{"product_id":"plantronics-encorepro-hw520d-binaural-digital-headset-da90","title":"Poly EncorePro HW520D Binaural Digital Headset (6-Pin QD, DA90)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Plantronics EncorePro HW520D is binaural and managed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSome contact centers want it all at once: agents who can focus through a noisy floor, hearing protected against an eight-hour dose, and a way for IT to manage every headset without walking the floor. The Plantronics EncorePro HW520D Digital Series binaural headset is the model that puts all three in one place — both ears covered, digital hearing protection, and fleet management built into the connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt sits at the top of Poly's EncorePro 500 line, where two choices meet: binaural rather than mono, and the DA90-managed Digital series rather than the standard wired version. That intersection is what the HW520D is — and it's worth knowing what each half commits you to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere the EncorePro HW520D fits in the lineup\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe HW520D is one of four closely related EncorePros, and picking the right one comes down to two questions: do you want both ears, and are you running Poly's DA90 digital system?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e[icon:headset-stereo] HW520D — binaural + digital (this one).\u003c\/strong\u003e Both ears for focus, plus SoundGuard DIGITAL and Manager Pro management through the DA90.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e[icon:headset-mono] HW510D — mono + digital.\u003c\/strong\u003e The same digital system, but one ear open for room awareness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHW520 — binaural, standard.\u003c\/strong\u003e Both ears, but connects to any Poly amplifier or adapter — no DA90 required and no digital management.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHW525 — binaural with the DA90 built in.\u003c\/strong\u003e The same digital binaural, but the audio processor is integrated into the cable, so there's no separate DA90 box to buy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe EncorePro HW520D needs the DA90\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLike every Digital-series EncorePro, the HW520D uses a 6-pin Quick Disconnect and works only with the Poly DA90 USB audio processor (or a 6-pin MDA526). It is not compatible with standard 4-pin Poly amplifiers or cords — the digital hearing protection and management run in the DA90, not the headset.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n[callout type=\"honest\"]Before you order: the EncorePro HW520D will not work without the DA90, sold separately. If you aren't deploying the DA90 and Plantronics Manager Pro, buy the standard EncorePro HW520, which connects to any Poly amplifier or adapter. And if you want the digital features without a separate processor box, the HW525 is the same headset with the DA90 built into the cable.[\/callout]\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the digital system adds\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRun through the DA90 with Plantronics Manager Pro, the EncorePro HW520D becomes more than a headset — it's a managed, protected endpoint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n[checklist]\n\u003cli\u003eSoundGuard DIGITAL hearing protection — acoustic shock limiting, G616 anti-startle, and daily noise-exposure (TWA) tracking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e[icon:usb-a] Remote monitoring and configuration of every headset from one console\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAsset tracking — each headset reports its own digital serial number for inventory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSettings and firmware pushed company-wide, with no desk visits\u003c\/li\u003e\n[\/checklist]\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor IT, that's the quiet payoff: no running from agent to agent for adjustments, fixes, or updates — it's all handled centrally, so headsets stay working and agents stay on calls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBoth ears, and what \"digital\" doesn't mean\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe binaural design is the reason to choose the HW520D over the mono HW510D: covering both ears helps agents focus and lowers the whole floor's volume, because they stop raising their voices over the room. One clarification on the name, though — the \"digital\" here is SoundGuard DIGITAL hearing protection, not active noise cancellation. The EncorePro HW520D has a noise-canceling mic for your caller and passive isolation from the cushions; it does not electronically cancel ambient sound for the wearer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe EncorePro build that lasts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnderneath the digital system, the HW520D is built like the rest of the EncorePro line: laser-welded aircraft-grade aluminium and metal joints for years of call-intensive use, a noise-canceling boom with visual and tactile positioning guides, and a single-cable design that runs the second speaker through a ribbon inside the headband — no cable splitting at your chin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n[stat]74 g — light for a both-ears headset[\/stat]\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe EncorePro HW520D is the headset a center buys when it has decided to do contact-center audio properly — both-ear focus for accuracy, digital protection for agent wellbeing, and central management for IT, in one durable unit. If that's the plan and the DA90 is part of it, this is the complete version. If it isn't, the standard HW520 or the mono HW510D will fit the gap, and HeadsetPlus's lifetime support stands behind whichever you choose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv data-tab=\"whats-in-the-box\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePlantronics EncorePro HW520D binaural noise-canceling headset with 6-pin Quick Disconnect\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSoft ear cushions (fitted, both ears)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eQuick start guide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRequired and sold separately: the Poly DA90 USB audio processor (or a 6-pin MDA526) — the HW520D does not connect without it. Plantronics Manager Pro and any bottom cord are also sold separately. If you'd prefer the processor built in, see the HW525.