Customer Reviews

Plantronics PC Headset Speaker Switch

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Great product, but with one glaring discrepancy: The microphone port is disabled when the switch is set to speaker output. This assumes the user won't use a microphone simultaneously with speakers, which in fact I do quite often. Other than that, a very handy device.

Other reviews claiming mono are wrong - when I first plugged it in I too noticed all the sound coming out of only 1 channel. However I then pushed the plug fully and firmly in and it works fully in stereo confirmed by several tests and hasn't reverted back.

Sound quality?

I bought 2 of these, since I have surround sound headphones (Zalman 5.1s) and good speakers (Klipsch Promedia 4.1s) to switch between. This is combined with an Audigy 2 ZS sound card so I was very concerned about losing any quality. After comparing several sources (mp3's, speaker tests, games) with and without the switch, I'm personally not able to discern any difference in sound quality so far in the hours I've used it.

In short works in stereo and can save a lot of hassle constantly changing plugs in the back of your PC. Definitely recommended.

Having this switch spares a lot of groping around trying to change from headphones to speakers. One flick of a switch and you go easily back and forth. I notice no sound loss, interference or distortion.

Good, solid product.

A simple device. Plugs into the sound card and allows you to choose either the computer speakers or a headset. Works well when the kids want to play computer games with the volume up. The switch has been attached to my PC for four months. It does what the product description says it will do. It is easy to hook up.

This device can also be used with any audio unit (for example, a portable CD player) that has a mini-plug output jack--enabling you to switch from headphones to, say, amplified speakers, without the aggravating ritual of removing one plug from the playback unit and inserting the other (and wearing out the jack in the process); and at the computer, it can be used for instantly switching from those typically weak (but often useful) built-in monitor speakers to more powerful desktop speakers, as source material and circumstances demand. (Of course, you'll need one switch for each such arrangement.) A marvelously simple and simply marvelous device, with more uses than Plantronics chooses to advertise.

I was tired of reaching behind the desk in order to unplug the speakers and plugging the headphones in (my front headset connectors don't work), so this device came to the rescue. It's simple, but it does exactly what you need. It doesn't get 5 stars because of the following reason: 1) microphone jack is not active when set to output sound to the speakers. They should have added 4 jacks, two for mics and two for audio out. 2) it's too light. The mere weight of the wires is enough to make it tilt backwards on the desk. My solution was, at first, to move it further closer to me (more wires showing, ick). The second solution was to tape it down to the desk.

This little device is really helpful for switching audio hardware quickly. I bought it to switch on to voice chat so that others in the house would not have to hear all the chatter that comes with gaming. I also wanted an easy way to switch back to the computer speakers. This product accomplishes its purpose pretty effectively. As another reviewer mentioned, it is a slight drawback that moving to speaker mode switches off the microphone. If you plan to use your microphone in conjunction with your speakers (that is... you are not using a headset mic and don't have feedback problems) then this product is not that helpful to you.

Anyhow, the construction is just fine, though it feels a bit cheap. In summary, it does what it is supposed to do. But it could be better.

I finally got fed up with crawling under my desk to reach the back of my PC to disconnect the speakers and switch to my headset so I bought this. No problems with the switch so far at all, and no noticeable degradation in sound. Cheap and effective!

I am a professional graphic artist and avid gamer as well. But because of my desk setup it's extremely difficult to keep trying to crawl under my desk and switch headphones to speakers. Answer? I searched for the company that produces my great headphones - Plantronics. This switch is perfectly suited for my needs. Simple to hook up, intuitive, and great sound. For those who complained about mono out of this switch I would advise making sure that you have it plugged in properly and all the way. The switch works just fine, stereo and all. No complaints! Thanks Plantronics!

I have found that any time I plug my headset directly to my computer I get 100 percent loss-less sound. When I use my headset through the Plantronics switch I hear a faint buzzing or interference for my sound, for me as a gamer I find the loss in sound quality unacceptable...so I have resigned to leave this product disconnected from my computer.