55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
Lives up to usual Plantronics Quality
I received apparently one of the first Plantronics CT14 cordless headset telephones, and the bottom line is that there are no big surprises, which means I like the telephone given that I had high expectations in view of my previous experience with Plantronics quality. I did not have either of the previous models, CT12 or CT10, so I cannot compare to those. However at my...
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
Cheap headset, really a phone
They put all their effort into creating a phone (without a mouthpiece) and added a really cheap headset onto it. If you want a lot of dialing features to carry around the house with you (caller ID, auto dialing, etc) then the phone part of this is okay (my portable phones all do these things, and are only a bit heavier). But I wanted really good sound, and this doesn't...
This review is from: Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone (CT14) (Electronics)
I received apparently one of the first Plantronics CT14 cordless headset telephones, and the bottom line is that there are no big surprises, which means I like the telephone given that I had high expectations in view of my previous experience with Plantronics quality. I did not have either of the previous models, CT12 or CT10, so I cannot compare to those. However at my office for a number of years I have been using a CS10 cordless headset system which works with a multi-line telephone, and I have become quite addicted to using a headset. Based on what I think is an objective test, the audio quality and volume of the CT14 are superb. The way I test that is to call my own voicemail and, during the same call, switch between various telephones while leaving a message. Then I listen to the recorded message, again switching among various telephones. That lets me hear the quality for myself, without relying on a person I am talking to for a report. One characteristic I am pleased to see included is that it is possible to chain dial from recorded numbers in the "phonebook." Thus, when I use a calling card with a 1-800 access number I can then access the PIN in the phonebook to have that dialed as well, followed by the number of the person I am calling. With some other telephones, after you have used the "phonebook" and the call is in progress, the directory scrolling keys change to a different function (e.g. volume) and all the remaining numbers must be dialed by hand. The only negative thing I have to say about the CT14 is that there is a higher level of background noise than I am accustomed to, which I suspect (but do not know for sure) is an inherent part of the DECT 6.0 technology which uses a single frequency band for both sides of the conversation, and uses time division duplex. So, digitally, a lot is going on behind the scenes, and I think I am hearing digital artifacts. This is mitigated somewhat because there is ample volume. So the volume can be turned down, which reduces the background noise, while still being able to hear the person on the other side. At some point I may compare to another DECT 6.0 telephone, or attempt to see what Plantronics has on this issue. (Update: I called Plantronics and a very pleasant rep assured me that the background noise I am hearing is not normal. The background should be quiet. He gave me an RMA number to send back the telephone for a replacement, but before I do that I am going to try the telephone someplace else. It is possible there is some sort of electrical interference unique to my house. Now that I finally have this telephone, I am very reluctant to part with it for any length of time. I really like it.) Earlier complaints regarding the predecessor CT12 concerned interference with Wi-Fi networks, and it seems clear that is not a problem with the CT14. The CT14 operates on a different frequency band (1920-1930 MHz versus 2400-2500 MHz), and that is an advertised feature of the CT14.
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This review is from: Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone (CT14) (Electronics)
This is a great little phone, especially the fact that it's hands-free. I suffer from hand pain, and it seems that Plantronics is the only company still making a hands-free phone. I hope they always do.
I already have the CT11 model, made a few years ago. The CT14 is basically the same design, but they have made improvements over the CT11. The buttons are a little larger, and the paint contrast on them makes the lettering much easier to see. The screen is larger, and also easier to read. I need a magnifying glass to read the CT11 screen. Really.
The new feature I like the best is the Over-The-Ear headset. It's always been awkward putting a regular headset on quickly enough to answer the phone while it's ringing. The over-the ear headset is so simple and fast to use, I just slip it on my ear and talk.
The new DECT 6.0 is true to its claims that there is no interference. If I turn the microwave oven on while using the CT11, I have to leave the kitchen because of interference. The CT14 has no such problem. I haven't tested its 300 ft range, yet.
One thing odd about this phone is the `tin can' sound of caller's voices. I can hear them clearly, they just sort of sound like they are talking in a tin can. It's not so bad that I can't get used to it, though.
The first phone I received was defective, and amazon was very helpful in coordinating a replacement phone. The problem with it was that the ringer volume (set on High) was so low, I had to be within 2-3 feet to hear it. My replacement phone is a little better, but not a whole bunch. I still need to be within about 10 feet to hear it. I don't know if this is the trend with newer phones, but with an aging baby boomer population, I think they should reconsider their design. I'm not hard of hearing, but if I've got the TV on, it takes a couple of rings before I realize that the little ringing sound is coming from my phone!
