Wired USB Headset Noise Canceling and Voice Quality Test (Poly, Jabra, EPOS)

In our test of five wired USB headsets, the EPOS Impact 800 and 700 were our top choices for mic quality and noise isolation. The Jabra Engage 50 II also cut background noise well, the Poly Blackwire 8225 did a solid job, and the entry-level Blackwire 3320 removed the least noise.

When evaluating a wired USB headset for business calls, one factor consistently rises to the top: microphone sound quality. No matter how comfortable or professional a headset looks, if your voice doesn’t come through clearly, the experience suffers.

Clear audio isn’t just about sounding good. It directly affects productivity and how customers perceive your business. If callers struggle to hear you, conversations take longer, details get missed, and frustration builds.

Sound quality also isn’t limited to voice tone alone. It includes how effectively a microphone removes unwanted background noise. A headset might sound rich and full in a quiet room, but the real test is how it performs when office chatter, keyboard noise, or other distractions enter the picture.

In our recent Headset Advisor YouTube video, we selected five popular wired USB headsets representing different price points, and put them through a controlled microphone sound quality and noise canceling test. The goal wasn’t to declare a universal winner, but to help you hear how each model performs in both quiet and noisy environments.

Here are the headsets we tested:

• Poly Blackwire 3320

• Poly Blackwire 8225

• Jabra Engage 50 II

• EPOS Impact 700

• EPOS Impact 800

If you’d like to skip reading this blog, and go right to watching the video, check it out below.

Each headset was tested in two ways:

1. Quiet environment microphone test

2. Background noise simulation including:

• Office noise

• Crying baby sounds

• Keyboard typing noise

Testing in a quiet setting allows you to hear the natural richness and tone of the microphone without interference. This lets you know how you’ll sound when using it. Introducing background noise helps evaluate how effectively each headset isolates your voice from competing sounds.

Why Sound Quality Matters More Than You Think

Clear audio isn’t just about sounding good. It directly affects performance and perceptions in real-world business environments.

Poor microphone clarity can lead to:

• Repetition during calls

• Longer call times

• Frustration for both parties

• Reduced productivity

• Negative customer impressions

Less noise means fewer distractions. Fewer distractions mean better focus. Better focus leads to more productive conversations.

Sound quality does have a subjective element. What sounds excellent to one person may sound average to another. However, in our tests, certain models clearly stood out.

5.

5. Poly Blackwire 3320: Low-noise offices, tight budgets

$65.98 In stock

Add to cart: Poly Blackwire 3320 USB Wired Headset for Teams & UC Calls

Low-noise offices, tight budgetsSkip it if: Your office is noisy.

Verdict: An entry-level wired USB headset for basic business use. It works for quieter rooms and budget deployments, but it removed less noise than the others and struggled in our louder tests.

Pros

• Lightweight and affordable
• Plug-and-play USB-C with inline controller
• Fine for quieter rooms

Cons

• Removed less noise than the other models
• Struggled in higher-noise tests

The Poly Blackwire 3320 is an entry-level wired USB headset designed for basic business use.

Top 3 features:

• Lightweight and affordable

• Plug-and-play USB-C connectivity with inline controller

• Noise-reducing flexible microphone design

In our background noise testing, the 3320 removed less of the competing noise compared to the other models. While it performs adequately for quieter environments, it struggled more in our higher-noise simulations.

For users in low-noise offices or budget-focused deployments, it remains a practical option, but it does not lead this group in noise isolation.

MSRP - $63.95

4.

4. Poly Blackwire 8225 UC: ANC for concentration

$169.73Was $218.95 In stock

See options for the Poly Blackwire 8225 UC: Crystal-Clear Calls, All-Day Comfort

ANC for concentrationSkip it if: You want the richest mic tone.

Verdict: It removed noticeably more noise than the 3320 and did a solid job reducing background noise. Mic quality was respectable and professional, though not the richest in tone.

Pros

• Noticeably better noise removal than the 3320
• ANC helps you concentrate
• USB-C and USB-A with inline controls

Cons

• Not the richest mic tone in the group

The Poly Blackwire 8225 is positioned as a more advanced wired headset with enhanced noise management features.

Top 3 features:

• Active noise canceling for the user for enhanced concentration

• Flexible microphone boom, and noise canceling microphone

• USB-C + A connectivity with inline controls

The 8225 performed noticeably better than the 3320 in noise removal. It did a solid job at reducing the background noises. Overall microphone quality was respectable, though not the richest in tone among the models tested. Still solid, and professional which is something most have come to expect from Poly products.

MSRP - $218.95

3.

3. Jabra Engage 50: Busy offices and call centers

From$181.00Was $274.00 In stock

See options for the Jabra Engage 50 Stereo II Wired USB Headset For Calls

Busy offices and call centers

Verdict: Built for contact centers, it delivered strong background noise reduction and kept voice quality clear. It's well suited for busy offices, call centers and structured workspaces.

