This year has been a good year for Microsoft Teams users in many ways. One of the great things how there are several Teams Certified headsets and devices already out there. I am always looking forward to “find the perfect and best device for my use” so I naturally catched the opportunity to test new Poly Blackwire 8225 headset.
Some specs first
- Certified for Microsoft Teams
- Wired. Does work with USB-C adapter. There is also a USB-C model available.
- On the ear model
- Controls with Teams-button, mute and volume, ANC level (off,mid,high)
- Four microphones for active noise cancellation
- Boom arm mic with Acoustic Fence technology (two mics)
- Protects your hearing via SoundGuard (doesn’t let sound to go above 118 dBA)
I admit, I like the way headset looks from outside. Shiny but still lightweight.
The headset positions very well when used.
How did Poly Blackwire 8225 work for me?
One thing I need to say upfront is that I am not a big fan of wired nor on-the-ear headsets. I was curious to test these ones out because you never know what is out there otherwise.
The good
- These work marvelously well with Teams! Just plug it in and Teams switches to the headset and you are ready to go.
- Since it is wired it doesn’t run out of battery
- Noise cancelling works ok. It is on-ear design so it leaks some noise in.
- The mic cancels out some background noise (if you have music playing for example) but still catches some sharp noises (opening a water bottle and similars)
- No hassle with Bluetooth or dongle (well – it is wired)
- Good build
- Audio is excellent on both meetings and music.
- Answering calls by pressing Teams-button.
- Carrying pouch when (if) you travel
The bad
- On-ear doesn’t work for me. I can keep this headset on for 1-2 hours at max until they start feeling really uncomfortable. It is not about the weight (these are light!) but about how it sits on my head. Out of earlier on-ears I tested these really didn’t fit me. But that is purely a personal feature.
- The wire. I just don’t know how to position it so it wouldn’t feel to be on the way. It is a long enough wire (when sitting by the desk) so as long as you don’t stand up and walk away it doesn’t cause issues for the reach.
- I can’t block out my surrounding noises totally since it is on-ear model (kid “saying things out loud with excitement”, playing with Duplos or noisy toys at home)
The Verdict
- I use Poly Blackwire 8225 occasionally – for short periods of time. Especially on a hot end of summer day it was sometimes great to have a less sweaty option available or when you need a backup headset (or use it on another device).
- The Teams Certification makes the headset really reliable with wire and a switch to it is very quick. And I don’t have to worry about losing the dongle somewhere.
- Audio: great. Mic: good. Teams-button: Super!
- If you are looking for a wired lightweight on-ear Teams headset you should add this to consideration list.
- Voyager 8200 is still a great option from Poly/Plantronics – especially these days when there is a lot less travel than during 2019. https://myteamsday.com/2020/04/13/plantronics-voyager-8200-uc/
I got this headset from Poly Finland for testing.
Vesa Nopanen - My Metaverse Day 