Plantronics DSP400 Foldable Multimedia Headset

by Plantronics

• Multi use stereo headset with built-in microphone
• Folds easily for convenient storage
• USB plug and play compatible--no sound card required
• Built-in digital signal processor provides enhanced, full-range stereo sound
• Inline digital volume and mute controls for easy access

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.5 x 1.5 inches ; 8.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VEMNRS
• Item model number: 76921-01
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #86 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Computer Accessories > Headsets & Microphones > PC Headsets
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

For enjoying music and interactive voice applications alike, reach for your Plantronics DSP400 digitally enhanced USB foldable Multimedia Stereo Headset. Listening to music, watching videos with sound, orally communicating through the Internet, responding to language programs, and using voice-based security features are all functions commonly used with computers these days, and the DSP400 can handle them all. With the included PerSono audio control center software, you can use the headset to adjust microphone and audio characteristics like volume, bass and treble, launch your favorite voice or audio applications, as well as select audio presets like rock, jazz, or classical, all from a central software interface. The headset also folds for easy storage--an ideal feature for mobile and notebook users. The included software is only compatible with Windows operating systems, but the headset is USB ported for Windows and Mac compatibility.

What's in the Box
DSP400 digitally enhanced USB foldable Multimedia Stereo Headset, USB interface, and software.

Product Description

For passive music enjoyment and interactive voice applications alike, reach for your Plantronics DSP-400 digitally-enhanced USB foldable stereo headset. Listening to music, watching videos with sound, orally communicating through the Internet, responding to language programs, or using voice-based security are all functions commonly used with computers these days. The foldable design allows for easy storage and transport. Listen to your CDs, DVDs, or MP3 files. Its noise-canceling microphone enhances speech accuracy. The PerSono Audio Control Center Software allows users to adjust microphone and audio characteristics like volume, bass and treble, launch their favorite voice or audio applications, as well as select audio presets like rock, jazz or classical, all from a central software interface. The convenient folding mechanism is perfect for mobile use with notebook computers. The included software is for Windows, but headset is USB ported for PC/Mac compatibility.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

138 of 139 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Confusion between Plantronics DSP-400 and DSP-470 November 27, 2009

By Dr. Stuart Cheshire

After more than a year, I'm surprised to see Amazon letting this confusion persist. The old Plantronics DSP-400 connected directly to the computer's USB port, and its volume control and mute buttons were true USB HID (human interface device) controls, so they communicated directly with the computer's OS, which a lot of people like. The newer and cheaper Plantronics DSP-470 is a conventional two-plug analog headset, packaged with a separate USB sound stick to connect it to the computer. If you buy the item on this page, even though it's described as a "Plantronics DSP-400", what you actually get is just the same as the DSP-470, except you're paying about ten dollars more for it. If you want the original DSP-400 with real USB HID controls, you'll need to look elsewhere.

111 of 117 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Incorrect Item June 12, 2008

By Joel Bethke

This item is not what is listed. While the site says DSP400, the headset is actually the one shown here: Plantronics Foldable USB Stereo Headset (Optimized for Laptop Use) (Audio 470 USB). I'm unsure why the box says DSP400 when the .Audio 470 is exactly what the headset is. The microphone works and sounds great, and the headset is just as comfortable as the real DSP400, but instead of being a true USB headset, it has a USB sound-card that you plug the microphone and headphones into. When the volume on the headset is turned all the way up, there is a low buzzing noise that can be heard, which was not present in the original DSP400. Instead of the digital volume control with digital mute button (my favourite part of the original headset, since it controlled default computer volume and not just the headset) there is an analog dial and a slide switch for mute.

I'm not sure why I was sold a fake DSP400 when the .Audio 470 is the same product, but $40 cheaper. I'm disappointed that the one place I found that was advertising the original DSP-400 turned out to be false. I will be returning the headset and investigating what happened.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Does what it's supposed to do February 8, 2008

By J. Youm

It does what it promises to do...clear sound, clear dictation capability (somewhat better than the basic microphone I am using for my speech to text software - Dragon Naturally Speaking), and somewhat comfy earpads. I heard that there are better headsets out there but since this one folds into a relatively small package, it serves my purpose. I travel a lot and have to write a lot of emails, while suffering from carpal tunnel, so this is good enough for me.

Oh, and it makes my Skype session sound so much more clearer than talking over the built-in mic of the laptop.

Jiwon

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Be aware - New version is different from shown, no PerSono May 13, 2008

By W. Sly

I just received my headset from Amazon. The latest version from Plantronics is called the .Audio DSP 400 and is different from what is shown in the Amazon picture. The description also talks about the PerSono equalizer software that Amazon says can be downloaded from Plantronics (this was one reason I chose this headset). The PerSono software has beeen DISCONTINUED by Plantronics and is not compatible with what is now branded as the .Audio DSP 400 headset. There is no replacement software. I haven't used the headset yet so no real perspective on performance.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Very nice sound BUT.... April 23, 2008

By sunman42

Very nice sound from such inexpensive headphones, very lightweight and comfortable in normal use, but I found that the headset simply would not stay put on my head, and kept slipping off over the course of a couple of hours. Worse yet, if I took the headphones off to have a conversation with a live person, and slung the headset around my neck, the folding center section of the frame would inevitably catch and grab short hairs at the back of my neck: OW! I ended up replacing these for normal use with a non-folding pair of Sennheisers, but use the USB DSP interface from these to connect it to my Mac.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great sound, not so good QC and construction June 27, 2008

By PC

Amazon Verified Purchase

I ordered one and it came in defective. The USB adapter was bent and can't be recognized by the PC. I then tried the direct mic/headphone line-in and found out the mic didn't work. The sound quality from the headphones were very good, though.
This is my first time using Amazon's return. It was very easy to ship the defective one back. The new unit arrived in 2 days. No hassle at all.
The new one works well. The mic's sound quality is pretty good, too. However, this product's construction is not sturdy. The folding structure feels flimsy and the sliding adjustment looks if it will fall apart very soon! It also pulls off my hair, too. I often casually toss my $20 Logitech around (on sofa or bed or carpet, that is) and have had no concern of breaking it. I feel this unit needs "Handle with care" warning stickers all over it!
The sound quality is probably 4 or even higher, but the structure and built can only be 2, not counting the questionable QC. That's why I am giving it a 3, regrettably.
One remaining question is that the shipped unit is not exactly the one in the picture. The one I received does not have that good sized in-line DSP module. I do not know if the mechanical structure between the two versions are identical.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Connection method has changed September 24, 2008

By J. Hart

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have a DSP400 that's about 2 years old. One earphone stopped working, but I was happy enough with the unit, it's small fold up size and sound quality, to buy another one.

The new model has changed, though.

Instead of a USB connector, it has a regular 2-wire connection that plugs into an adapter, which, then, plugs into USB. While perhaps more flexible, in that the headset can be plugged into a 2-jack system without the adapter, it's an extra piece that can get lost, and I only use USB.

The new model's output is also stronger than the old one; too strong for command recognition on the Mac. Even at the lowest calibration setting, I have to speak very softly and, still, the commands are only recognized about 50% of the time. The output strength isn't adjustable on either model, unfortunately.

One other note: the USB adapter will only work with the Plantronics head set. I've tried half a dozen other headsets from as many companies. They all have an annoying hum when plugged into the adapter. Typical Plantronics!

For me, the DSP400 drops one star for the overly strong, non-adjustable microphone output, and another for the unnecessarily proprietary and easy to lose USB adapter.