Plantronics SupraPlus HW261N Binaural Wired Headset
The HW261N is our flagship binaural wired headset designed for all-day call center use and high-volume customer service environments. We built it with dual over-the-ear speakers for true stereo sound and an industry-leading noise-canceling microphone that blocks out background chatter even in open-plan offices.
Every HW261N ships with our durable Kevlar-reinforced cables and unbreakable metal headband, engineered to outlast standard plastic frames by three to five years in continuous-shift operations. Soft leatherette ear cushions distribute pressure evenly, so agents wearing the headset for eight-hour shifts report minimal ear fatigue. Quick Disconnect compatibility means you can walk away from your desk without removing the headset—just unplug the inline cable and take your break.
Core specs & performance
Noise-canceling microphone technology
Our Voice Tube III microphone sits on a flexible boom that positions precisely at the corner of your mouth, capturing your voice while rejecting sounds from behind and beside you. In independent lab tests, the HW261N microphone reduced keyboard clatter by 68% and neighboring-agent chatter by 72% compared to omnidirectional mics.
The microphone windscreen is replaceable—order packs of ten when you schedule your annual headset refresh. We use medical-grade foam that resists breakdown from humidity and breath moisture, so clarity stays consistent through thousands of calls. Position the boom on either your left or right side; the mic rotates 300 degrees for ambidextrous wear.
Binaural audio & call concentration
Dual speakers deliver true stereo separation, which helps your brain isolate the caller’s voice from environmental noise even when the office around you is busy. Agents using binaural headsets report 22% fewer instances of asking callers to repeat themselves, according to our 2019 workplace study of 4,800 customer service reps.
Each speaker houses a 40mm neodymium driver tuned specifically for human voice frequencies between 150Hz and 6,800Hz. We intentionally roll off bass below 100Hz and treble above 8kHz to prevent listening fatigue during back-to-back calls. Wideband audio support means the HW261N takes full advantage of HD Voice when your phone system supports it.
Headband durability & comfort engineering
Metal frame construction
We replaced the injection-molded plastic headband found on earlier SupraPlus models with an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame that flexes under stress but never snaps. Drop-test certification confirms the HW261N survives repeated four-foot falls onto concrete without cracking. The headband extends in half-inch increments across six settings, fitting head circumferences from 20 to 24 inches.
Leatherette cushion design
Our ear cushions use memory-foam cores wrapped in perforated leatherette that breathes better than solid vinyl. Each cushion measures 2.8 inches in diameter and sits around your ear rather than pressing directly on the cartilage. Replacement cushion sets install in under thirty seconds with snap-on rings—no tools required. We recommend swapping cushions every nine months in shared-headset environments to maintain hygiene and acoustic seal.
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Common questions about the HW261N headset
The HW261N uses a Quick Disconnect connector that pairs with Plantronics amplifiers and desk-phone bottom cables by default. To connect it to a computer for softphone use, you’ll need a compatible adapter cable—either our DA series USB adapter or a 3.5mm bottom cable, depending on your setup.
Once you have the right adapter, the headset works seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, RingCentral, and other unified communications platforms. The headset itself is passive and universal; only the tail cable changes based on what device you’re plugging into.
We engineer the HW261N for four to five years of continuous daily use in high-volume call centers. The Kevlar-reinforced cable and metal headband are the key durability upgrades over consumer-grade headsets, which typically fail within twelve to eighteen months under the same workload.
Replacement ear cushions every nine months and periodic cleaning of the microphone windscreen will extend the headset’s service life. Many of our enterprise customers report units still in service after six years, though we recommend replacing foam components annually for hygiene.
Yes, the boom arm rotates 300 degrees, so you can position it on your left or right side depending on your preference or desk layout. The microphone performs identically on either side—our noise-canceling tuning doesn’t favor one orientation.
To reposition the boom, gently rotate it around the earpiece housing. You’ll feel light resistance, which is normal; that tension keeps the boom from drifting during calls.
The ‘N’ suffix denotes our upgraded noise-canceling microphone. The standard HW261 uses a voice tube that picks up more ambient sound, which is fine in quiet offices but problematic in open-plan or call-center settings.
The HW261N adds acoustic shielding and a directional pickup pattern that rejects sound from behind and beside you, reducing background noise by up to 75%. If you work in a noisy environment or your callers frequently complain about echo and chatter, the N-model upgrade is worth it.
The headband extends across six discrete settings in half-inch increments, fitting head circumferences from twenty to twenty-four inches. Each click locks firmly, so the headset won’t shift during wear.
To adjust, gently pull the earpiece housings outward until you feel them click into the next setting. The fit should feel snug but not tight—the leatherette cushions will compress slightly and conform to your head shape after a few hours of use.
If your desk phone has a dedicated headset port, you can connect the HW261N directly using a Plantronics bottom cable matched to your phone model—no amplifier required. Check your phone’s manual or look for a headset icon on one of the ports.
If your phone lacks a headset jack, or if you want advanced features like adjustable volume and microphone mute, pair the HW261N with a Plantronics amplifier such as the M22 or MX10. The amplifier sits between your phone’s handset port and the headset, adding inline controls and acoustic protection.
Wipe the leatherette cushions weekly with a damp cloth and mild soap to remove skin oils and debris. Avoid alcohol-based cleaners, which dry out the leatherette and cause cracking.
For shared-headset deployments, we recommend replacing cushions every nine months to maintain hygiene and acoustic seal. Replacement cushion kits snap on in under thirty seconds without tools—just peel off the old ring and press the new one into the groove around each speaker housing.