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv data-tab=\"specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eType\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBinaural (both-ear), over-the-head, on-ear\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSeries\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEncorePro 500 Digital Series\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eConnector\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoly 6-pin Quick Disconnect — not compatible with 4-pin Poly cords or amplifiers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eConnection (required)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePoly DA90 USB audio processor or 6-pin MDA526 — sold separately; the headset does not work without one\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMicrophone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNoise-canceling flexible unibody boom with visual and tactile positioning guides\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAudio\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWideband (up to 6,800 Hz)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHearing protection\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoundGuard DIGITAL (via DA90): acoustic shock below 118 dBA, G616 anti-startle below 102 dB SPL, and Time-Weighted Average keeping daily exposure under 85 dBA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eManagement\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlantronics Manager Pro via the DA90 — remote monitoring, configuration, and asset tracking by digital serial number (sold separately)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBuild\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLaser-welded aircraft-grade aluminium, metal joints; single-cable ribbon design; replaceable cushions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApprox. 74 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlternatives\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard HW520 (no DA90 needed); HW525 (DA90 built in); HW510D (mono digital)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePart number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e203192-01 \/ HP 783P5AA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWarranty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-year manufacturer warranty, plus HeadsetPlus lifetime technical support\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv data-tab=\"compatibility\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware.\u003c\/strong\u003e Connected through the DA90, the EncorePro HW520D works with PC softphones — Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and others — and, with Plantronics Manager Pro, gives IT fleet-wide monitoring, configuration, and asset tracking. The digital hearing-protection processing runs in the DA90, which is what enables the central management.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardware.\u003c\/strong\u003e The EncorePro HW520D requires the Poly DA90 USB audio processor (or a 6-pin MDA526). Its 6-pin Quick Disconnect will not work with standard 4-pin Poly amplifiers, cords, or the broader connection options of the standard HW520. If you don't have a DA90, the standard HW520 is the right headset; if you want the processor integrated, the HW525 has it built in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlatforms.\u003c\/strong\u003e The EncorePro HW520D is built for enterprise, IT-managed contact centers that want both-ear focus, advanced digital hearing protection, and centralized headset management at scale — customer care, help desks, and telesales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv data-section=\"faq\"\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat's the difference between the EncorePro HW520D and the HW510D?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe EncorePro HW520D is binaural — both ears covered for focus and a quieter floor — while the HW510D is the monaural version, leaving one ear open for room awareness. Both are Digital-series headsets that require the DA90 and offer SoundGuard DIGITAL plus Manager Pro management; the only difference is one ear versus two.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDoes the EncorePro HW520D require the DA90?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The EncorePro HW520D uses a 6-pin Quick Disconnect and works only with the Poly DA90 USB audio processor (or a 6-pin MDA526). It won't connect to standard 4-pin amplifiers or cords. If you aren't using a DA90, buy the standard EncorePro HW520 instead — or the HW525, which has the DA90 built in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat's the difference between the HW520D and the standard HW520?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe EncorePro HW520D is the Digital-series version: it adds SoundGuard DIGITAL hearing protection and Plantronics Manager Pro fleet management, but it must connect through the DA90. The standard HW520 has basic SoundGuard and connects to any Poly amplifier or adapter — simpler and more flexible if you don't need the digital system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDoes the EncorePro HW520D have active noise cancellation?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. The \"digital\" in the EncorePro HW520D refers to SoundGuard DIGITAL hearing protection, not active noise cancellation. It has a noise-canceling microphone (which keeps your background out of the caller's ear) and passive isolation from covering both ears, but it does not electronically cancel ambient sound for the wearer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan I get the HW520D without a separate DA90 box?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — the Poly HW525 is the same binaural digital headset with the DA90 audio processor built into the cable, so you don't need a separate DA90 unit. Choose the HW520D if you're standardizing on standalone DA90 processors, or the HW525 if you'd rather have it integrated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat does the digital series add for IT?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThrough the DA90 and Plantronics Manager Pro, the EncorePro HW520D lets IT remotely monitor and configure every headset, push settings and firmware company-wide without desk visits, and track each unit by the digital serial number it reports for inventory. It turns a floor of headsets into a managed, visible fleet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- SUGGESTED: a diagram of the four-model lineup (HW510D \/ HW520D \/ HW520 \/ HW525) and how the HW520D's 6-pin QD connects to the DA90 with SoundGuard DIGITAL processing; only if a real manufacturer URL is available --\u003e","brand":"Plantronics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46631802503412,"sku":"783P5AA","price":119.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0755\/6467\/9412\/files\/hw520_4f74cc67-186c-4fc5-9674-7c6cc3871790.jpg?v=1751515795","url":"https:\/\/headsetplus.com\/products\/plantronics-encorepro-hw520d-binaural-digital-headset-da90","provider":"Headset Plus","version":"1.0","type":"link"}