Headset Review 1
Math TLC – Headset Product Review
Author: Chatchada Akarasriworn
Technology Team Committee Members:

University of Northern Colorado: Heng-Yu Ku, Alma Azama, Kathryn Boyer, HuiYa Chuang, and David Kendrick

University of Wyoming: Robert Mayes, Warren Lemerich, Larry Jansen, Jeff Miller,
Christine Boggs
Decision Making on Headset: Logitech Premium Notebook Headset
Model: PN 980445-0403, Price $59.99
This headset product review has been conducted by the Technology Team for the
Mathematics Teacher Leadership Center (Math TLC) project which was funded by the
National Science Foundation (NSF).
Headset Market
There are generally three major brands available for headsets in the current US
market; Logitech, Microsoft, and Plantronics. According to the information listed on the Best
Buy and CNET websites, the leading supplier in the market is Logitech, followed by
Platronics and Microsoft. Among these three brands, we have selected one representative
product from each brand in a similar price range and with desired features (please see Table
1), and conducted the following evaluation to make the best recommendation.

Logitech: Logitech Premium Notebook Headset

Microsoft: LifeChat LX-3000

Plantronics: GameCom 377 Over-the-Head Stereo Headset
Headset Review 2
Table 1. Specification of Headset Summary Table
Item
Logitech: Premium
Notebook Headset
Microsoft:
LifeChat LX-3000
Plantronics:
GameCom 377
Stereo Headset
Image
Price
Average Rating
Response Bandwidth
Headphones Form
Factor
Sound Output Mode
Microphone Operation
Mode
Connectivity
Technology
Headphones Type
Product Type
Microphone
Type of Connection
Jack
Recommended Use
Compatibilities
$59.99
3.5 Stars
20 - 20000 Hz
$41.99
N/A
Info Unavailable
$49.99
N/A
20 - 20000 Hz
Behind-the-Neck
Stereo
Ear-Cup
Stereo
Ear-Cup
Stereo
Mono
Info unavailable
Mono
Wired
Headphones Binaural
Headset - Wired
Boom
Wired
Headphones Binaural
Headset - Wired
Boom
Wired
Headphones Binaural
Headset - Wired
Boom
USB/Regular Jack
USB
USB
Video Conferencing
System
PC multimedia
Mac and PC
OS Required
Info Unavailable
Manufacturer
Warranty
PC multimedia
Info unavailable
Windows Vista®
or Windows® XP
with Service Pack 2
(SP2)
1 Year
3 Years
Info unavailable
Not compatible
Info Unavailable
1 Year
Headset Critical to Quality Features
The headset will be used for online verbal discussion during virtual classes. As part of
the verbal human interface, the headset should have the following features, which indicate the
critical to quality (CTQ) aspects for the Math TLC project:
Headset Review 3
1. Quality of Sound Input: quality of sound captured by the microphone is measured as
microphone response bandwidth.
a. Microphone Response bandwidth – A wider bandwidth indicates a higher
quality of sound being broadcast.
2. Quality of Sound Output: quality of sound output from speaker is dependent on
noise cancelling and headphone response bandwidth.
a. Noise canceling – Reducing unwanted ambient sounds by means of active
noise control.
b. Response bandwidth – A wider bandwidth indicates a higher quality of sound
received.
3. Connection Type: USB versus regular jack connection and impact on teacher
participant ease of use with synchronous conferencing package.
a. USB is familiar, but may require changing the audio setup when using the
synchronous conferencing package.
b. Regular jack connection can be less convenient, but is default for audio on
some synchronous conferencing packages.
4. Comfort of the Headset: the headset is designed to be comfortable for up to three
hours of continual use in online courses.
a. Ear-Cup Model: Over-the-head design is uncomfortable, placing enough
pressure on the head to cause headaches over an extended period of time
(based on personal experience of some Technology Team members).
b. Behind-the-Neck Model: more comfortable then Ear-Cup model (based on
personal experience of some Technology Team members).
5. Compatibility Issues: must be compatible with both Mac and PC Platforms.
Headset Review 4
The evaluation is based on the above CTQ features. In order to achieve this, we
established the following matrix to review and compare these features in a quantitative
manner.
Evaluation Matrix
The three headsets were rated with respect to CTQ features and market share, the later
providing evidence of product quality. Each feature was ranked with scores ranging from 0
for weak fit, 1 for moderate fit, and 2 for strong fit to desired CTQs (See Table 2).
Table 2. Evaluation of Headset Matrix
Product
Name
Logitech
Premium
Notebook
Headset
Points
of
Eval.
Microsoft
LifeChat
LX-3000
Points
of
Eval.
Plantronics
GameCom
377
Stereo
Headset
