Today we will review the newest addition from Yealink, their new WH64 wireless headset which comes with a lot of features that you would find in high end wireless headset, but with a more approachable price point.
With today’s new tendencies of having remote team members and people always on the move, the need for a true wireless headset that can work on this scenario had been reached. Another major names had developed their wireless solutions using a trustworthy wireless DECT frequency for their headsets or using the Bluetooth Class 1 connectivity for their headsets to work with multiple devices, such as with their desk phones, computer and mobile devices. After analyzing this in a deeper point, Yealink decided to take this into a step further, offering the first of its kind Wireless Hybrid Headset!
But… how’s this headset a Hybrid? What you mean by that?
And the answer is having both frequencies built in the same headset!
Woah, woah, woah wait a second, you will reply to this answer. Your current wireless headset offers multi connectivity, right? You can use it with your desk phone, the computer and your cell phone. If so, why do I want to know what the WH64 offers? The answer is that on the competition, the base and the headset matches the same wireless frequency and it has to be only one of the 2 mentioned before, it has to be a DECT frequency headset and the only way to use your mobile device with the headset is to leave it closer to the base if the base has built in Bluetooth, correct? This is one of the best known solutions, however if you need to use your mobile device while wearing the headset your mobile calls will be interrupted as the device will go out of range from the base, the headset connection to the base will remain as it offers an uncompromised range and service with the desk phone and the computer. Another new headsets offers the Bluetooth Class 1 frequency connectivity, this means that the headset pairs to the base directly and pairs to the mobile device as well, this kind of connection allows users to take their mobile devices while at work and their headset and keep using them. If you are in this 2nd case, you will notice that the range for example when taking the headset and roaming around the office can get compromised with your desk phone calls or computer webinars and is not as further as a DECT frequency headset.
Yealink integrated both frequencies into 1 single headset! This means that the chipset built in the headset allows to run the DECT frequency when used at the office with the desk phone AND the computer. The Bluetooth chipset built into it, allows the user to pair their mobile device and use it with it. Perfect solution for remote workers or users not always on the road but in need of only one headset for multiple devices as it allows them to step out their work space and keep using a wireless headset with their mobile device and when back at the work space the headset will switch to DECT to keep using it with the desk phone and/or computer.
Thanks to its Acoustic Shield Technology, the WH64 offers better noise canceling microphones than the standard wireless headsets on the market, which is truly appreciated by end users when in constant use and with loud background noise of busy scenarios, this is thanks to 3 built in microphones when the competition on similar models only have 1 to 2 microphones. Thanks to its bigger ear cup and speaker, the comfortable ear cushion gives a comfortable wear in a all day use without any annoying feeling when in use. Thanks to the voice prompts, the WH64 offers subtle warning or notifications like if the headset is in range, device connected and battery level.
At first thought the headset can give a misconception of being a little “basic” and with no advanced guts, which is a big mistake. The WH64 offers muting function by bringing the mic boom arm up and down, this is something that you can find usually on higher and more expensive headsets, for this feature I will give kudos to Yealink for adding it and making it extra easy to mute microphone when on a live call. The built in busy light is always welcome when in use as let other people know when on a call and easily noticeable from the distance.
Thanks to its advanced features that can be adjusted using the Yealink USB Connect, and allows to keep a visual on battery remaining and on firmware of the base and headset. The user can adjust the volume of the ringer desired for the desk phone or for the computer, rename the headset, adjust the voice guidance and select the side the boom arm is located for example.
Funny thing about the WH64 compared with the WH63 that we had tested before is that the base is not recognized by the computer with the micro USB cable, only thru the USB-C cable and the base doesn’t allow conference mode as the WH63. This is due to the hybrid chipset which at the time offers some limitations.
At first sight the base might look basic, however offers a lot of vital information and a really unique and discrete design. Thanks to its elegant integrated keys that work as busy lights, allows the user to select the device to engage, either the desk phone or the computer. When any of those 2 is engaged the light switches from white to green which reminds the user the device engaged. If the mute is on, the red mute notification will turn on and the voice prompt will alert about the mute on, following the reminder that to unmute to bring the boom arm down. The base offers fast charging for the WH64 headset, which is appreciated in a fast paced office space as the battery life on a wireless headset on duty is absolutely necessary as air for human beings.
Thanks to its bigger speaker, the wH64 offers a nice sound when streaming either from the computer, a mobile device or a live call on the desk phone, better sound when compared with the WH63, due to the bigger and more advanced speaker. On the Mono version the headband would be a little thinner when compared with the Duo as the Duo offers extra paddling on the top, that is required to get a comfortable fit when covering both ears. On our testing, we enjoyed the Mono as the noise on the space wasn’t as busy as required to cover both ears and noticed that headband on the Mono despite lacking the extra mentioned paddling it is a comfortable headset for all day use.
As Yealink is investing their technology on VoIP desk phones more brands of desk phones would be compatible with the WH64, as long as the desk phone is a Voice Over IP offer it is advised to utilize the proper EHS adapter for the remote answer. For same reason, when in doubt always call and speak with a live person for the proper solution, and to make sure your phone is compatible with the Yealink WH64. The base has a Mini USB port, which is used for the proper EHS adapter, in this case
What’s included in the box?
- WH64 headset (Mono or Dual)
- WHB64 Base
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- Micro USB to USB-A cable
- Power Adapter
- Drawstring carrying case
- Quick Star guide
A nice amenity that comes with each WH64 is the drawstring bag, this allows to store the headset when taking it out of the office and not being used. The offers USB-C port with fast charging and voice over USB feature as it can be used as a corded USB headset when base is not available.
After testing the WH64 from Yealink we will discuss the good, and the not best features of this headset.
The Good:
- Affordable wireless headset with multi connectivity
- Hybrid technology as being a pioneer on this new field.
- 3 built in microphones, offering Acoustic Shield technology
- Seamless switching from DECT to Bluetooth without battery sacrifice or overheating while on use
- Microphone muting by bringing boom arm up or down
- Comfortable headband on Mono and Dual versions
- External optional Busy light port on base
- Answer/End mobile calls by bringing microphone boom arm down/up
Not the best:
- Only compatible with IP desk phones, need to contact knowledgeable person to find out if it does
- Wiring base management, if it is a cluttered desk and want to use only one cable to power/connect to the computer, the only way to do it is using the USB-A to USB-C cable. If want to use the micro USB cable only as with the WH63, you need to use the power adapter as well
- Only way to update firmware is on the computer using the USB-C cable, using the micro USB and power adapter the headset base is not recognized by Yealink USB Connect software
- Boom arm could use a magnetic tip to put the boom arm on place when not in use as it stays further from the headband creating the “antenna look” when microphone is muted
- Limited EHS compatibility as new model of desk phones come out more frequently
- Over head design only (Mono or Dual)
- No Conference Mode available
In conclusion we can say that Yealink had done something that nobody had dared to do and that is integrating 2 different wireless frequencies into one headset at the same time. This is the first true hybrid wireless headset with multi connectivity. Price point is one of the best cards on the table on benefit of the WH64. A true competitor in the IP desk phone wireless headset market.
Who should get the Yealink WH64 wireless headset?
Professionals who are on need of a wireless headset with a reliable wireless connection for their desk phone AND computer, such as DECT frequency and if they need to step out constantly away from their desk and they have the capability to transfer their work desk phone into their mobile phone using their VoIP application if available they can take the headset and keep using it without the compromise of noises of the environment when using their mobile device, a good example will be professionals having to move from a designated campus to run quick errands at different campuses and then on need to get back to the original office space. Orders yours HERE.