Even with the couple of issues with this phone, I think it deserves five stars. I want to make sure Plantronics doesn't stop making these headset phones!
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I received apparently one of the first Plantronics CT14 cordless headset telephones, and the bottom line is that there are no big surprises, which means I like the telephone given that I had high expectations in view of my previous experience with Plantronics quality. I did not have either of the previous models, CT12 or CT10, so I cannot compare to those. However at my office for a number of years I have been using a CS10 cordless headset system which works with a multi-line telephone, and I have become quite addicted to using a headset. Based on what I think is an objective test, the audio quality and volume of the CT14 are superb. The way I test that is to call my own voicemail and, during the same call, switch between various telephones while leaving a message. Then I listen to the recorded message, again switching among various telephones. That lets me hear the quality for myself, without relying on a person I am talking to for a report. One characteristic I am pleased to see included is that it is possible to chain dial from recorded numbers in the "phonebook." Thus, when I use a calling card with a 1-800 access number I can then access the PIN in the phonebook to have that dialed as well, followed by the number of the person I am calling. With some other telephones, after you have used the "phonebook" and the call is in progress, the directory scrolling keys change to a different function (e.g. volume) and all the remaining numbers must be dialed by hand. The only negative thing I have to say about the CT14 is that there is a higher level of background noise than I am accustomed to, which I suspect (but do not know for sure) is an inherent part of the DECT 6.0 technology which uses a single frequency band for both sides of the conversation, and uses time division duplex. So, digitally, a lot is going on behind the scenes, and I think I am hearing digital artifacts. This is mitigated somewhat because there is ample volume. So the volume can be turned down, which reduces the background noise, while still being able to hear the person on the other side. At some point I may compare to another DECT 6.0 telephone, or attempt to see what Plantronics has on this issue. (Update: I called Plantronics and a very pleasant rep assured me that the background noise I am hearing is not normal. The background should be quiet. He gave me an RMA number to send back the telephone for a replacement, but before I do that I am going to try the telephone someplace else. It is possible there is some sort of electrical interference unique to my house. Now that I finally have this telephone, I am very reluctant to part with it for any length of time. I really like it.) Earlier complaints regarding the predecessor CT12 concerned interference with Wi-Fi networks, and it seems clear that is not a problem with the CT14. The CT14 operates on a different frequency band (1920-1930 MHz versus 2400-2500 MHz), and that is an advertised feature of the CT14.
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This review is from: Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone (CT14) (Electronics)
I work from home and spend at least 6 hours a day on conference calls. I couldn't work without my Plantronics cordless headset phone. I recently replaced my several year old CT12 model due to frustrations with battery life. Even with replacement batteries in the CT12 they just weren't lasting. The CT14 does everything my CT12 did while giving me longer talk time. No more battery failure mid conference call. My only complaint is they moved the mute button and it took me about 3 days to get used to the new location. Highly recommended product for those who spend a lot of time on the phone and don't want to be tied to their desk.
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This review is from: Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone (CT14) (Electronics)
Bought this phone to replace a dying Radio Shack cordless headset phone, which was the best of this type of phone I have ever owned. The Radio Shack ET-3906 had all the features I wanted in a phone, but was discontinued a long while ago.
I tried this Plantronics phone based on all the good reviews, and it is a good phone with much better technology than the Radio Shack phone, however, it lacks two key features for me.
The reason I need a cordless headset phone is so I can be mobile while talking. I need to have both my hands free, and be able to make and receive calls while moving throughout my home.
This phone lacks a speed-dial, 10 key memory dialing feature. I had programmed all 10 keys of the Radio Shack to handle my multiple bank accounts information. This was so helpful to me to be able to simply press the numbered keypads on the phone to enter the lengthy account information. If I had realized this phone lacked such a common feature, I would not have bought it. It is critically important for me to have this feature, and many if not most phones today give you that feature.
This phone also lacks a flip-up waist clip, so as it is clipped to your waistband, it is upside-down. If I need to access the keypad for any reason, (make another call, access the call waiting feature, ending a call, muting the phone, etc.) I have to remove it to do so. This is stupid. The Radio Shack phone had a flip-up face, and while it was on your waistband, when you looked down at it, the phone's dial pad was facing you, so you could clearly use the keypad of the phone.
I understand the Plantronics Calisto Pro offers both a speed-dial and flip-up waist clip, but at a very steep price. My Radio Shack phone offered me all these features and more, for under $50.00.
