Plantronics 214572-01
The 144g closed-back on-ear design with a noise-canceling boom mic targets contact center work, but its Quick Disconnect cable requires a separate base, as it cannot connect directly to any device. Its lightweight build and dedicated mic make it a practical choice for prolonged call handling, though music playback scores low at 20.4/100. Best for call center agents who already own a Plantronics QD-compatible desk phone or headset base.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
A call center legend with a killer mic and zero music skills. Buy it for work, not for play, and don't forget the QD cable.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent noise-cancelling boom mic, top-tier for voice calls 89th
- Built like a tank, survives daily office abuse 76th
- Super light at 144g, comfortable for long shifts 67th
- QD connector means easy swapping between workstations
Cons
- Useless without a QD cable or amplifier, not included
- Sound quality is bad for anything but voice
- Wired only, no Bluetooth option
- Battery life is a non-factor, it has no battery
The proof
Performance
The mic is the star here. At the 89th percentile, it's genuinely one of the best boom mics we've tested for voice clarity, and the noise-cancelling mic does a solid job cutting background chatter. That's the whole point of this thing. But the sound quality is rough. 20th percentile means music sounds flat and lifeless. Don't even think about using this for anything other than calls. Build quality is a pleasant surprise at the 76th percentile, and at 144g it's light enough to forget you're wearing it after a while.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | on-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.3 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | Plastic |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
Connectivity
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | Yes |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| NC Mic | Yes |
| Boom Mic | Yes |
vs Competition
The TOZO HT3 and Soundcore Life Q20 are wireless over-ear headphones with ANC and decent sound. They're better for music and general use, but their mics are nowhere near the EncorePro's for call clarity. The Truefree HF-10 and QCY H3S are budget wireless options that sound better but feel cheaper. If you need a headset for calls all day, the EncorePro wins on mic quality and durability. If you want one device for music and occasional calls, get the Soundcore Life Q20 instead.
| Spec | Plantronics 214572-01 | JBL Tune 670NC | TOZO HT3 | Soundcore Life Q20 | Truefree HF-10 | QCY H3S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | on-ear | on-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | - | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | - | 32 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | - | 32 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 40 |
| Wireless | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 70 | 90 | 60 | 125 | 102 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plantronics 214572-01 | 32 | 89.4 | 75.6 | 19.5 | 46 | 67.2 | 39.7 | 9.7 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.2 | 64.1 | 75.6 | 84.9 | 94.3 | 87.2 | 99.2 | 98.6 |
| TOZO HT3 Compare | 89.8 | 82.7 | 94.3 | 98.6 | 97.8 | 51.9 | 96.8 | 95.1 |
| Soundcore Life Q20 Compare | 94.2 | 82.7 | 90.8 | 100 | 91.3 | 87.2 | 95.9 | 89.8 |
| Truefree HF-10 Compare | 94.2 | 82.7 | 94.3 | 82.8 | 99.8 | 80 | 95.2 | 95.1 |
| QCY H3S Compare | 94.2 | 95.7 | 33.7 | 98.8 | 99 | 80 | 96.8 | 95.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Pricing is all over the place. EUR listings range from EUR 18 to EUR 45 across DE, ES, FR, and IT. At EUR 18 it's a steal for a call center headset. At EUR 45 you're paying too much for what is essentially a dumb mic on a stick. Shop around and grab the cheapest EUR listing you can find. The USD 45 and CAD 37 listings are also reasonable if you're in those regions.
Amazon 1 offer From £21
Price History
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Overview
The Plantronics EncorePro 214572-01 is not a headset you buy for fun. It's a contact center workhorse built to survive eight-hour shifts of nonstop talking. The one thing to know: this is a Quick Disconnect (QD) headset, meaning it's useless on its own. You need a QD-compatible cable or amplifier to plug it into anything. Buy it thinking you'll plug it straight into your laptop and you'll be very confused.
Common Questions
Q: Can I plug this directly into my computer or phone?
No. This headset uses a Quick Disconnect connector, so you need a QD-compatible cable or amplifier to connect it to anything. It will not work with a standard 3.5mm jack on its own.
Q: Is this good for listening to music?
Not really. The sound quality is tuned for voice, and music sounds flat and uninspired. If you want something for music, look at the Soundcore Life Q20 or TOZO HT3 instead.
Q: How comfortable is it for all-day wear?
At 144g it's very light, and the on-ear design with a closed back is comfortable enough for long shifts. The build quality is solid, so it should hold up to daily use.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a headset to listen to music, watch movies, or game with, this isn't it. The sound quality is bottom-tier for anything but voice. Go get a Soundcore Life Q20 or TOZO HT3 instead. And if you don't already have a QD-compatible cable or amplifier, factor that extra cost and hassle into your decision.
Verdict
The EncorePro 214572-01 is a single-purpose tool, and it's excellent at that single purpose. If you work in a contact center or spend your day on calls, this is a solid buy, especially at the low end of the EUR price range. Just remember you need a QD cable or amplifier to make it work. For everyone else, this is not the headset you're looking for.
