EPOS SC 160 USB-A II Stereo Headset – Microsoft Teams Certified
The EPOS SC 160 name decodes itself
Order headsets for an office and you'll run into a wall of near-identical EPOS model numbers — SC 130, SC 135, SC 160, SC 165 — that look interchangeable until you actually need to know which one covers one ear or two. The EPOS SC 160 solves that confusion the moment you understand the naming: the "6" in the middle tells you it's a two-eared, stereo headset, where an SC 130 or SC 135 would be mono.
It's a double-sided USB headset built for everyday office and call center use — a noise-canceling microphone, wideband HD audio, foldable ear cups for travel, ActiveGard hearing protection, and Microsoft Teams certification. It weighs 3.3 ounces, ships with acoustic foam ear cushions, and carries a 2-year warranty.
What does "SC 160" actually mean?
EPOS's SC-series model numbers follow a real pattern, not a random string of digits. The first two digits (SC 1__) mark the series; the third digit tells you the ear count — a 3 means mono, single-ear, and a 6 means stereo, double-sided, which is exactly what the EPOS SC 160 is. A trailing 5 instead of 0 (SC 135 or SC 165) adds mobile phone connectivity alongside USB. Once you know that, the whole SC lineup stops being a guessing game.
One naming rule, the whole catalog
Learn this once and every EPOS SC headset becomes readable at a glance: SC 13_ is mono, SC 16_ is stereo, and a trailing 5 means it also connects to a mobile device. The EPOS SC 160 sits squarely in the stereo, USB-only slot — no mobile jack, no ambiguity about ear count once you know what the digits are doing.Also sold as the EPOS ADAPT 160
EPOS's enterprise headset division has gone through a couple of rebrands — Sennheiser Communications became EPOS in 2020, and by 2023 the dual "EPOS | Sennheiser" branding fully consolidated under EPOS alone. This exact headset reflects that history: it's listed under EPOS's current site as the "ADAPT 160 USB II," while still carrying its original "SC 160" name on the box and in most retail listings. Same part number, same headset, two names depending on where you're shopping.
Is the EPOS SC 160 the same as the premium Century line?
No — the EPOS SC 160 is the budget-tier stereo option, not the premium one. If you've compared it against EPOS's Century series (the SC 630, SC 635, or SC 665), the difference is real: the SC 160 uses acoustic foam ear cushions rather than leatherette, a standard noise-canceling microphone rather than the Century line's "ultra" tier, and a 2-year warranty rather than the Century series' 3-year.
Foam ear cushions, standard noise-canceling mic, 2-year warranty. For everyday office and call center deployments where budget matters.
Leatherette cushions, ultra noise-canceling mic, steel-and-aluminum build, 3-year warranty. For voice-critical work and higher call volumes.
Foldable for the desk that becomes a bag
The EPOS SC 160's ear cups fold flat, which matters more than it sounds like for anyone who splits time between a desk and a laptop bag — no bulky headband taking up space, just a flat profile that tucks in alongside a laptop.
Built to protect hearing on every call
ActiveGard technology guards against sudden acoustic spikes on the line, and wideband HD audio keeps voices sounding natural rather than compressed — the same hearing-protection foundation EPOS builds into its premium line, just paired with foam cushions and a lighter overall build at 3.3 ounces.
The EPOS SC 160 is the headset for a team that needs Microsoft Teams certification and reliable stereo sound without paying for premium materials they won't notice in daily use — a naming system you can actually read once you know the trick, and a build that folds flat enough to travel between desk and bag. Plug it in over USB, and it's ready the moment Teams recognizes it.
- EPOS SC 160 USB-A II stereo headset with in-line control unit
- Acoustic foam ear cushions (fitted)
- Quick start guide
| Type | Binaural (stereo, both-ear), over-the-head, on-ear |
|---|---|
| Series | EPOS ADAPT 100 Series (also sold as SC 160) |
| Microphone | Noise-canceling, bendable boom arm |
| Audio | Wideband HD voice, EPOS Voice technology |
| Connector | USB-A, in-line control unit |
| Controls | Volume, mute, redial, answer/end |
| Certification | Microsoft Teams certified; UC optimized for other major softphone platforms |
| Hearing protection | ActiveGard technology — protects against acoustic shock and sudden sound spikes |
| Comfort | Large oval acoustic foam ear cushions, adjustable flexible headband, folds flat |
| Weight | 3.3 oz |
| Related models | EPOS SC 130 (mono version); EPOS Century series (SC 630/635/665, premium tier) |
| Part number | 1000915 (previous part 508315) |
| Warranty | 2-year manufacturer warranty, plus HeadsetPlus lifetime technical support |
Software. The EPOS SC 160 is Microsoft Teams certified and UC optimized for other major softphone platforms. No drivers are required — connect over USB-A and the operating system recognizes it automatically.
Hardware. The headset connects via a fixed USB-A cable with an in-line control unit for calls; there's no mobile or 3.5mm connectivity on this model.
Platforms. The EPOS SC 160 is built for everyday office professionals and call center deployments where Teams certification and reliable stereo sound matter more than premium materials.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In EPOS's SC-series naming, the third digit indicates ear count — a 6 means stereo, double-sided, which is what the EPOS SC 160 is. An SC 130 would be the mono equivalent. The naming isn't arbitrary once you know the pattern.
Yes. The EPOS SC 160 is the same headset EPOS currently lists as the "ADAPT 160 USB II" on its own site — same part number, same product, reflecting EPOS's ongoing rebrand from the earlier Sennheiser Communications naming.
The EPOS SC 160 is stereo, covering both ears. The EPOS SC 130 is mono, covering one ear and leaving the other open. Both share the same USB connectivity and general build within the ADAPT 100 series.
Yes. The EPOS SC 160 is Microsoft Teams certified and also UC optimized for other major softphone platforms, connecting over USB-A with no additional software required.
The EPOS SC 160 weighs 3.3 ounces, light enough for all-day wear across a standard office shift.
The EPOS SC 160 uses foam ear cushions, a standard noise-canceling microphone, and a 2-year warranty. EPOS's Century series (SC 630, SC 635, SC 665) uses leatherette cushions, an ultra noise-canceling microphone, and a 3-year warranty — a step up for higher call volumes.