Do you use the internet to learn or teach languages? You must then use the best headset for your online classes. The Jabra Evolve 20 review might help you.
With the Jabra Evolve 20, noise and audio quality are no longer issues. Check out the audio sample below!
Why a headset for online language learning?
As an online French teacher, I can attest that headsets are a necessary piece of equipment because of their superior sound and voice quality. Both teachers and students can benefit greatly from the best online tutoring headsets.
Unquestionably, you require the best headphones to learn a language.
- If you’re an online learner, your technology’s sound quality will let you hear every word your tutor says and allow them to correctly assess your pronunciation.
- Your equipment’s sound quality can help people tell whether you project an unprofessional or professional image as an online teacher. As professional as the online teaching resources, you come across. Because of this, you ought to invest in high-quality equipment, like headsets, rather than relying solely on stock options, which might have a finite supply.
Your technology must enable you to communicate clearly and dependably with your instructors or students. With a good headset, you can focus on your lesson rather than stressing about background noise interference, their ability to hear you, or your ability to hear them.
This is true in particular in two ways:
- Hear. Unless you’re in a soundproof room, you’ll have to contend with outside noise. Using a good headset will ensure that you only hear the important sounds, like your teacher or student.
- Being heard You can speak into a microphone rather than an inaudible opening on the front of your laptop thanks to built-in microphones in some headsets.
How to choose the best headphones for language learning
There are numerous functional and reasonably priced headsets on the market. The best headsets for online language courses are relatively inexpensive to upgrade from standard to professional. A good headset is usually sufficient.
What are the best headphones for language learning? In my review of the Jabra Evolve 20, I discussed the features that I look for in an online tutoring headset:
- The onboard microphone on your laptop produces audio that is barely acceptable due to its distance from your mouth and ability to pick up every background noise. As a result, you should invest in a pair of headphones with a microphone and high-quality audio. Even if you aren’t singing in the stadium, you must be able to be heard clearly.
- Good headphones. Because we’re primarily using video calls, good audio quality is sufficient. Although you don’t need the best headphones for this setup, you also don’t want to buy super-cheap models that will break or sound bad in a few months. You won’t hear a symphony over Skype, but your counterpart’s voice should be audible even if your room isn’t completely silent.
- Compact. High-quality headphones for listening to music, watching movies, or playing video games are frequently large and bulky. This is acceptable in most cases, but not when working as an online teacher. You want the student’s focus to be on you and the lesson, not on your ridiculously large headphones.
- Comfortable. When studying or instructing online, you should feel at ease wearing headphones, especially if this takes several hours per day.
- Affordable. If you prioritize audio quality over glitzy extras, you can find a good set of microphones and headphones that will meet your needs at a reasonable price. This works out to be about USD 50.00 for me.
Other features of good headsets
However, even the best headset for online instruction has some features that I don’t believe are particularly important. Even though they are among the best headsets available, I am willing to part with them for a better deal.
- Bluetooth connection. While wireless equipment appears sleek, is it really necessary to do without a cable? I study at my desk rather than while strolling through the park. I’d rather avoid this option because it typically doubles the cost. If you want to learn French while driving, you’ll need a wireless model.
- Active acoustic isolation. This feature stands out at the top of product lines. All noise is eliminated by using noise-canceling technology. Although unquestionably beneficial, this is rarely necessary to this extent, especially given that it increases the cost by a factor of five when compared to entry-level models. That would only be found in the best online tutoring headset for noisy environments.
- Leatherette headphones. Even though I wear foam headphones for three hours a day without discomfort, they look and feel nice. They are superior, but not necessary. Unless you work in a call center, you probably don’t need this. You’re talking to someone, so it’s obvious that you’re busy. As a result, it cannot be considered the best headset for online tutoring.
- Analog audio converter. The headsets we’ve reviewed here use a USB cable to connect, which isn’t available on MP3 players, tablets, or smartphones. If you’re serious about taking classes online, you should use a computer to type, share your screen, and so on. If you need an adapter, you can buy one separately for a few dollars.
