Customer Reviews

Plantronics DSP400 Foldable Multimedia Headset

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

I did not receive the item pictured and described. I received an analog Plantronics headset with a USB adapter, and returned it unopened for a full refund, including shipping, using Amazon's postpaid label. I give it a one-star rating because I have used the digital version and liked it quite a lot, but that's not what they sent me. I rate the digital version at five stars.

Update: I called Plantronics, and they have replaced the pictured and described model# 76921-01 with model# 76921-04. The older model had the pictured silver-colored headset, direct USB connection, inline DSP module, and inline digital mute/volume control that actually controlled the volume through the computer's operating system. The new model is a black analog headset, with an analog inline mute switch and volume wheel. It has a mini-jack for the headphones and another for the microphone. These plug into either the sound card jacks or the included DSP USB adapter.

When I learned that it was a model replacement and not a complete Amazon malfunction, I purchased another one. I do not like it as much as the older model. I liked the way the older model controlled the volume digitally. When I pressed the buttons, the volume bar appeared on my screen and it adjusted the volume for all Windows audio. Also, there is a continuous background interference hum from the new headset's earphones. It modulates according to what is happening on my video screen. That was not there with my previous, older-model headset. I'm returning this one to the factory in hopes that it's a defect of this particular item, not the model itself. The microphone output from this headset seems to be the same quality as the older version. Whispers are easily heard on the other end of the conversation.

Amazon does need to update their pics and description, but a quick google shows that they are far from alone -- I didn't see the new model anywhere.

Until Amazon updates their pics and description, I'm leaving my one-star rating, but I give this new version three stars. Maybe that will change if the replacement doesn't hum.

I have used 6 different headsets for DNS - a couple costing 2 to 3 times as much - with not as positive results. I would recommend this product to anyone using DNS. I do not use it for listening to music so I can not offer any recommendation in this area.

Nice little unit, although the model I received, while labeled a DSP400, is not the same model shown here.

The newer model I received is a bit more flexible, as there is a USB adapter provided, or the ability to plug the headset directly into 1/8" headphone out and mic in connections. That might be a plus, but it's also another piece that can come apart and get lost if you're carrying this around.

Have used this on a Mac laptop running OS X 10.5 as well as a PC laptop running XP, no problems on either, no software needed.