Product Description

Enter a zone of pure audio extravagance, where plush, supple comfort and bass-enriched resonance redefine the multimedia experience. The .Audio 550 DSP is ideal for gaming, music, Internet talk, video conferencing, and voice applications. It features PerSono? Audio Control Centre Software and 40mm speakers that convey music and gaming with dynamic bass response.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38721 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Plantronics
• Model: .Audio 550 DSP
• Released on: 2009-04-02
• Dimensions: .39" h x .39" w x .39" l, 1.10 pounds

Features

• Noise cancelling microphone
• Swivel-mount ear cushion
• Lightweight, flexible headband
• 40 mm speakers convey rich, resonant stereo
• PerSono Software allows control of mic / audio

Manufacturer's Description
Enter a zone of pure audio extravagance, where plush comfort and bass-enriched resonance redefine the multimedia experience. The Plantronics Audio 550 DSP is ideal for gaming, music, internet telephony, video conferencing, and voice applications. It offers a supple, lightweight design and 40mm speakers that convey music and gaming with dynamic base response. The noise-cancelling microphone cuts out background distractions and enhances speech recognition accuracy. The Audio 550 DSP features PerSono Audio Control Centre Software, which provides full control over microphone and audio characteristics like volume, bass and treble. Launch your favourite voice or audio applications and select audio presets all from a central software interface.

Box Contains

Customer Reviews

Brilliant headset!
I come from a background of Plantronics Headsets. Prior to the DSP-550 I had a DSP-500, and DSP-400. All have worked very well and were only replaced when I broke them. I use headsets for VoIP (TeamSpeak) frequently, and these headsets are ideal. They require no drivers, and work instantly. If you prefer you can install a driver downloadable from their website, and this allows for the use of the inline mute and volume buttons.

The sound quality is excellent and identical to the DSP-500, both for the headphones (loud, clear, full of good quality bass) and the microphone (clear, noise free, loud, no distortion).

The headset is comfortable, and made from high quality plastic and leather - I have no idea if it's real or fake leather, but it feels more comfortable than the cloth on the DSP-500. The microphone can swing out the way when not in use. Additionally, the foam microphone screen ball that used to sometimes fall off the DSP-500 and 400 has been replaced by a more sleek looking cylindrical one which is kept in place by a plastic bit - again an improvement.

As the headset is USB, it appears as an additional audio device in Windows. This has the advantage that you can use the headphones and/or the existing speakers of your computer in any combination for different audio sources/programs. For example, you could use your main speakers for everything, or you could play music from your speakers and use the headphones for voice, or use your headset for music and play a game using your main speakers, etc.

In short, it's an excellent headset, it's comfortable, great audio quality, couldn't be easier to set up (plug in and go), and compared to the DSP-500 it looks better and feels of a better quality.

My only complaint is that when I purchased this headset it cost around £30. It now seems to have increased by 50% to around £45. Why?

Good Headset
This headset is the first I've owned and was purchased to use with Skype.
I own a set of Grado headphones and the DSP-550 compare very well when used for listening to audio. I stream Radio 4 and the Grado phones now sit in my drawer unused.
The cheaper headsets have separate jacks for microphone and headphones. The DSP-550 uses a single USB connection and is truly plug and play. No configuration required. The inline volume rocker control is convenient and I was Skyping instantly. The microphone can be swivelled out of harms way when not in use.
I've deducted one star as they are not as comfortable as my Grado SR60's but then again, they are three times the price.
If you need a computer headset I'd happily recommend these.

Plug-in and go with Vista
I'm using these for on-line gaming on a PC with Vista home premium. Plugged them into the USB port and the driver loaded instantly, the headset working within seconds. They sound great, the microphone works well (according to my on-line friends), and they are comfortable to wear (even with my large head!). I like the mic boom which can be lifted out the way when not in use. They seem pretty well constructed and rugged enough for everyday use. They arrived within 3 days of being ordered. I'm very happy with this purchase.