Cisco Systems 8.6 manual Speakerphone, Audio Quality, Connecting a Headset

Chapter 3 Setting Up the Cisco Unified IP Phones

Understanding the Cisco Unified IP Phone Components

Speakerphone

By default, the wideband-capable speakerphone is enabled on the Cisco Unified IP Phone.

You can disable the speakerphone by using Cisco Unified Communications Manager Administration. To do so, choose Device > Phone and locate the phone you want to modify. In the Phone Configuration window for the phone, check the Disable Speakerphone check box.

Headset

Although Cisco Systems performs internal testing of third-party headsets for use with the Cisco Unified IP Phones, Cisco does not certify or support products from headset or handset vendors.

We recommend that the use of good quality external devices, for example, headsets that are screened against unwanted radio frequency (RF) and audio frequency (AF) signals. Depending on the quality of headsets and their proximity to other devices such as cell phones and two-way radios, some audio noise or echo may still occur. An audible hum or buzz may be heard by either the remote party or by both the remote party and the Cisco Unified IP Phone user. Humming or buzzing sounds can be caused by a range of outside sources; for example, electric lights, electric motors, or large PC monitors. See Using External Devices, page 3-5, for more information.

Note In some cases, hum can be reduced or eliminated by using a local power cube or power injector.

These environmental and hardware inconsistencies in the locations where Cisco Unified IP Phones are deployed means that there is not a single headset solution that is optimal for all environments.

We recommend that customers test headsets in their intended environment to determine performance before making a purchasing decision and deploying en masse.

Note The Cisco Unified IP Phones support wideband headsets.

Audio Quality

Beyond its physical, mechanical and technical performance, the audio portion of a headset must sound good to the user and to the party on the far end. Sound quality is subjective and Cisco cannot guarantee the performance of any headsets. However, a variety of headsets from leading headset manufacturers have been reported to perform well with Cisco Unified IP Phones.

For more information, see http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/prod/voicesw/ucphone_headsets.html.

Connecting a Headset

To connect a wired headset to the Cisco Unified IP Phone, plug it into the Headset port on the back of the phone. Press the Headset button on the phone to place and answer calls using the headset.

You can use the wired headset with all of the features on the Cisco Unified IP Phone, including the Volume and Mute buttons. Use these buttons to adjust the ear piece volume and to mute the speech path from the headset microphone.

See the wireless headset documentation for information about connecting the headset and using the features.

Cisco Unified IP Phone Administration Guide for Cisco Unified Communications Manager 8.6 (SCCP and SIP)

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