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Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset

Manufacturer: Logitech Inc. Part number: 981-000068

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$79.50 - $99.99 at 13 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.0 stars Good
Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: The ClearChat PC Wireless Headset is great for VoIP sessions, but it falls short on audio quality and long-term comfort.
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*Total price for the Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.

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CNET editors' review

Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset

price range: $79.50 - $99.99

Reviewed by: Jeff Bakalar
Edited by: John P. Falcone
Reviewed on: 08/28/2008
Released on: 06/15/2008

The good: Wireless USB communications headset for PCs; USB dongle requires no software installation; rechargeable battery; Windows and Mac compatible.

The bad: Lackluster sound quality when used for gaming and music listening; not comfortable for long listening sessions.

The bottom line: The ClearChat PC Wireless Headset is great for VoIP sessions, but it falls short on audio quality and long-term comfort.

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Wireless keyboards, mice, and printers have been around for years, but headphones and headsets are fairly new to the cordless party. Logitech's entry into the fray is the ClearChat PC Wireless Headset. Unlike the Creative Digital Wireless Gaming Headset HS-1200, which is targeted at gamers, Logitech sees the ClearChat as a jack of all trades, intending it to work equally well for listening to music, playing PC games that use voice cooperation, or for standard PC-based communications such as Skype.

The ClearChat uses a USB dongle that instantly sets the headset as the PC's speakers. We really like the ease-of-use factor here; there wasn't any complicated setup involved--you simply plug in the dongle, power up the headset, and you're all set to go. (The ClearChat works equally well on Mac or Windows systems.)

As with the Creative, the ClearChat has an embedded battery in the headset's right earcup. A 2.5-hour charge with the included AC adapter netted us around 6 hours of use, right on par with the estimate from Logitech. You can also use the headset while it's charging. The company claims the device will work within 33 feet of the USB dongle, but we found that the operational limit was closer to 20 feet--anything beyond that gave us an annoying static dropout. That said, the ClearChat ships with a 7-foot USB extension cradle (for the dongle), which will help to expand the transmission radius.

The charge port, volume, and mute buttons all rest on the right earcup.

The construction of the ClearChat headset feels less durable than that of the Creative HS-1200. The plastic headband is padded, but that's surrounding a thin flattened metal strip, which made it feel fragile when worn. This also did not allow the headset to fit as snugly as we would have liked, something the HS-1200 was successfully able to offer. We would have also liked the swiveling earcups to have been larger, as they were barely able to fit over our ears. That lack of a good seal meant that there was no sonic isolation--we could hear outside noise, and those nearby could hear sound from our headset.

Unlike the HS-1200 microphone, the ClearChat mic boom is not as malleable as you may like. The boom must also be lowered (although not completely, just halfway) in order to function. We liked the small red light on the tip of the mic that flashes when it's activated and stays lit when it's muted. The boom can also be lifted completely out of sight when not in use. The right earcup features volume up and down buttons, as well as a microphone-mute button for easy control access. This is also where you'll find the headset's power switch. There are not, however, any buttons exclusively for VoIP calling which we enjoyed on the Creative HS-1200.

In terms of sound quality, we were a bit disappointed with the performance of the ClearChat. In our trials with Counter-Strike, we found the explosions and other sound effects to be very underwhelming. There is very little range of sound that the headset can produce, which dampened our overall experience. Our voice communication tests fared a lot better, with our online teammates reporting an echo-free, loud and clear reception.

We then tried the ClearChat with some music sampling. Again, we experienced an overall flat, tinny sound with various tracks off the new self-titled Weezer record. In other words, the ClearChat doesn't really compare with dedicated audio headphones for music listening. We can, however, recommend the headset for use with VoIP programs such as Skype. This was where the headset really shined, with voice quality sounding very crisp. Our party on the other end also reported a successful test indicating that we sounded very clear.

Overall, we really can't recommend the ClearChat PC Wireless headset for anything other than VoIP communication. Priced around $80, you're much better off opting for the Creative Digital Wireless Gaming Headset HS-1200. Not only did it perform much better in almost every category we tested, but it can be had for $10 cheaper. We weren't thrilled with the bundled EQ software it came with, but its design and features edge out that of the Logitech's.

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Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review
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10 stars

What an Excellent Headset!!!!

by tripsixmatrix on September 12, 2008

Pros: Comfortabe when wearing, sound quality, mic quality, build quality

Cons: USB adapter size, USB adapter can easily be broken, but if you are careful with it, it will be great for many years.

Summary: After many months of waiting for this item to finally be available, it was. I bought it right away, and it was so easy to hook up/ connect. The sound ...

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Summary: After many months of waiting for this item to finally be available, it was. I bought it right away, and it was so easy to hook up/ connect. The sound and the mic both are sharp, crisp an clear. I feel like a famous pop singer when I use it. It is very comfortable to wear. And the price that I paid for it is just right! The headset's manufacturer is definitely my favorite computer accessory company to buy from.

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1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Logitech Inc.
Part number: 981-000068
Description: Enjoy high-performance, stereo audio for PC calling, music, and games from up to 33 feet away from your computer.

General
Product Type Headset - Radio
Recommended Use PC multimedia
Additional Features Noise canceling circuit, Volume control, Mute button
Headphones
Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
Headphones Form Factor Ear-cup
Connectivity Technology Wireless - Radio
Sound Output Mode Stereo
Response Bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
Microphone
Type - Boom
Microphone Operation Mode Mono
Sensitivity -62 dBV/uBar
Response Bandwidth 100 - 10000 Hz
Remote Control
Type None
Wireless Link
Radio Frequency Range 2.4GHz
Transmission Range 33 ft

Connections
Connector Type 1 x USB ( 4 pin USB Type A )
Miscellaneous
Included Accessories Stand, USB wireless transmitter
Power
Power Device Power adapter - External
Battery Headset battery - Rechargeable
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 2 years warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 2 years

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Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset

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Specifications

General

Headphones

Microphone

Remote Control

Wireless Link

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Miscellaneous

Power

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