Bang & Olufsen has collaborated with IT networking major Cisco to produce the Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980, a premium business headset ideal for remote employees. This is an innovative approach we should definitely know. So let’s proceed!
What you will see here?
Quick Glance:
The Cisco 980 blends B&O’s premium style and audio with Cisco’s incorporated meeting controls & IT management functions to offer a business headset for use both inside and outside the workplace.
The Cisco 980 is made of high-quality materials to give a sturdy, lightweight, and comfortable fit that is perfect for all-day usage, and the B&O and Cisco logos are featured across the ear cups.
They provide a “rich, immersive” audio experience with an adjustable version of active noise reduction onboard to help you focus in any situation.
A beamforming mic system that generates Virtual Boom Arm power the noise canceling. This also means that the headset may be used to make calls and part in online conferences, with on-ear call controls that allow you to mute, answer, and finish conversations that may be held without having to take out your phone.
Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, Webex integration, and voice prompts are among the other office-friendly features. There also is enterprise-grade equipment/software protection, which allows IT administrators to install, manage, and examine real-time analytics of the headsets to guarantee calls are safe and secure.
Price and availability
The suggested resale price for the 980 from Cisco is a gut-wrenching $549. While it may come as no surprise, they aren’t the most costly headphones with the Bang & Olufsen label. For those with boundless finances, the overall Beoplay H95 prices an astonishing $889 (£779).
However, in the pantheon of corporate headphones, they are among the most costly from any manufacturer.
They are available worldwide, either directly from Cisco or via a network of partner merchants.
Design
A closer look reveals that 980 has larger ear cushions & a few additional buttons.
They both have high grain leather, memory foam, as well as aluminum construction, as well as Bluetooth, and weigh about the same amount.
The 980 varies in that it is intended for corporate users, interacting with Cisco remote management solutions, so it uses Bluetooth 5.1 rather than the 4.2 version used in the H8i.
The 980 also has six MEMS voice microphones incorporated into the earpieces, which is four more than the H8i. There is no boom to pick up the wearer’s speech, resulting in a less crowded look.
They, on the other hand, have a plethora of buttons, some of which are apparent and others of which are carefully disguised.
A volume slider, a power button that doubles as a Bluetooth pairing button, a USB-C connector that can immediately link the headset to a computer and/or charge it, and a 3.5mm audio socket for direct connection are all located on the right earpiece.
The 980 offers three simultaneous connections. It allows for the pairing of two Bluetooth devices as well as the use of the USB-C or 3.5mm connector.
Its left earpiece includes a mute button as well as a touch slider for adjusting the amount of noise reduction.
Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980: Polished Metallic Joints
Even though it isn’t visible to the casual viewer, the polished metallic joints of the earpieces are buttons on both sides. When listening to music, a double-tap could be used to play or pause the audio. If you get a call, the same action accepts.
What’s lacking is a charging dock like the one used here on Jabra Evolve2 75. A design with identical specs and a slightly lower price. Given the cost of them, including a USB cord is insufficient.
Setup
The comfort level of these headphones is excellent. They are comfortable to use for extended periods without getting itchy.
Simple to set up, and the button placement is intuitive for both right & left-handed consumers.
Unsurprisingly, design the call management capability to operate with Cisco Webex, and it is also UC compatible. According to Cisco, they will also function with MS Teams, even though they are not MS Team certified.
This Bluetooth implementation supports the Google Fast Pair, Apple Mfi (iPhone), and Microsoft Swift Pair protocols. Make it easier to connect to Bluetooth devices that employ these protocols.
The 980, like many business headphones, features a voice companion that gives you the battery condition when you turn them on and also chirps in at certain moments to provide you with other valuable information. However, this functionality cannot teach you everything you need to know to use these.
Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980 and connectivity with App
Bang & Olufsen provides a mobile app that allows headphones. It helps to manage remotely and maintains the programming up to updated with new releases. While the 980 may use without the app, there are several advantages to having this on a mobile phone.
It is essential in order to access the hearing modes and create your own. As well as rapidly access the product instructions.
As a result, having this app isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s vital to getting the most out of this significant investment.
Sound Performance
Most robust business headsets meant for communication have audio models that design for sound clarity instead of a great audio range.
That said, within the confines of those requirements, they sound great most of the time. Albeit obtaining the full experience requires using the mobile app to switch the headset to Music or Cinema mode.
The sound envelope, by default, lacks the extreme bass & trebles that a music listener could appreciate, with performance-centered in a smaller middle range.
The acoustic limitations of Bluetooth know the well way. The audio transmitted data, and thus waveforms, compress & clipped to maximize quality within a very small bandwidth for this technology to work.
The Qualcomm Bluetooth chip supports Qualcomm aptX Adaptive, SBC, AAC, aptX HD, & aptX Low Latency codecs, the ability to give the greatest sound quality under all conditions.
The default optimum mode is wonderful for listening to a phone conversation or podcast. When paired with the outstanding noise cancellation on these. These provide a premium experience for individuals who spend their days communicating electronically.
Conclusion
Not sure whether this product concept started with Bang & Olufsen Cisco 980, but it appears that Cisco desired to stock these high-concept items.
Whatever their origins, they are high-quality cans that look, sound, and feel as bit as expensive as they are.
That’s amazing, but does it have to come at such a high price?
These are so expensive that, unless purchased specifically for investment bankers, every finance department that isn’t asleep at its desks is likely to dispute the purchase.
As nice as they show and the undeniable level of construction used in it. There are far less expensive headsets that are still extremely crafted well way and will provide enough service.
Undoubtedly, if you can justify them to someone in charge of spending. But if you want this particular branding, go for it. But, to be quite honest, these don’t offer a major benefit over the other designs that make them worth the extra money.
For individuals who have invested extensively in Webex & Cisco management products. There may be some value in these over the other brands. But you can’t give the economic reasons to back it up. Companies who not loyal to Cisco Webex can find some alternatives. That gives equivalent performance and comfort at a fraction of the cost.
