Plantronics/Poly Savi 8240-M Office Convertible Wireless Headset

Plantronics/Poly Savi 8240-M Office Wireless Headset

The new Plantronics Savi 8240-M Office is their newest all-in-one headset that works with your office phone, your computer and your mobile phone too. It will replace the W740 model and has many of the same features (it looks almost identical). This version of the 8240 is certified for use with MS Teams.

The 8200 series are designed to work with desk phone, computer and mobile phone and it’s simple to switch between devices. Do note however that the ‘mobile phone’ aspect is only in the office as the Bluetooth connection is from the base unit of the headset to your mobile. This means you’ll just leave your mobile on the desk so it remains paired to the base.

What does ‘certified for MS Teams’ actually mean? Excellent question!! It means there are a few Teams functions pre-programmed into the headset. Eg The ability to launch Teams on your desktop directly from the headset. Also if you’re on a mobile call using the headset, it will change your ‘presence’ in Teams to unavailable. Additionally if you have technical issues and call Microsoft for support with the programme, they will troubleshoot a Teams Certified device like this as part of the problem. That is not to say they’ll offer overall tech support for the headset – Poly and Simply would do that.

As with all wireless headsets you will need an accessory to answer calls from the desk phone when out of reach. We know, it seems crazy that even such a sophisticated headset as this can’t perform this apparently simple task but there are so many different phones all with different requirements that this functionality just can’t be built into the headset. We call it a RAD (remote answering device). It could be a standard handset lifter or a special ‘electronic hook switch’ (EHS) cable that runs from the base unit to the telephone – it all depends on which make and model phone you have. If your phone has a USB headset port you may not need this but at time of writing, those phones are as rare as hens’ teeth and you could have a different ANC headset for that anyway. NB if you already have a Plantronics headset and you are just replacing it, you may not know you have an ‘EHS’ have a look at the set up. If you have a Poly/Plantronics lifter and your phone is not changing, this headset will work with it.

So let’s start by reviewing…

A ‘tri-fecta’ headset is a superb tool for professionals who need to interact with several touchpoints.Everything is so much easier when you do all that with just one headset. It can also merge the audio from 2 devices -eg a a landline call and a mobile call so you can have a 3 way conversation.

Range is a magnificent 180m, but please note that’s a line of sight range. As with all headsets, this is diminished by interference from other devices, walls, and other objects between your headset and its base unit. In a typical office, Plantronics/Poly estimate 55m as the average range.

As with all modern wireless headsets, this Savi has a noise cancelling microphone so your caller doesn’t hear noisy colleagues. Plantronics have developed a new feature they call ‘close conversation limiting’ which can filter out voices around you really effectively so your CALLER doesn’t hear them. As with all headsets this is best with a long mic so if that’s important to you, have a look at the other models in the .

The Savi range work with Plantronics Manager Pro – giving IT managers insights into usage and allowing mass firmware upgrades amongst other cool features

Of course for YOUR protection Plantronics’ Soundguard Digital ensures protects against sound levels above 118dBA; has Australian standard G616 anti-startle (during calls) detects and eliminates any large sudden increase in signal level; Time-weighted average prevents average daily noise exposure from exceeding 85dBA* *Requires Plantronics/Poly Hub software to enable SoundGuard DIGITAL features.

Things to consider

The battery life on the 8240s is not brilliant – up to 7 hours, which decreases over time and also distance BUT as it has a 30 hour standby, if you turn it off between calls it will last all day. If you get an EHS or lifter, hanging up the call will automatically turn the headset off. The EHS or lifter also helps you get the most out of a wireless headset – you can answer and finish calls when away from your desk. So, if your heart is set on this unit, be sure to follow the prompts when you hit the add to cart button to get the correct accessory for your phone. OR just fork out a bit extra for the 8245 which has UNLIMITED talk time!

The reality is you can pay more for an all-in-one unit. That’s logical, right – its smarter and controls more devices, it SHOULD cost a bit more? Think about the next 3-4 years. Can you envisage using your headset with a PC or mobile as well as a desk phone? Might your organisation move to a soft-phone? Do you listen to audio-files, attend webinars or phone conferences like Zoom, Google Hangouts or Skype? Would dictation be handy? Could you get work calls on a mobile phone (or personal ones if you’re the boss!)? If you answered yes to any of those questions, sit tight, you’ve got a great headset for your needs right here. If the answer is no, you’ll only ever use the desk phone, opt for something a bit simpler; maybe the if you like having the option of the headband and ear-hook included.

The Verdict

For a headset that controls all devices in your office, with a variety of wearing styles to choose from, this little stunner is right up there and Plantronics/Poly is ALWAYS a popular brand

Other headsets You Could Consider Before Buying

As we’ve mentioned there are other wearing styles you may like to consider. Have a look at our for all your options, including the 8245 – exactly the same headset but with a hot-swappable battery so it NEVER runs out of juice.

If you want a headset you go use with your mobile out of the office, check out the Voyager Office CD range which also work with all 3 devices in the office

If Active noise cancelling isn’t that important to you, other headsets such as the has more features than the 8200s and the offers an superb Ultra noise cancelling microphone if you want to protect your callers from the background noise rather than yourself!

If you do want Active Noise Cancelling but don’t have a desk phone(or have a snazzy desk phone with USB headset port), the Jabra Evolve 75 and 75e are proving very popular. The Plantronics/Poly B825 Voyager Focus is also a winner. If its more for music than calls, the Sennheiser MB 660 UC is the best noise cancelling of all (in our oh so humble opinion).

Specifications
SKU	8D3G6AA
Manufacturer	Plantronics/Poly
Product Type	Computer Wireless, Office Bluetooth, Office Wireless
Standby Time	30 hrs
Wireless Technology	Voice dedicated DECT
Talk Time	7 hrs
Warranty	2 Year (Direct with Manufacturers)
Wearing Style	Around the back of the neck, Over the ear + earbud, Over the head (one ear)
Connection Type	Base unit Bluetooth, Base unit to phone RJ (handset/headset port), USB
Software Compatabilty	Apple, Dragon Naturally Speaking, MacSpeech, MOC & Lync, MS Teams CERTIFIED, Skype, Unified Communications, Voice Recognition Software, Windows, Skype For Business, MS Teams Compatible, Zoom Compatible
Ear Cushion Material	Leatherette, Earbud – silicon
Speaker Frequency Response	150-6800Hz
Mic Frequency Response	150-6800Hz
Headset Weight	21g
Coverage Range	Bluetooth Range
Coverage Range [Bluetooth]	11m (base unit to mobile phone)
Conference Additonal Headsets	3
Coverage Range [Wireless]	Max 180m, Typical office; 55m
Best Use	Noisy Office, Quiet Office
Application	Desk Phone + Computer + Mobile Phone (inside only)
Audio Qualities	Enhanced (DSP) Digital Sound Processing, Mono sound, Noise cancelling mic, Noise protection, Soundguard Digital, Wideband Audio, Wideband mic
This product is featured in	, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Features

• Ensure that sensitive conversations stay private—headsets are DECT™security certified by the DECT™ forum using the latest security standards
• Tune out office noise and nearby conversations with noise canceling microphone plus close conversation limiting
• Get crystal clear audio with the latest DECT™ technology supports wideband audio without impacting user density

Manufacturers Description

Please refer to the support tab for the manufacturer description of this headset