 Lives up to usual Plantronics Quality |
| Review Date: April 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Steve28804, Asheville, NC |
| I received apparently one of the first Plantronics CT14 cordless headset telephones, and the bottom line is that there are no big surprises, which means I like the telephone given that I had high expectations in view of my previous experience with Plantronics quality. I did not have either of the previous models, CT12 or CT10, so I cannot compare to those. However at my office for a number of years I have been using a CS10 cordless headset system which works with a multi-line telephone, and I have become quite addicted to using a headset. Based on what I think is an objective test, the audio quality and volume of the CT14 are superb. The way I test that is to call my own voicemail and, during the same call, switch between various telephones while leaving a message. Then I listen to the recorded message, again switching among various telephones. That lets me hear the quality for myself, without relying on a person I am talking to for a report. One characteristic I am pleased to see included is that it is possible to chain dial from recorded numbers in the "phonebook." Thus, when I use a calling card with a 1-800 access number I can then access the PIN in the phonebook to have that dialed as well, followed by the number of the person I am calling. With some other telephones, after you have used the "phonebook" and the call is in progress, the directory scrolling keys change to a different function (e.g. volume) and all the remaining numbers must be dialed by hand. The only negative thing I have to say about the CT14 is that there is a higher level of background noise than I am accustomed to, which I suspect (but do not know for sure) is an inherent part of the DECT 6.0 technology which uses a single frequency band for both sides of the conversation, and uses time division duplex. So, digitally, a lot is going on behind the scenes, and I think I am hearing digital artifacts. This is mitigated somewhat because there is ample volume. So the volume can be turned down, which reduces the background noise, while still being able to hear the person on the other side. At some point I may compare to another DECT 6.0 telephone, or attempt to see what Plantronics has on this issue. (Update: I called Plantronics and a very pleasant rep assured me that the background noise I am hearing is not normal. The background should be quiet. He gave me an RMA number to send back the telephone for a replacement, but before I do that I am going to try the telephone someplace else. It is possible there is some sort of electrical interference unique to my house. Now that I finally have this telephone, I am very reluctant to part with it for any length of time. I really like it.) Earlier complaints regarding the predecessor CT12 concerned interference with Wi-Fi networks, and it seems clear that is not a problem with the CT14. The CT14 operates on a different frequency band (1920-1930 MHz versus 2400-2500 MHz), and that is an advertised feature of the CT14. |
Lives up to usual Plantronics quality
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| Review Date: March 30, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Steve28804, Asheville, NC |
| I received apparently one of the first Plantronics CT14 cordless headset telephones, and the bottom line is that there are no big surprises, which means I like the telephone given that I had high expectations in view of my previous experience with Plantronics quality. I did not have either of the previous models, CT12 or CT10, so I cannot compare to those. However at my office for a number of years I have been using a CS10 cordless headset system which works with a multi-line telephone, and I have become quite addicted to using a headset. Based on what I think is an objective test, the audio quality and volume of the CT14 are superb. The way I test that is to call my own voicemail and, during the same call, switch between various telephones while leaving a message. Then I listen to the recorded message, again switching among various telephones. That lets me hear the quality for myself, without relying on a person I am talking to for a report. One characteristic I am pleased to see included is that it is possible to chain dial from recorded numbers in the "phonebook." Thus, when I use a calling card with a 1-800 access number I can then access the PIN in the phonebook to have that dialed as well, followed by the number of the person I am calling. With some other telephones, after you have used the "phonebook" and the call is in progress, the directory scrolling keys change to a different function (e.g. volume) and all the remaining numbers must be dialed by hand. The only negative thing I have to say about the CT14 is that there is a higher level of background noise than I am accustomed to, which I suspect (but do not know for sure) is an inherent part of the DECT 6.0 technology which uses a single frequency band for both sides of the conversation, and uses time division duplex. So, digitally, a lot is going on behind the scenes, and I think I am hearing digital artifacts. This is mitigated somewhat because there is ample volume. So the volume can be turned down, which reduces the background noise, while still being able to hear the person on the other side. At some point I may compare to another DECT 6.0 telephone, or attempt to see what Plantronics has on this issue. (Update: I called Plantronics and a very pleasant rep assured me that the background noise I am hearing is not normal. The background should be quiet. He gave me an RMA number to send back the telephone for a replacement, but before I do that I am going to try the telephone someplace else. It is possible there is some sort of electrical interference unique to my house. Now that I finally have this telephone, I am very reluctant to part with it for any length of time. I really like it.) Earlier complaints regarding the predecessor CT12 concerned interference with Wi-Fi networks, and it seems clear that is not a problem with the CT14. The CT14 operates on a different frequency band (1920-1930 MHz versus 2400-2500 MHz), and that is an advertised feature of the CT14. |
Grateful for a Hands-Free phone!
