
Featuring hands-free versatility and professional-class performance, the MX500i 3-in-1 VoIP Headset lets you make Skype and other Internet calls through your computer, or make calls with your cordless phone or cell phone. Ideal for on-the-go home office professionals, the MX500i offers advanced sound technologies, such as WindSmart microphone technology for reduced wind and fast-motion noise, giving you the professional-class call clarity that your work demands.

A next-generation Flex Grip design offers improved comfort and performance. View larger.

Inline controls for easy volume adjustment and muting.

Hands-Free Talk on Cordless Phones and Cell Phones
Making it easier for the home-office professional to multi-task, the MX500i headset also works with your cordless phone, giving you the flexibility to move about your home office and take calls hands-free. And with its unique 3-in-1 design, the headset also allows you to talk hands-free on your cell simply by plugging it into your cell phone's 2.5 mm jack.

The MX500i headset also has inline controls that allow you to easily mute the headset when necessary. Additionally, a microphone adjust switch lets you optimize speaking and listening volumes, so you'll have a clear conversation regardless of what model of cordless phone you're using.

Professional-Class Clarity for Internet Calls, Web Conferencing, and More
By simply plugging the MX500i into your computer's USB port with the included USB adapter, you are ready to take full advantage of your computer's multi-media features. With this plug-n-play headset, you can make calls via Skype™, Yahoo!® Voice, Google™ Talk, or other VoIP services, and you can join in on Web conferences and calls. While VoIP calls have a reputation for lacking in clarity, the MX500i is designed with advanced sound technologies, allowing your calls to come through echo-free--so you can be confident that you come across clearly and professionally to your clients.

WindSmart Technology for Outstanding Sound Quality Anywhere
Thanks to the headset's integrated WindSmart microphone technology, you don't need to worry about unwanted background noise from wind gusts or fast motion. WindSmart effectively blocks out wind noise for outstanding clarity even in the most challenging environments. So wherever you're working--at home, on the road, or even in the office--you and your caller will experience clear, professional sound quality.

Ergonomic Design Provides All-Day Comfort
The MX500i is designed for all-day comfort, with an ultra-light single earpiece. The headset's under-the-ear Flex Grip™ design hugs your ear for greater comfort and improved performance, and thanks to the one-touch volume and mute buttons, you'll have complete control over your calls.

The MX500i is backed by a one-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
MX500i headset with 2.5 mm phone plug, and a USB adapter.

Inline volume and mute buttons make it easy to control calls.

Product Description
With the MX500i 3-in-1 Headset from Plantronics sound like a Pro even on your phone at home. Let them hear you, not background noise, with a headset that delivers crystal clear sound when using Internet, cordless or mobile phones. Between the WindSmart microphone and Microphone Adjust Switch, you’ll come through loud and clear.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Small, light, lots of cord., January 14, 2007

By	Daniel E. Finley (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Plantronics Mx500i 3 in 1 headset.

I purchased this headset to be used on my computer with Skype and have had it about three days now, making a few calls with it. I'm not an expert in how headsets should `sound', all I know is that I can hear people well and they can hear me. Everyone I've talked to hasn't realized that I'm calling from a computer or using a headset.

The headset itself is pretty light and sits on my ear well. The back of my ear did get a little sore after an hour the first time using it but I adjusted the position and the soreness went away. Even though the piece hangs off the ear I don't feel any real weight and it's incredibly comfortable to the point where I forget I'm wearing it. It also fits very snugly against my ear and there's no wobbling of any kind when I move my head. I actually leave in on when I'm working and not making calls because it's more bothersome to take it on and off then leave it in.

From the picture you can see that the back of the piece is grey which is a soft, flexible rubber. This is the part that sits behind the ear and holds the piece in place. The earbud swivels left or right allowing you to put it in either ear and has a bit of soft rubber on it although it seems to be more for design then function. The swivel is downward with a 180 degrees range from the horizontal position. The tube coming out of the piece which carries your voice to the receiver is set in a ball that can pivot depending on where you want the microphone to sit. It can also be turned to accommodate whichever ear you want to use. The head of the tube or `the microphone' is covered in a hard, porous, foam. When placed in the ear the tube comes down to about the corner of my mouth.