- Case. Despite the fancy logo on the case or bag, your headset will fit into any container. Most likely, you can find a cheaper alternative in your drawers or buy a generic version. These features may be present in the best online instruction headsets, but they are not required.
Jabra Evolve 20 review: my headset for online French tutoring
If your needs are similar to those listed above, I’m happy to recommend the same headset that I use for my online French classes: the Jabra Evolve 20.
In my opinion, this headset is the best for taking online language courses. When it comes to office headsets, Jabra is a leading brand, and its Evolve series headsets are popular options.
There are several models available that offer a variety of features and benefits, making them an excellent choice for various types of businesses. Despite being the series’ entry-level model, the Jabra Evolve 20’s noise-canceling technology makes it an excellent choice for both teachers and students.
Both the microphone and the headphones are designed for passive noise cancellation; the materials used in their construction work block out sound waves from the environment. Amazon.com currently has it for $52.00.
Mic audio quality test
To see the difference between two subpar microphones, watch this brief video review of the Jabra Evolve 20. The noise-canceling microphone on the Jabra Evolve 20 is shown in comparison to the built-in microphone on my laptop and the standard microphone that came with a smartphone.
I compared how well they performed in both quiet and noisy situations.
Quiet
- Built-in laptop mic (0:44)
- Mediocre headset (1:13)
- Jabra Evolve 20 (1:42)
Noisy
- Built-in laptop mic (2:14)
- Mediocre headset (2:41)
- Jabra Evolve 20 (3:09)
Now that you know how it cancels noise and how cheap it is, you can see why this is the best headset for online instruction. My best headset for online classes might not be your best headset if you have higher expectations.
As a result, I’ll show some superior (but more expensive) alternatives from the same product line.
Better headset models from the same Evolve series by Jabra
In my Jabra Evolve 20 reviews, I only mentioned the USB headset because I use it for my online French classes as both a student and a teacher. The Jabra Evolve 20 works perfectly for me.
Choose one of the following models, however, if you have extra money and require a feature that this model does not provide.
Their features and benefits differ noticeably, but they all have Jabra’s superior noise-cancellation technology. The following are the best USB headsets for online learning:
- Jabra evolve 40 for better noise-canceling headphones (the mic is the same), corded
- Jabra evolve 65 for wireless connection
- Jabra evolve 75 for active noise cancellation, wireless
- Jabra evolve 75e for active noise cancellation and in-ear wearing style, wireless
- Jabra evolve 80 for over-the-ear wearing style, corded
If compared with my Jabra Evolve 20, the main upgrades are:
- Better headphone cover material
- More comfortable wearing styles
- Busy light
- Wireless connection
- Active noise canceling
- Accessories (adapter, case, charger)
The best headset for online learning may not always be the best headset for online teaching. In reality, language learners may find it difficult to pay attention to what the teacher says.
In that case, you might want to consider investing in the best headphones for online teaching. The models in question are the Jabra Evolve 40, Evolve 75, and Evolve 80. If you’re looking for the best wireless headset for online learning, consider the Jabra evolve 65 or Jabra evolve 75e.
If all you want to do is block out the outside world and concentrate on your class, the Jabra evolve 75, Jabra evolves 75e, or Jabra Evolve 80 are the best noise-canceling headphones for online teaching. Check that the active noise-canceling feature is enabled (the headset has a switch for this).
Best cheap headphones for online classes: Logitech H340
If you only take online classes occasionally or are as broke as I was when I first started teaching, you don’t want to spend a lot of money on the best headsets. In that case, the Logitech H340 ($21) is a good choice. Call centers all over the world use Skype for voice and video chat. Just don’t expect great audio for music.
The USB headset H340 has grown in popularity over time because it has a noise-canceling microphone that allows clear communication between all parties and is a fantastic low-cost option when it comes to online teaching equipment.
It also has adjustable padded headbands and earpads, making it fairly comfortable to wear all day. Although its noise-canceling abilities fall short of those of the models mentioned above, it remains one of the best headsets available at this price.