Pros: Perfect microphone sound if configured properly, good sound quality
Cons: Doesn't fit well nor adjust much, cover for boom comes off frequently
The Bottom Line: Buy this and spend a lot of time figuring out how to configure it properly because you'll never find one that sounds better and is as cheap as this unit.
The Labtec axis 502 is a unit commonly found at places such as OfficeMax. Black with a microphone attached that can swing out and is adjustable, the microphone also pops to the side so that a person can eat or drink while having the headset on. The speakers rest comfortably but the top of the unit that rests on a person's head fails to extend enough nor the right ways.
Sound quality of the speakers
The speakers have good sound, and can hit lows well and highs fairly well. Listening to music while getting the beep from an instant message will cause sound to be distorted, however. This does not detract in my opinion from the usefulness and quality of the sound itself.
Listening to music from sites such as Digitally Imported (http://www.digitallyimported.com) sound excellent and crystal clear. Coupled with programs like Winamp for sound, the quality is easily adjustable and can fully use the potential of this unit.
Microphone Quality
On the Labtec and depending on how it is worn, the microphone rests on one side. It is extremely light and a portion of the microphone between the boom and the speakers is metal for complete adjustment of positioning of the boom. Configuring the microphone's volume levels properly will result in crystal clear sound. In gaming playing games such as Counterstrike, many use microphones, but all agree that the Labtec Axis 502 sounds crystal clear and is the easiest to understand of all microphones. For "IP-Phones" or other Internet telephony, the microphone is as clear as using a telephone that has no distortion. To configure it properly required bringing the volume on the microphone to an appropriate level, and removing sound from the Line In output. Contrary to other's opinions, when used with programs such as Roger Wilco or Phonefree, once the sound is configured there is no more concern of microphone quality as for it is perfect.
Durability
Having still owned this Labtec unit myself, I must say that it works properly. The only reason for the microphone having ceased to work is my own negligence. Due to the length of the cord, certain parts of it hung down near my legs and would occasionally snare as I stand up. Eventually the microphone connection apparently seemed to have ceased to be connected, but this was before the warranty had ended.
Other than that, the speakers worked fine, and after replacement the microphone was once again fine as well.
Overall
Overall, this unit is best for its microphone. For anyone who is not a complete audiophile, the sound is good and without question more than sufficient. The microphone however, is outstanding. I have a HP 6735 Pavillion, and the sound card is nothing special. However, the sound through the microphone was as clear on playback as when I had said it the first time. Even using basic programs like the Windows "Sound Recorder". Even considering the benefits and drawbacks, the benefits and gains from the unit far outweigh the losses making them non-existent.
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