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| Review Date: May 13, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Rubybear, California |
This is a great little phone, especially the fact that it's hands-free. I suffer from hand pain, and it seems that Plantronics is the only company still making a hands-free phone. I hope they always do.
I already have the CT11 model, made a few years ago. The CT14 is basically the same design, but they have made improvements over the CT11. The buttons are a little larger, and the paint contrast on them makes the lettering much easier to see. The screen is larger, and also easier to read. I need a magnifying glass to read the CT11 screen. Really.
The new feature I like the best is the Over-The-Ear headset. It's always been awkward putting a regular headset on quickly enough to answer the phone while it's ringing. The over-the ear headset is so simple and fast to use, I just slip it on my ear and talk.
The new DECT 6.0 is true to its claims that there is no interference. If I turn the microwave oven on while using the CT11, I have to leave the kitchen because of interference. The CT14 has no such problem. I haven't tested its 300 ft range, yet.
One thing odd about this phone is the `tin can' sound of caller's voices. I can hear them clearly, they just sort of sound like they are talking in a tin can. It's not so bad that I can't get used to it, though.
The first phone I received was defective, and amazon was very helpful in coordinating a replacement phone. The problem with it was that the ringer volume (set on High) was so low, I had to be within 2-3 feet to hear it. My replacement phone is a little better, but not a whole bunch. I still need to be within about 10 feet to hear it. I don't know if this is the trend with newer phones, but with an aging baby boomer population, I think they should reconsider their design. I'm not hard of hearing, but if I've got the TV on, it takes a couple of rings before I realize that the little ringing sound is coming from my phone!
Even with the couple of issues with this phone, I think it deserves five stars. I want to make sure Plantronics doesn't stop making these headset phones!
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Plantronics CT14
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| Review Date: May 30, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Knott, Atlanta, GA United States |
| I work from home and spend at least 6 hours a day on conference calls. I couldn't work without my Plantronics cordless headset phone. I recently replaced my several year old CT12 model due to frustrations with battery life. Even with replacement batteries in the CT12 they just weren't lasting. The CT14 does everything my CT12 did while giving me longer talk time. No more battery failure mid conference call. My only complaint is they moved the mute button and it took me about 3 days to get used to the new location. Highly recommended product for those who spend a lot of time on the phone and don't want to be tied to their desk. |
Worth replacing CT10
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| Review Date: February 20, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Dr. Stuart Gitlow, Providence, RI United States |
I've been using the Plantronics CT10 since that model came out quite a few years ago. The battery was finally starting to die; the expense of replacing the battery was about half the cost of the new CT14 so I figured I'd just get the new phone. The CT14 has some significant improvements to the earlier version.
1) The big improvement is in sound quality. With the CT10, if you left the dial pad in the dock while on the phone, you'd hear clicking - something related to the charging circuit. This was particularly annoying because if the battery ran out during a long conference call, you had no choice but to leave the phone in the dock. With the CT14, there's no noise whether the dial pad is in the dock or not.
2) The touchpad itself is improved. With the CT10, pushing a button sometimes resulted in a touchtone, but sometimes not. The CT14's dialpad is markedly improved. You still need very small fingers, so those with large fingers may have trouble pushing individual buttons. There's a screen on the CT14 dialpad too, another improvement, and it's backlit so as to be easily read in darkened environments.
3) There is a choice of various ringtones and volumes, another nice improvement.
4) The mute setting on the CT10 left you listening to a repetitive beeping sound. That was very annoying since muting usually means that you're trying to have another conversation during a conference call. Listening to beeping then isn't what you want. The CT14 doesn't have the beeps; rather you simply have a note on the screen telling you that you're muted. Excellent.
5) The phone blinks to advise you that you have messages - this works well with a VoIP system. I use Vonage and the CT14 tells me if I have messages waiting.
Range, comfort, etc., are all very good. It would be nice if we could eventually lose the wire between the headset and the dial pad since I'm always catching the wire on doorknobs and other items as I walk about while on the phone. It was definitely worth upgrading from the earlier model.
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