Copyright forbes
The new Impact 500 Bluetooth ANC headset from Danish company EPOS offers the sort of performance and comfort essential for call center and office workers. Denmark’s EPOS has revealed its latest wireless headset aimed at office and call center workers looking for comfort, noise canceling, and a bit of future proofing thanks to the newest version of the Bluetooth wireless protocol. The EPOS Impact 500 is an on-ear Bluetooth headset and it’s the latest model to join the Next IMPACT Generation of EPOS enterprise headsets. This new model includes high-end technology such as EPOS AI and three microphones that can scan at 32,000 times per second to identify and exclude any unwanted noise while also boosting the recognition and clarity of the user’s voice. BrainAdapt Technology EPOS BrainAdapt technology — an innovative form of Hybrid ANC — can reduce brain fatigue caused by the distorted sound of poor-quality audio and cuts the impact of background noise without making the user feel isolated. The new Impact 500 Bluetooth headset from EPOS has a microphone boom are that can swivel through 270 degrees. The way humans hear and process sound can have a direct impact on the brain. EPOS says it’s invested resources in designing headsets that protect the brain from the sounds experienced in an open-plan office or call center. BrainAdapt technology is designed to boost focus and improve productivity while protecting the user from fatigue caused by poor-quality audio and unwanted background noise. MORE FOR YOU Certified For Microsoft Teams The Impact 500 is also the first headset from EPOS certified for Microsoft Teams with native Bluetooth. The Impact 500 can be used without a wireless dongle, although EPOS sells a version with a Bluetooth USB dongle for use with computers or devices that don’t support native Bluetooth. Dongle-free native Bluetooth operation can help IT departments by simplifying the deployment process of multiple headsets. The Impact 500 delivers on the EPOS mission of boosting workers’ potential by improving their audio experience. Other key features include voice pick-up that’s focused on conversations. EPOS says its industry-leading microphone technology, powered by EPOS AI, enables voices to be captured with exceptional clarity. As well as being used for phone and video calls, the new EPOS Impact 500 headset can handle music like a pair of conventional headphones. Jesper Kock, VP of research and development at EPOS, says the Impact 500 is designed for office based as well as hybrid professionals with dynamic workstyles. “The Impacty 500 continues to reflect our industry-leading pedigree based on cutting-edge innovation and exceptional audio performance, from finely tuned microphones to hybrid ANC and our renowned BrainAdapt technology. Native Bluetooth represents the next step in our pioneering headset technology journey, ensuring simpler pairing and no USB port requirements.” Hybrid ANC Technology To offer users more control over their acoustic environment, the new headset includes hybrid ANC, an active noise-cancellation technology that helps reduce the impact of background noise when making calls, especially when needing to focus or concentrate on important calls. An efficient Hybrid ANC algorithm can filter continuous background sounds like the noise of an HVAC unit or the low-level hum of chitchat in a large open-plan office. Efficient ANC can help workers stay on task and be productive in a range of working environments. Another area that EPOS has focused on with the Impact 500 is its comfort levels. EPOS says the new headset is designed for all-day wearing and includes breathable leatherette ear pads and a soft and padded headband that can boost comfort levels by eliminating pressure points on the ears and head. The Impact 500 has breathable leatherette ear pads as well as a soft and padded headband that can boost comfort levels by eliminating pressure points on the ears and head. A full charge of the Impact 500’s lithium-ion battery provides more than 35 hours of available talk time, a figure that eclipses most other headsets on the market. A talk-through mode makes it easier to have a quick chat with colleagues without the need to remove the headset. The feature can be easily turned on or off with the headset’s ANC button. The swivel microphone boom arm on the Impact 500 can be used to control and manage calls with a simple gesture. Raising the boom mutes phone calls, which can then be unmuted by lowering the boom. Incoming calls can also be automatically answered by dropping down the boom arm from its upright position. There’s also a status LED that glows red when the user is taking an active call. Perhaps most importantly for businesses, the Impact 500 is built to withstand the day-to-day punishment of making multiple phone or video calls throughout the working day. EPOS says this new headset can also produce the kind of sound quality that audiophiles will enjoy because it’s designed to play music in between calls. Pricing and Availability: The EPOS IMPACT 500 is available now from www.eposaudio.com and is priced at $249 / £169 / €199. Tech Specs: Range: Up to 30m. Native Bluetooth: Available with pre-paired BTD 900c dongle with USB-C to USB-A adapter. Multi-point support: Yes. Device pairing: Up to 8 devices. ANC: Hybrid ANC. Talk Through: Yes. EPOS ActiveGuard: Protects against acoustic injury from sudden bursts on the line. EU noise limiter: Yes. Certifications: Microsoft Teams Open Office, Microsoft Teams over native Bluetooth, Zoom, Google Meet. Warranty: 2 years. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
