Plantronics EncorePro HW720 Premium Binaural Noise-Canceling QD Headset
The EncorePro HW720 covers both ears in comfort
Watch a noisy call floor by mid-afternoon and you'll spot it: agents in cheap dual-ear headsets quietly pushing one cup off their ear, because by hour five it's hot and heavy. The moment they do, they've lost the whole reason they wore both ears. The Plantronics EncorePro HW720 is built to prevent that — it's the premium 700-series binaural, covering both ears with leatherette pads light enough to keep on all day.
It's the both-ears model at the top of the wired EncorePro line — formerly the HW301N — and like its siblings, it comes in a version for whatever phone is on your desk. For the mono, one-ear-open version, that's the HW710; this is the binaural.
Both ears — and why comfort decides it
Covering both ears is the right call on a noisy floor: it blocks the room, sharpens focus, and stops agents raising their voices over each other, which quiets the whole space. But a binaural headset asks more of the wearer than a mono one — both ears enclosed, more weight on the head, all day. If it isn't comfortable, agents work around it, and the focus benefit evaporates.
On a binaural, comfort isn't a luxury — it's the point
This is where the EncorePro HW720 earns its place. A both-ears headset only delivers focus if it stays on both ears through the shift. The HW720's plush leatherette pads, ultra-light nylon-composite frame, and reinforced headband are tuned for exactly that — eight hours of both-ear wear without the heat and fatigue that make cheaper binaurals slip off by afternoon. The premium build isn't about looks here; it's what makes the binaural actually work all day.The premium 700-series build, on both ears
The EncorePro HW720 carries the full 700-series treatment: soft leatherette ear pads over both ears, a satin-finish nylon-composite body, and a telescoping, pivoting microphone that extends and rotates into precise position, then sits low and clear of your peripheral vision. At 78 grams it's light for a both-ears headset, and SoundGuard limits sudden noise spikes above 118 dBA to protect hearing over long shifts.
Premium binaural, or the workhorse HW520?
The EncorePro HW720 is the premium binaural; the HW520 is the workhorse binaural. Both cover both ears with a noise-canceling mic on a Quick Disconnect — the difference is comfort and materials, and it costs roughly a third more than a mid-range binaural like the HW520.
Leatherette pads, satin-finish nylon-composite build, telescoping boom. Worth it where agents wear both ears all day, or for client-facing and top-performer roles.
Foam cushions, aluminum frame, same both-ear focus and noise canceling, at a lower price. The pick for general use where foam is comfortable enough.
Build the exact EncorePro HW720 you need
Seven versions, and every one is the same premium binaural 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 M22 amplifier, a direct-connect cable, or a DA-series USB adapter for softphones — sold separately. (805H6AA#ABA)
- Avaya 1400 / 2400 / 4600 / 5400 / 5600 / 9400 / 9500 (and Merlin Magix). Includes the certified Avaya cable for these digital and IP series, including Merlin Magix. No amplifier. (805H6AA+HIC10)
- Avaya J100 / 1600 / 9600. Includes the Avaya cable for J139–J189, 1600, and 9600 phones. No amplifier. (805H6AA+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. (805H6AA-CIS)
- Cisco SPA. Includes a 2.5mm cable for Cisco SPA 303, 5xx, and 9xx phones. No amplifier. (805H6AA-SPA)
- Polycom. Includes the Polycom RJ9 cable for Soundpoint IP and VVX phones. No amplifier. (805H6AA-PO)
- Yealink. Includes the Yealink RJ9 cable for Yealink SIP-T phones. No amplifier. (805H6AA-YEA)
Does the EncorePro HW720 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 M22 amplifier, a direct-connect bottom cable, or a DA-series USB adapter for softphones, bought separately.
The EncorePro HW720 is the headset for the floor that has decided both ears are worth it — and wants them to stay comfortable from the first call to the last. Premium leatherette and a featherweight build, the focus of full binaural isolation, and the right cable for your phone in the box. Match it to your desk, and it's the most comfortable way to keep your best agents locked onto every call, with HeadsetPlus's lifetime support behind it.
- Plantronics EncorePro HW720 binaural noise-canceling headset with Quick Disconnect
- Soft leatherette ear cushions (fitted, both ears)
- Carry case 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 M22 amplifier, a direct-connect cable, or a DA-series USB adapter separately. Replacement leatherette and foam cushions, a clothing clip, and an EncorePro headband support pad are available separately.
| Type | Binaural (both-ear), over-the-head, on-ear (supra-aural) |
|---|---|
| Series | EncorePro 700 Series (premium tier) |
| Microphone | Noise-canceling telescoping and pivoting boom — extends and rotates for precise positioning; low-sitting, clear of peripheral vision |
| Connector | Poly Quick Disconnect (QD) |
| Connection | Phone-specific bundles include the certified cable (plug-in, no amplifier); universal QD version needs an M22 amplifier, direct-connect cable, or DA-series USB adapter (sold separately) |
| Audio | Wideband, high-frequency response; SoundGuard acoustic limiting above 118 dBA |
| Build / comfort | Premium nylon-composite frame, reinforced headband, satin finish; plush leatherette ear pads on both ears |
| Weight | 78 g |
| Lineage | Formerly the Plantronics HW301N |
| Mono alternative | HW710 (single-ear version) |
| Management | Poly Lens / Plantronics Hub via a USB adapter (optional) |
| Compliance | TAA compliant |
| Part numbers | 805H6AA#ABA (old 78714-101); 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 HW720 connects to a computer and works with PC softphones and UC platforms — Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Webex among them — plus Poly Lens or Plantronics Hub for device management. Covering both ears, it blocks the room so callers come through clearly on any of them.
Hardware. The HW720 ends in a Poly Quick Disconnect. The universal QD version needs an M22 amplifier, a direct-connect cable, or a DA-series USB adapter to reach a phone or PC. The Avaya, Cisco, Cisco SPA, Polycom, and Yealink bundles include the certified cable for that phone. For a single-ear version that leaves one ear open, see the mono HW710.
Platforms. The EncorePro HW720 is built for premium, focus-intensive work — noisy customer care centers, help desks, and telesales where agents need to block the room with both ears and stay comfortable doing it all day. Its TAA-compliant build also suits government procurement.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The EncorePro HW720 is binaural — it covers both ears for focus and isolation on a noisy floor — while the HW710 is the mono version that leaves one ear open for room awareness. Both are premium 700-series headsets with leatherette cushions and a telescoping boom; choose the HW720 when blocking the room matters, the HW710 when staying aware of it does.
It depends on the version. The phone-specific EncorePro HW720 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 M22 amplifier, a direct-connect cable, or a DA-series USB adapter, bought separately.
It's worth it when agents wear both ears all day. The EncorePro HW720 adds leatherette cushions, a lighter satin-finish nylon-composite build, and a telescoping boom — comfort that keeps a both-ears headset on through a full shift, where a heavier foam binaural can fatigue. For lighter use, the workhorse HW520 covers the same calls for less.
No. The EncorePro HW720 is binaural, not stereo — both speakers play the same voice signal for focus and clarity on calls, not separate left and right channels for music. It covers both ears, but it's a professional call headset, not a hi-fi one.
The EncorePro HW720 weighs 78 grams — light for a both-ears headset, thanks to its premium nylon-composite frame. That low weight is part of what lets agents keep both ears covered comfortably through a full shift.