Pros

• Strong background noise reduction
• Clear voice quality
• 3 noise canceling MEMS mics
• Very light: 2.3 oz duo, 1.6 oz mono

The Jabra Engage 50 II is built specifically for contact centers and professional call environments.

Top 3 features:

• Advanced 3-MEMS noise-canceling microphones

• USB-C+A connectivity and 3-year warranty

• Durable design for high call volume use, and super lightweight at 2.3 ounces for the duo model, and 1.6 ounces for the mono. 

In our testing, the Engage 50 II delivered strong background noise reduction. It handled competing sounds effectively and maintained clear voice quality. It’s well suited for busy offices/call centers and structured workspaces.

MSRP - $374.00

2.

2. EPOS Impact 760: Natural-sounding voice

$168.98Was $169.00 In stock

See options for the EPOS Impact 760: Clear Calls, All-Day Comfort, Stereo Sound

Natural-sounding voice

Verdict: It stood out in the quiet mic test with a fuller, more natural tone than the other models. In the noise tests, it isolated the voice as well as, or better than, its competitors.

Pros

• Fuller, more natural mic tone
• Isolates your voice as well as or better than rivals
• Inline controller

The EPOS Impact 700 stood out immediately in the quiet microphone test due to the quality of the voice audio.

Top 3 features:

• Rich, natural microphone sound quality via 3 beamforming mics and EPOS ai

• Advanced noise filtering

• Inline controller and 3-year guarantee

In quiet conditions, the Impact 700 produced a fuller, more natural tone compared to the other models. During background noise simulations, it performed as well as, or better than, its competitors in isolating the speaker’s voice while suppressing the unwanted background noise.

MSRP - $209.00

1.

1. EPOS Impact 860: Richest mic sound

From$195.66 In stock

See options for the EPOS Impact 860 Headset - Silencing Open Office Noise

Richest mic sound

Verdict: It delivered the richest sound quality of the group while keeping excellent background noise removal. It handled office noise, keyboard sounds and crying baby simulations with impressive consistency.

Pros

• Richest mic sound in the group
• Excellent background noise removal
• Consistent across office, keyboard and baby noise
• Adaptive ANC for focus

The EPOS Impact 800 builds on the strengths of the 700 with additional refinements.

Top 3 features:

• Exceptional microphone clarity via EPOS ai with beamforming mics

• Strong background noise suppression

• Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation for enhanced worker focus

In our comparison, the Impact 800 delivered the richest sound quality of the group while maintaining excellent background noise removal. It handled office noise, keyboard sounds, and crying baby simulations with impressive consistency.

If I had to choose. If casting a vote based strictly on microphone quality and noise isolation, the EPOS Impact 700 and 800 models would be our top choices. The audio sounded more natural and professional, while still aggressively reducing competing sounds.

MSRP - $249.00

Adding Another Layer of Noise Reduction

Even the best wired headset can benefit from intelligent software support.

neep ai noise canceling software works with any audio device to enhance call quality. neep learns your voice and isolates it from competing background noise. It also removes unwanted noise from both ends of the call, creating a cleaner and more distraction-free conversation.

When less noise reaches your ears and your caller’s ears, conversations become clearer and more productive. Reduced distractions improve focus, and improved focus leads to better performance.

In dynamic environments where background noise fluctuates, combining a high-quality wired headset with advanced noise canceling software can significantly improve overall communication quality.

To learn more about neep ai noise canceling software, or to arrange for your free trial, just go to neep.com

Choosing the Right Wired Headset Can Be Complicated

There are dozens of wired USB headsets on the market. They vary in microphone design, compatibility, build quality, comfort, warranty length, cost and noise-canceling performance, to name a few.

Selecting the wrong headset can result in:

• Compatibility problems with softphones or computers

• Poor audio performance that can be costly

• Frustration during calls

• Time-consuming and costly returns

Audio quality also impacts how customers perceive your business. Clear, professional sound builds credibility. Distracting audio can subtly undermine confidence.

With over 30 years of experience helping businesses with their communication needs, Headset Advisor understands how important compatibility and sound quality are in real-world environments.

If you have questions about the Poly Blackwire series, Jabra Engage 50 II, EPOS Impact 700 or 800, or need help selecting the right wired headset for your setup, contact us for free headset assistance. We’ll help you identify a compatible solution that fits your devices, software, and work environment. 

There are many other headset options available to choose from, and we're here to help you find the one that's right for you.

Clear audio supports better conversations. Better conversations drive better results.

Downloads

Poly Blackwire 3320 datasheet

Poly Blackwire 8225 datasheet

Jabra Engage 50 II datasheet

EPOS Impact 700 datasheet

EPOS Impact 800 datasheet