Jabra Engage 50 is a USB headset for softphones. Because it’s a USB device, it offers plug-and-play functionality with an enormous range of softphone applications. It connects to computers or smartphones. Engage 50 offers superior audio quality, including excellent noise cancellation technology that proves valuable in the call center.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been using it in the office for my daily work. In this blog, I’m going to talk about the experience of using Jabra Engage 50.
I’ve been using Jabra Engage 50 Mono plugged into a Jabra Engage Link USB-A UC. The Link is connected into an iMac.
If you want this headset with stereo audio, check out Jabra Engage 50 Stereo. Jabra Engage Link also comes in models with USB-C or USB-A connectivity with options for certified integration with Microsoft platforms.
What it’s like to use Jabra Engage 50
The first thing you notice about Jabra Engage 50 is that it’s dead simple to use. You plug it into the computer and it connects.
At least it did for me. If your Mac doesn’t automatically switch to the headset, all you need to do is click on the speaker icon in the top menu bar and select “Jabra Engage 50”:
It’s very light and the earpad is soft. I’ve had it on for whole days of work with no strain at all. The small section of coils in the cable have just enough give to let you know when you’re pushing the limits of the cable length, so you don’t pull your computer along with you.
The headband is easy to adjust. It fits my large head with room to spare. The soft earpad fits snugly on the ear. The microphone boom is simple to rotate. The boom is flexible, so I was able to position the microphone perfectly for my mouth.
Sound Quality
Sounds quality is the be-all end-all of headsets.
Jabra advertises that the Engage 50 has hi-fi sound with super wideband audio with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. My experience backs up their claim for excellent audio. Calls and music sound great.
I was particularly impressed by how good music sounds on the mono headset.
As for the microphones, here’s what Jabra Engage 50 gives you, according to Jabra’s website: “A unique system of 3-microphones with intelligent noise-cancelation blocks out background noise and breathing sounds…”
What can I say? According to people I’ve called, it lives up to the advertising. Noise is noticeably reduced compared with, say, a typical IP phone handset. And my voice was clear and natural.
More Features of Jabra Engage 50
Here are some more features that set Jabra Engage 50 apart from the competition.
PeakStop and IntelliTone 2.0
PeakStop protects your ears from sounds over 105 dB SPL, over which volume sound can actually start damaging your ears.
IntelliTone sets your volume so your average daily audio exposure is a safe amount, which is particularly useful for heavy users such as call center workers.
Intelligent Volume Control
Intelligent volume control lets you set calls to a personalized decibel level. This reduces ear-strain over the course of a day.
Busylight
The headset has a clear LED ring on the headphone that lights up green when you’re free or red when you’re busy.
USB Type C Connectivity
Jabra Engage 50 is only available with a USB-C plug to connect. (The Link controller has options for both USB-A and USB-C.)
USB Type C connectivity means you can use the headset with most modern Android phones, improving your sound quality for calls on your smartphone.
Jabra Engage Link
I used the headset with the Jabra Engage Link.
Jabra Engage Link is an accessory that adds call control. It’s a plug and play device. You plug your headset into it then plug the Link into your computer.
Link is designed to lie flat on your desk and in my experience, it works as advertised. It’s a solid device with a bit of weight to it. The rubber base is grippy.
On the Link there are four buttons and a large wheel for volume control. The volume wheel is easy to grab and move with subtle haptic notches for each step you move up or down.
The buttons are by default set to mute, call control (answer/end), and busylight. One is unmapped by default. See the following section on Jabra Direct below to learn how you can easily remap these to the functions that best suit your workflow.
Jabra Direct
If you want to personalize your headset experience, use Jabra Direct. This free, lightweight application for Windows or macOS lets you adjust settings on your Jabra headsets and upgrade firmware.
Here are some of the customizations you can set in Jabra Direct.
You can change the equalizer mode to emphasize bass or treble. You can select your audio protection mode: PeakStop or IntelliTone. You can choose to optimize audio for music or not. You can also name your headset.
For the Link, you can map the four buttons (mute, call control, 3 dots, 4 dots) to the action of your choice: busylight, call handling, mute, push-to-talk, or speed dial. You can set up to two speed dial numbers.
Jabra Direct also lets you set whether you want to use your headset for softphone control.
Firmware Upgrade
Jabra Direct makes upgrading firmware for your headset simple. It automatically notifies you when new firmware versions are available and guides you through the process. While your headset firmware is being upgraded, the lights on the Engage 50 and Link turn magenta, which is a nice touch.
Jabra Xpress
Jabra Engage 50 has a chip in it that enables advanced functionality like call analytics.
I didn’t have time to test Jabra Xpress, a full-featured application for admins and managers to monitor and optimize the headset deployment. You can adjust performance of headsets based on background noise, push firmware updates, and more.