STACK #208 Feb 2022

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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Sony WH1000 XM4 Comfortable to wear and light in hand, this stunning set of headphones is exceptional at handling low frequencies, making them an ideal companion for video conferencing and calls. The ANC on the XM4s is top shelf and the headphones are perfectly suited for the working

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from home environment. Battery Life: 30 hours Charging: USB-C ANC: Yes Bluetooth: 5.0 Bose 700

spreadsheets, it’s fully detachable. Battery Life: Wired Charging: Wired. 3.5mm Bluetooth: No

The perfect all-rounder

Audio-Technica ATH-102USB

delivers triple-A performance for audio and voice calls with 11 levels of noise cancellation on hand. These stylish headphones are durable and will take a lot of punishment, including when the kids get hold of them. Light

Will standard headphones suffice, or do I need a purpose- designed pair? It depends on several factors – the first being the ol' kill two birds with one stone scenario. If you’re in the market for a new set of headphones, it pays (literally) to look for a pair with excellent call quality. That way, you’re covering both bases – good playback audio and a pair you can use in the workplace. Opting for a purpose-designed, working from home headset with a flip microphone is an obvious choice if music isn't a focus. Here, all the technology is focused primarily on call quality, so you can’t go wrong and you’ll save a heap of dough in the process. Watcha got? Whether you’re looking for a top-shelf audio solution with WFH capabilities or a headset crafted for the job at hand, we’ve got you covered with the following suggestions.

From a name in audio you can trust, the ATH-102USB is designed specifically for working from home. Suitable for prolonged

use, the headset has a designated slider for volume and mic on/off. A solid

performer across the board at an excellent price.

and comfortable, the 700s are a solid pair of working from home headphones and an

Battery Life: Wired Charging: Wired. USB-A and USB-C adaptor Bluetooth: No

impressive pair for music. Battery Life: 20 hours Charging: USB-C ANC: Yes Bluetooth: 5.0

JLab Go Work Versatility is the key here. This on-ear unit can be used as a Bluetooth headset or wired, which is a great option given the price tag. Offering good voice quality, it also

Sennheiser PXC550-II The plush synthetic padding on the earcups and

headbands of the PXC550-IIs makes sitting on long video and phone calls a breeze. They feature

features a multi-device function to switch from a phone call to a video call with ease. Battery Life: 45 hours Charging: USB-C Bluetooth: 5.0

HEADPHONES Bose QuietComfort 45

voice control at a touch of a button, and the call quality is first-rate. And should you need to head into the office, they fold up concisely for easy transportation in a bag. Battery Life: 30 hours Charging: USB-C ANC: Yes Bluetooth: 5.0 HEADSETS JBL FreeWFH Light in weight and price, the FreeWFH over-ear headset can be used on your desktop or a smartphone. The mic is perfect for voice and video calls, but if you want to listen to some music while you’re working the

“Like wearing marshmallows” was how these were described when we originally reviewed them. Next level comfort means you can wear the 45s for hours without suffering fatigue. They feature superb active noise cancelling (ANC) functionality, and you can pair them

Jabra Connect 4H Comfortable and light for long days at the

between multiple devices, so transitioning between listening to Abbey Road on a smartphone to an unexpected Zoom call is seamless. Battery Life: 24 hours Charging: USB-C ANC: Yes Bluetooth: 5.1

desk, this plug-in and go headset delivers a fuss-free working from home solution, offering great call quality with two in- built microphones. Battery Life: Wired Charging: Wired. USB-C Bluetooth: No

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