Lastly, the Plantronics phone is not shielded, so when my husband's cell phone is about to receive an incoming call, my Plantronics phone makes a horrid buzzing sound in my ear, totally disrupting my call. The Radio Shack phone never did this. For two people who work out of the home as my husband and I do, this interference is extremely annoying.
So while I like this phone for the hands-free feature, as far as I can tell, there are no other options out there. Plantronics seems to be the only company making this type of phone now. A cordless headset phone should be available from all manufacturers. Once you use this type of phone, you can never go back to one that has to be hand held, or wedged into the area between your ear and shoulder.
I think Plantronics could do better with this phone. I hope they make some improvements to this model. I refuse to pay the enormous price they want for the Calisto Pro. Plus, it is not a shielded phone either, so the interference issue would continue.
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This review is from: Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone (CT14) (Electronics)
I've been using the Plantronics CT10 since that model came out quite a few years ago. The battery was finally starting to die; the expense of replacing the battery was about half the cost of the new CT14 so I figured I'd just get the new phone. The CT14 has some significant improvements to the earlier version.
1) The big improvement is in sound quality. With the CT10, if you left the dial pad in the dock while on the phone, you'd hear clicking - something related to the charging circuit. This was particularly annoying because if the battery ran out during a long conference call, you had no choice but to leave the phone in the dock. With the CT14, there's no noise whether the dial pad is in the dock or not.
2) The touchpad itself is improved. With the CT10, pushing a button sometimes resulted in a touchtone, but sometimes not. The CT14's dialpad is markedly improved. You still need very small fingers, so those with large fingers may have trouble pushing individual buttons. There's a screen on the CT14 dialpad too, another improvement, and it's backlit so as to be easily read in darkened environments.
3) There is a choice of various ringtones and volumes, another nice improvement.
4) The mute setting on the CT10 left you listening to a repetitive beeping sound. That was very annoying since muting usually means that you're trying to have another conversation during a conference call. Listening to beeping then isn't what you want. The CT14 doesn't have the beeps; rather you simply have a note on the screen telling you that you're muted. Excellent.
5) The phone blinks to advise you that you have messages - this works well with a VoIP system. I use Vonage and the CT14 tells me if I have messages waiting.
Range, comfort, etc., are all very good. It would be nice if we could eventually lose the wire between the headset and the dial pad since I'm always catching the wire on doorknobs and other items as I walk about while on the phone. It was definitely worth upgrading from the earlier model.
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This review is from: Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone (CT14) (Electronics)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program(What's this?)
The CT14 Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone is the new version of the Plantronics CT12 which I have happily used for the last six years. I expected that the CT14 would be an all around improved cordless headset phone with more features and even better sound quality than the CT12. The CT14 does indeed have more features but my experience with the new CT14 is that its predecessor- the CT12- was on the whole, a better headset phone with better sound quality. This was very surprising and disappointing for me.
Plantronics has made an excellent name for itself in the cordless headset phone market with innovative products and customer service/technical support which is second to none in my opinion. Unfortunately, the Plantronics CT14 disappointed me in the two most important areas- sound quality and the comfort of the headset.
Even though Plantronics CT14 uses a DECT 6.0 system which is supposed to block out audio interferences, I found the phone to have a constant, low level background noise with intermittent snaps and crackles. I would rate the CT14's sound quality as mediocre. By comparison, the older CT12 is has superior sound quality with interference present only when I was near a microwave that was on.
The headset supplied with the CT14 can be used in two ways- over the ear and over the head. I initially tried using the over the ear configuration. Quite frankly, I couldn't stand it. It hung off my ear in an extremely loose fashion with the microphone coming to rest under my chin and the headset just flopped around. I then switched configurations to "over the head" with an attached band which sits on top of the head- this is how I have used the CT12 for six years. Although the CT14 over the head configuration is very stable I was very disappointed to find that it is so tight that my ear begins to hurt after about thirty minutes. In comparison, I can use my old Plantronics CT12 over the head apparatus for many hours with no discomfort at all. Maybe the CT14's over the head headset needs breaking in and will loosen up with time, but I doubt this. No break in period was necessary for the CT12. I have taken the headset from my old CT12 and put it on the CT14. That solved the comfort issue but it doesn't speak very well for this product.
