Plantronics EncorePro HW540 Convertible 3-in-1 Noise-Canceling QD Headset
No wrong way to wear the EncorePro HW540
Most call centers solve the comfort problem by stocking two headsets — one over-the-head, one over-the-ear — then spend the next year swapping them as agents change their minds, eating the cost and the wear each time. The Plantronics EncorePro HW540 ends that. It's a convertible 3-in-1: over-the-head, over-the-ear, and behind-the-neck, all in one headset, so the agent picks the style and switches whenever they like.
It's the convertible model in the EncorePro 500 line, and like its siblings it comes in a version for whatever phone is on your desk. This is the standard QD version; for the DA90-managed digital one, see the HW540D.
Three wearing styles, one headset
The EncorePro HW540 is a 3-in-1 convertible — the same headset wears over the head, over the ear, or behind the neck, using the parts in the box. It's a mono headset, so one ear stays open to the room in every style; only the way it holds on your head changes.
Each style is properly designed, not a compromise. The over-the-head headband is adjustable, with a soft temple pad on the side opposite the speaker. The over-the-ear hook is bendable and conforms to your ear for a secure hold. The behind-the-neck band suits anyone who wants nothing over the top of their head — useful under a cap or for agents who simply dislike a headband. The same soft cushion covers the speaker whichever way you wear it, so the audio never changes.
One part number for the whole floor
This is where the HW540 pays for itself. Instead of surveying agents, stocking multiple models, and absorbing the cost every time someone wants to switch from over-ear to over-head, you order one part number that does all three. Call centers that made the move report the same thing: agents stop asking to trade headsets, because the one they already have converts. Procurement and inventory get simpler, and returns for the "wrong style" go to zero.Convertible, or a fixed-style EncorePro?
The convertible only earns its slightly higher price when preferences vary — or when you'd rather buy one SKU than guess.
All three wearing styles in one headset. The pick when fit preferences vary across a team, or you want a single part number to cover everyone.
One style each — over-the-head mono, over-the-head binaural, or over-the-ear — at a lower price. The pick when everyone's already settled on how they wear it.
Build the exact EncorePro HW540 you need
Seven versions, and every one is the same convertible 3-in-1 headset. The only thing that changes is how it connects to your phone.
- Universal QD — needs an amplifier or cable. No cable included; add a Plantronics amplifier (the M22 and the rest of the range, including dispatch amps), a direct-connect cable, or a DA-series USB adapter for softphones — sold separately. (783P0AA#ABA)
- Avaya 1400 / 2400 / 4600 / 5400 / 9400 / 9500. Includes the certified Avaya cable for these older Avaya digital and IP series. No amplifier. (783P0AA+HIC10)
- Avaya J100 / 1600 / 9600. Includes the Avaya cable for J139–J189, 1600, and 9600 phones. No amplifier. (783P0AA+HIS)
- Cisco IP (69xx–99xx). Includes the Cisco cable for the headset port on Cisco IP 69xx / 78xx / 79xx / 88xx / 89xx / 99xx phones. No amplifier. (783P0AA-CIS)
- Cisco SPA. Includes a 2.5mm cable for Cisco SPA 303, 5xx, and 9xx phones. No amplifier. (783P0AA-SPA)
- Polycom (and ShoreTel / Mitel). Includes the Polycom RJ9 cable for Soundpoint IP and VVX phones; also works with ShoreTel / Mitel IP 420, 480, and 485. No amplifier. (783P0AA-PO)
- Yealink. Includes the Yealink RJ9 cable for Yealink SIP-T phones. No amplifier. (783P0AA-YEA)
Does the EncorePro HW540 need an amplifier?
It depends on the version. The phone-specific bundles — Avaya, Cisco, Cisco SPA, Polycom, and Yealink — include the certified cable and plug straight into that phone, no amplifier. The universal QD version includes no cable: its Quick Disconnect needs a Plantronics amplifier (the M22 and the rest of the range, including dispatch amplifiers), a direct-connect cable, or a DA-series USB adapter for softphones, bought separately.
Built like the rest of the EncorePro line
Whatever style it's worn in, the EncorePro HW540 is built the same: laser-welded aircraft-grade aluminum and metal joints for the rigors of a call-intensive floor, a noise-canceling flexible boom with visual and tactile positioning guides that click into place, and wideband audio up to 6,800 Hz. SoundGuard limits sudden noise spikes below 118 dBA, which helps a contact center meet OSHA and Noise at Work requirements, and at 22 to 32 grams depending on how it's worn, it's among the lightest in its class. It ships with a carrying pouch, and the cushions are replaceable, so a worn headset can be refreshed rather than retired.
