www.managedITmag.co.uk 29 if you wore them all day, but as I only use them now and again this was not a concern for me. Premium quality Two other qualities it is worth mentioning are, first, the HP Poly Voyager Surround 80 Headset’s premium engineering and build quality, which gives it the strength to withstand extensive use and the knocks and drops that a multipurpose device will inevitably experience as it is moved between office and home and carried on planes, trains and automobiles; and, second, a reassuringly long operating time before it needs to be recharged. HP Poly states over 24hours’ listening time and I don’t doubt that figure. Throw in the Voyager Surround 80’s excellent sound performance, noise cancelling technology and easy Bluetooth connectivity and its RRP of circa £250 (inc. carry case and cables) seems like good value for money. For more information on the Poly Voyager Surround 80 Headset (Microsoft Teams Edition), please visit: https://www.hp.com/ gb-en/shop/ cut out engine noise and the chatter of fellow passengers, enabling me to immerse myself fully in the BBC Sounds Podcasts I had downloaded for the journey. I did not miss a word. HP Poly’s Adaptive ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) technology has also enabled me to be much more productive on train journeys between London and Manchester, as the lack of background noise makes it easy to work on a laptop while listening to music and taking calls on my phone. I found the headphones to be of greatest value on longer work trips when I had a laptop bag or backpack to carry them in. On social trips or short trips up to London for a lunch meeting, when I might not have a bag with me, their size is an encumbrance. In the office Another application at which the HP Poly Voyager Surround 80 Headset excels is work calls and Teams meetings, whether in the office or at home. Once again, it was very easy to connect the headset to my work computer and laptop via Bluetooth, enabling me to get up and running in less than a minute. I normally use a standard telephone headset in the office, and the Voyager Surround 80 is in a different class. Not surprisingly, its superior sound quality really does make it easier to concentrate on what’s being said and to be more engaged. On the downside, the Voyager Surround 80 is noticeably heavier than a standard headset. You would probably feel the effects As someone who uses a headset at work and Apple AirPods everywhere else, the idea of a hybrid headset capable of meeting all my needs was enticing, but how well would the promise match up to reality? To find out, I tried out an HP Poly Voyager Surround 80 Headset (Microsoft Teams Edition) at work, at home and when out and about travelling, including on public transport. At home At home, I linked the Poly Voyager Surround 80 Headset via Bluetooth to my iPhone and to the LG 55 TV in my man cave, which I use primarily for watching sport and obscure TV shows from the past. Here, the headphones were an unqualified success. I enjoyed a far more immersive viewing experience, thanks to their impressive sound quality, and everyone else in my household appreciated not having to tell me to shut the door or turn down the sound. Meanwhile, simultaneous connectivity to my phone meant I didn’t miss a call or message, which I sometimes do in the evenings if my phone is in another part of the house. On the move An Easyjet flight to Barcelona, where I was meeting clients at the ISE show, presented the perfect opportunity to assess the HP Poly Voyager Surround 80 Headset’s effectiveness in an audibly challenging environment. Once again, it excelled. Its noise cancelling technology completely By Neil Trim On test: HP Poly Voyager Surround 80 Headset (Microsoft Teams Edition) ON TEST
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