Sennheiser SH230 Monaural Headset with Microphone

by Sennheiser

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 8 inches ; 7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0006688ZM
• Item model number: SH230
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 5, 2004

Product Description

When you have to concentrate and attention to detail is important, Sennheiser headsets help you stay on the job. Light and comfortable to wear, you are free to work without distraction. Reliable, high quality performance and design from Sennheiser proved

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Been using 5 days a week for over 2 years now, February 14, 2011

By 

J. S. Carr (Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sennheiser SH230 Monaural Headset with Microphone (Electronics)

I use this headset every day for work with my VOIP phone. I bought it after getting tired of my ear getting hot and burny from the regular handset, to say nothing of the neck cramps from trying to pull up things on the computer screen for vendors and customers to help them.

The sound quality is excellent, far superior to the regular phone handset. There are a lot of bottlenecks for sound quality in any phone system (including the phone system of whoever you're talking to!) and I would be very surprised if this headset turned out to be your bottleneck. Chances are you will notice an increase from any stock set you're using now, though because there are a ton of other barriers to perfect quality don't expect any headset to be able to make a phone call sound like you're in the same room as someone.

The headset itself is comfortable. I normally take it off between calls but not all the time. I've had it on for hours at a time and it doesn't develop any pain or anything. The adjustable head band does a good job keeping the speaker pressed securely against your ear but with very very minimal pressure. The microphone can be adjusted to a comfortable distance from your mouth too and doesn't need to be so close that you can't, say, easily take a drink of water with it on. I keep mine maybe an inch or two away from my face by the corner of my mouth so I'm not really aware of it and people don't have any problem hearing me.

I also like that the microphone can swing up or down on a hinge to get out of the way if need be without changing how you've adjusted the bendy arm.

There is a handy clip on the cord that I keep set just to the right of my mouse pad so it doesn't get in the way of mouse usage, another nice touch.

I don't generally use the quick (dis-)connect system. It is obviously well designed and would be useful if someone needed to switch stations often but I think it is more about being able to use the headset with any connector you need than it is anticipated people actually need to frequently re-connect their headset. Much easier to just pop a screw into a shelf or a tack on a cubicle and hang your headset on that when not in use. Regardless though it is consistent with the product being very thoughtfully designed every step of the way.

3.0 out of 5 stars Great sound, but flimsy, August 11, 2010

By 

D. Fiel (Portland area, OR, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sennheiser SH230 Monaural Headset with Microphone (Electronics)

So I had a Plantronics M175C headset, which worked OK, but the mike was no good unless it was almost in my mouth. This SH-230 headset has a great mike, so that is no longer a problem. It also has a better earphone, so I can hear the conversation much better.

However, there are few downsides. First is that the side support is really flimsy. I dropped the headset ONCE, from about 2 feet off my desk, and the piece snapped off. Turns out that it is held on by about 4 mm2 of plastic. This appears to be a known problem by Sennheiser, because they sell replacement side supports, http://www.amazon.com/Acc-headsets-side-support-SoHo/dp/B00382BU1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281561671&sr=8-1. Search for TPS-03 to find other sources.

Second, the headset requires a Sennheiser amplifier or extension cable, since it only comes with the Sennheiser quick disconnect plug. I used the extension with a standard 3/32" headset plug: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-CCEL190-2-Dect-gsm-Cable/dp/B000IXTEAQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281561325&sr=8-2 So, with the headset, cable, and replacement supports, this becomes a pretty pricey solution.

Third, the headset is barebones compared to other models in the same price range. Of course, they want you to buy their amplifiers, so it does not include a volume control or mute switch. Thankfully, I can use those features on my phone, but it was much more convenient to have them closer at hand.

So, it is what I had to have, so that callers could hear me, but I would have preferred better build quality and features.

4.0 out of 5 stars Solved an aggravatilng problem., August 12, 2009

By 

Steve (Wilmette, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sennheiser SH230 Monaural Headset with Microphone (Electronics)

For months, my clients complained they couldn't hear me when I was on headset. I went through several headsets, all of which plugged into the phone. No luck. I tried a Plantronics head set, with amplifier, which plugged in between the phone and hand-set. I took it back. I also changed phones several times with no luck. Finally, I got a Sennheiser UI760 amplifier. Due to the proprietary connectors, the easiest -- and perhaps only -- match is (Amazement! Shock!) a Sennheiser headset. Enter the SH230.

I've had this set-up for about a month, and I've had no more complaints. The headset is fine: good, clear Sennheiser sound, if a bit on the harsh and hissy side. The boom mike is well shielded, and the earphone is nicely padded. The headset's over-the-head piece is thin, springy steel which is comfortable enough, but looks cheesy. A headset this expensive should have better. Four stars for audibility, adjustability, clarity -- and a solution to an aggravating problem.