The cord that comes out of the headset has various attachments on it to adjust volume and the like. The cord can be broken up into two pieces. Part One extends from the headset and runs about four feet to the 2.5mm phone plug. This is the plug that can be put into a normal, cordless household telephone. This plug also plugs into Part Two of the cord which seems to be pretty long (five feet or longer?) and transforms into the USB portion that plugs into your computer.

On Part One of the cord is a clip to attach to your shirt to create stability. The clip can slide up and down on the cord between the headset and the volume control switch. Below the clip, about sixteen inches from the headset, is a volume control switch which is about an inch and three quarters long. The switch has a volume control wheel in the side, a mute button and a tiny, recessed, microphone boost switch in which you'd need a paperclip or pen tip to switch.

On Part Two of the cord is the 2.5mm phone plug receiver. A few feet away from that is a black plastic `something' about three and a half inches long and an inch wide. I'm guessing this is what digitizes you voice. From there, the cord extends about a foot until it turns into the USB plug.

Also to note, Part One of the cord is very similar to the thin headphone style cords with the double wire coating. Beginning on Part Two, the cord becomes thicker into a single coated cord and the last foot, after the plastic `something' it becomes even thicker before turning into the USB plug.

So far I like this headset a lot. I've read complaints as to its size and, when comparing it to a Bluetooth headset, they'd be right but I'm coming from an over the head style headset which means it's smaller then what I'm used to. It's incredibly light and comfortable. There's was some soreness at the back of the ear initially but maybe it was because I wasn't use to it. I like that I can unplug the 2.3mm plug and walk around the house while leaving the piece in my ear. I also like that I can put it in either ear in case one gets tired.

I haven't found a quick way to put it in my ear yet, wrestling with the soft rubber and the cartilage in my ear but once it's in it's fine and I usually just leave it in.

Something to note: I purchased my headset from Circuit City, a major electronic retail store. The first one I purchased had a manufacturing defect, one of the wires was exposed through the rubber. Luckily they had another one I could exchange it for. This might be something you want to keep in mind in case you're purchasing online.

The product is perfect for what I need. The only improvement I'd request is 1. A case, because I like to go to the café and work and I'd be worried about throwing it in my bag without some type of protective covering, and 2. a shorter Part Two cord. Again, going to the café to work and make calls, pulling out a 6+ foot cord is a little unwieldy. I'd even opt for purchasing a shorter version of Part Two.

So, all in all, it's great for use at home but too much cord for using anywhere else. I really like the product. Works well for me, light, and not as `huge' an earpiece as other reviewers led me to believe.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just what I wanted, December 2, 2006

By	Peter Hoagland "phoaglan" (Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I prefer a wired headest to wireless. Have never had good results with wireless headsets. I also wanted a product that I could use on my home phone and with the computer for web cam. Most headsets either have the 2.5mm connector for phone or 3.5mm for computer. The Plantronics MX500i has a 2.5mm and adapts to USB for the computer.

Best of all, the sound quality is very good. People that I have called say it sounds excellent with little echo or background noise.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Headset, October 24, 2007

By	K. Kalyanam "Internet Professor" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The under the ear feature works very well. The headset is very stable.

The swing arm on the mike provides excellent audio quality. The swing feature is really useful in adjusting the mike closer or away from your mouth.

I have used it in my car on my cell phone, on my desk with my landline and with Skype (the USB adapter is real handy). Great results everywhere. No one says it sounds like I am using a headset, I am cutting out etc. The incoming sound quality has also been fantastic. Really beats the quality on my expensive blue tooth headset.

The cord has a microphone volume adjustment, a mute feature and a volume control. All work well and are very handy.

Great product, highly recommend it.