In conclusion, the CT14 seems to be a step backward from its predecessor, the CT12. However, for someone who has no experience with the previous model- the CT12- the CT14 would probably get a higher rating than I am giving it. Sound quality is very subjective and others may find the CT14's sound quality to be just fine. My problem is that I have a previous Plantronics cordless headset phone to compare the sound to, thus the criticism. ThePlantronics CT14 does have a much improved and wonderful variety of features and it is just so liberating to have a cordless handset phone. Since beginning use with the CT12 in 2003, I have often said to those with conventional phones that once you experience a hands free cordless telephone in your home, there is no going back to a regular phone where you have to use your hands (or worse yet, your shoulder) to hold the phone. I can talk on the CT14 while working with my computer and I can walk around my home with no restrictions while not straining my neck or hands. It is definitely an addictive experience. Also on a positive note, the CT14 has excellent battery life, a terrific manual, the telephone unit is small and very portable (you can slip it in your pocket or use the attached belt clip) and overall it is very easy to use. Even though I'm disappointed in some ways with the CT14, I would still purchase another Plantronics cordless headset phone in the future as I do believe Plantronics is the best brand on the market.
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This review is from: Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone (CT14) (Electronics)
They put all their effort into creating a phone (without a mouthpiece) and added a really cheap headset onto it. If you want a lot of dialing features to carry around the house with you (caller ID, auto dialing, etc) then the phone part of this is okay (my portable phones all do these things, and are only a bit heavier). But I wanted really good sound, and this doesn't have it. It has one of those mikes that doesn't make it all the way to your mouth, and the "volume control" is in the phone with only 3 levels - not enough to help.
I followed another reviewer's idea and called into my voicemail from this phone, and from several others in the same call. Then I listened on different phones. This one is slightly better than the $20 headset I was trying to replace, but worlds worse than just talking into a regular phone. Not worth $100!
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This review is from: Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone (CT14) (Electronics)
I work from home, and I am on the phone 7-9 hours a day. My previous cordless phone worked well except for the fact that the battery would die about 3/4 of the way through my work day. I read the reviews of the CT14, and noted that the manufacturer's specs said that the battery life was ~10 hours. I was dubious, but having had good experiences with Plantronics in previous workplaces, I gave it a try.
The phone itself is wonderfully lightweight and small, which allows me to dispense with the included belt clip and just put it in my pocket. The display is bright and easy to read, and operating it is simple and straightforward. The included headset can double as over-the-head or on-ear, and does so very simply.
After the initial setup and testing, I sat it on the charger overnight. The next day, I spent my usual +/- 8 hours on the phone, and then spent an additional 2 hours talking with a friend while we gamed online. The battery indicator NEVER dropped below full, and there was no practical indication -- like less range or gradual worsening of sound quality -- that the battery was anything but fully charged and at 100% strength. To this day, I have yet to see it fall to half-strength, even after a full 12 hours of use.
The only drawbacks to the phone are the small keypad, which takes fat-fingered people like me a bit of getting used to, and the display doesn't add any sort of separators to the entered phone numbers, so if you want to see 1-213-555-1212, you're going to be disappointed when you see 12135551212.
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This review is from: Plantronics Cordless Headset Phone (CT14) (Electronics)
I got a CT12 (unless it was a CT10) back in 2000. I loved it: it saved my neck from the pain associated with tilting my neck to hold a phone between my shoulder and my ear. The sound quality was great. The phone worked whether docked in its charger or while roaming the house. The sound quality was exceptional. the only problem I ever had with it was that I dropped it all the time and finally, after years of abuse, I killed it. (In fact, I had two of these phones between 2000 and 2010, when I finally decided I couldn't squeeze anymore life out of the second one, also a victim of falls.) Compared to the older models, this CT14 is a terrible disappointment. I'm using it in the same location, yet now there is a constant irritating sound in the background. And it cannot be used while docked in the charger. May not sound like a big issue. But to answer these phones, one has to get the headset on, then press the talk button before the call goes to voicemail. With the old model, those were the only steps. With the CT14, there is a 3rd step -- pull the phone out of the charger, get the headset on, then press talk. It's not so easy to do that quickly, especially when the headset plug can pull out of the phone quite easily. Also, if you're using the phone and inadvertently put it back in the charger because you're using it while sitting at the desk where the charger is, the phone disconnects the call. If it does this because of some danger of the phone blowing up or giving me cancer while in use and in the charger, I'd be interested to know. Otherwise, it just seems like a design flaw. My rating of this phone is particularly low because I loved the older model so much. It was a revalation. This one is terrible by comparison. (If you never had the older version, this one might not frustrate you as much as it does me. But really, I am not okay with the terrible sound quality.)
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