The EncorePro HW540 is the one you buy when you'd rather not guess how your agents like to wear a headset — hand them a single part number that does it all three ways, built to last, and matched to the phone on their desk. Set the style, plug in the right cable, and every agent gets their own fit from the same box, with HeadsetPlus's lifetime support behind it.
- Plantronics EncorePro HW540 convertible noise-canceling headset with Quick Disconnect
- Over-the-head headband (with temple pad)
- Over-the-ear bendable ear hook / ear loop
- Behind-the-neck band
- Soft ear cushion (fitted)
- Carrying pouch and quick start guide
What else is in the box depends on the version: the Avaya, Cisco, Cisco SPA, Polycom, and Yealink bundles add the certified adapter cable for that phone, so there's nothing more to buy. The universal QD version includes no cable or amplifier — add an amplifier, a direct-connect cable, or a DA-series USB adapter separately. Replacement foam and leatherette cushions, spare ear loops, a replacement headband, and an EncorePro headband support pad are available separately.
| Type | Monaural (single-ear), convertible — over-the-head, over-the-ear, or behind-the-neck |
|---|---|
| Series | EncorePro 500 Series |
| Wearing-style pieces | Adjustable headband with temple pad, bendable over-the-ear hook, and neckband — all included |
| Microphone | Noise-canceling flexible boom with visual and tactile positioning guides |
| Connector | Poly Quick Disconnect (QD) |
| Connection | Phone-specific bundles include the certified cable (plug-in, no amplifier); universal QD version needs a Plantronics amplifier, direct-connect cable, or DA-series USB adapter (sold separately) |
| Amplifier compatibility | Works with the full Plantronics amplifier range, including dispatch amplifiers (M22, MX10, M12, P10, SHS-1890, AP-15, CA12CD) |
| Audio | Wideband, up to 6,800 Hz |
| Hearing protection | SoundGuard acoustic limiting below 118 dBA; helps meet OSHA / Noise at Work requirements |
| Weight | 22–32 g, depending on wearing style |
| Build | Laser-welded aircraft-grade aluminum, metal joints; replaceable cushions; carrying pouch included |
| Digital alternative | HW540D (requires the DA90 USB processor; adds SoundGuard DIGITAL and Manager Pro management) |
| Part numbers | 783P0AA#ABA (old 88828-01); phone bundles add +HIC10 / +HIS / -CIS / -SPA / -PO / -YEA |
| Warranty | 2-year manufacturer warranty, plus HeadsetPlus lifetime technical support |
Software. With a Poly DA-series USB adapter, the EncorePro HW540 connects to a computer and works with PC softphones and UC platforms — Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Webex among them — plus Poly Lens for device management. The noise-canceling mic keeps your background out of the caller's audio on any of them.
Hardware. The HW540 ends in a Poly Quick Disconnect. The universal QD version needs a Plantronics amplifier, a direct-connect cable, or a DA-series USB adapter to reach a phone or PC, and it's compatible with the full amplifier range, including dispatch amps. The Avaya, Cisco, Cisco SPA, Polycom, and Yealink bundles include the certified cable for that phone. For a DA90-managed, centrally administered version, see the HW540D.
Platforms. The EncorePro HW540 is built for telephone-intensive work — customer care centers, help desks, telesales, and dispatch — and especially for mixed teams where fit preferences vary, since one convertible headset suits every agent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The EncorePro HW540 is a 3-in-1 convertible with three wearing styles included: over-the-head (adjustable headband with temple pad), over-the-ear (bendable ear hook), and behind-the-neck (neckband). It's a mono headset, so one ear stays open in every style; an agent can wear it whichever way is most comfortable and switch whenever they like.
It depends on the version. The phone-specific EncorePro HW540 bundles — Avaya, Cisco, Cisco SPA, Polycom, and Yealink — include the certified cable and plug straight into that phone, no amplifier needed. The universal QD version includes no cable, so it needs a Plantronics amplifier, a direct-connect cable, or a DA-series USB adapter, bought separately.
Yes — that's the point of the EncorePro HW540. The same headset converts between over-the-head, over-the-ear, and behind-the-neck, so one part number suits every agent's preference. It simplifies procurement and inventory and cuts the cost of swapping headsets when someone wants to change styles.
Both are the same convertible 3-in-1 headset. The standard EncorePro HW540 connects through any Poly amplifier, cable, or USB adapter. The HW540D is the Digital-series version that requires the Poly DA90 processor and adds SoundGuard DIGITAL hearing protection and Plantronics Manager Pro fleet management. Choose the HW540D only if you're deploying the DA90.
The EncorePro HW540 is monaural — a single earpiece, leaving the other ear open for room awareness, in whichever of the three wearing styles you choose. There's no binaural (both-ear) convertible in this line; for both ears in a fixed style, the EncorePro HW520 is the option.