Points
of
Eval.
Market
Share
Top Share
2
Third Share
0
Second Share
1
Mic Response
bandwidth
Headphone Noise
canceling
Headphone Response
Bandwidth
Type of
Connection
Jack
Headphone
Form Factor
Compatibility
100 10000Hz
2
Not
Disclosed
1
100 10000Hz
2
Yes
2
Yes
2
Yes
2
20 - 20000Hz
2
Not
Disclosed
1
20 - 20000Hz
2
USB/ regular
jack
2
USB
1
USB
1
Behind-theNeck
Mac and PC
2
OH Ear Cup
1
OH Ear Cup
1
2
Not
Disclosed
0
Not
Compatible
0
Total Score
14
6
9
Headset Review 5
Purchase Recommendation
After a thorough evaluation of the available headsets, the Technology Team
recommends the Logitech Premium Notebook Headset (Model: PN 980445-0403) for the
Math TLC project. The Logitech headset ranked highest on the Critical to Quality features,
and the high market share on headsets held by Logitech indicates the product is of high
quality. The average users’ ratings, the CNET editor’s review from CNET.com, and the
ratings from Logitech.com all rated the Logitech product as 3.5 stars (out of five), also
indicating the high quality of this product. CNET average ratings are not available for the
Microsoft: LifeChat LX-3000 and Plantronics: GameCom 377 headsets. However, Best Buy
rates the Microsoft: LifeChat LX-3000 at 2.9 stars (out of five) and both the Plantronics:
GameCom 377 and the Logitech product at 3.9 stars.
Summary of Product – Logitech Premium Notebook Headset
First, the Logitech Premium Notebook Headset (Model: PN 980445-0403) has “noise
canceling” which reduces feedback and echoing, allowing clear communication between
faculty and teacher participants.
Second, the product is designed for comfort, which is necessary when continuously
using the headset for several hours during online class sessions. Specifically, the behind the
neck design reduces physical contact to the head, reducing pressure that may lead to
headaches.
Third, providing a USB and standard jack adaptors is convenient for teacher
participants, as they can choose either for use with the synchronous conferencing software.
While USB may be more familiar to some users, it can require reconfiguration of the audio
settings for the synchronous conferencing software. Having the option of using a standard
jack that does not require changing audio settings may be less confusing to some users. Of
Headset Review 6
course providing training on using the audio wizard in the synchronous conferencing package
would reduce the USB concern.
Manufacturer/Company Background – Logitech
The recognition of “Logitech” as a leading company in manufacturing computer
accessory products (for example, headsets and webcams) supports purchasing this product.
Logitech first became famous as a supplier of computer mice and then grew as the leading
company for interface peripherals of any kind. Logitech headsets are competitively priced,
high quality, and the designs are quite sophisticated. Their designs have earned many awards,
such as Design and Engineering Showcase Honors, Good Design, and an iF product Design
Award, not only due to aesthetics, but also because the design always considers the user’s
environment. Logitech is globalized, with products used everywhere in the world. They are
one of the biggest shareholders in the market.
Budget
The Math TLC project has provided a budget of $50.00 for each student’s headset.
Although the Logitech Premium Notebook Headset price is $59.99, bulk purchase by the
Math TLC project will result in a discount on this price.
Headset Review 7
References
Best Buy. (n.d.). Headset. Retrieved April 9, 2009, from
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=crootcategory
id%23%23-1%23%231~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~cabcat0500000
%23%230%23%2311a~~cabcat0515000%23%230%23%239e~~cabcat0515038%23%
230%23%23o~~f410%7C%7C243235202d202434392e3939~~ncabcat0515040%23%
230%23%23e&list=y&nrp=15&usc=abcat0500000&sc=abComputerSP
Best Buy. (n.d.). Logitech-premium notebook headset. Retrieved May 9, 2009, from
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Best Buy. (n.d.). Microsoft - LifeChat LX-3000. Retrieved May 9, 2009, from
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8200957&st=microsoft+lifechat+LX3000&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1166235551781
Best Buy. (n.d.). Plantronics - GameCom 377 over-the-head stereo headset. Retrieved May
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Cnet Reviews. (n.d.) Headsets comparison chart. Retrieved April 9, 2009,
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s/devices/3621&cl=us,en
Logitech. (n.d.). ClearChat Pro USB. Retrieved April 9, 2009, from
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