.Audio 655 USB Stereo PC Headset Enhances Audio Quality for Users of the All-New Skype
Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today introduced the Plantronics .Audio™
655 USB Stereo Headset for PC-based communications and multimedia. The
.Audio 655 is the industry’s first headset to take full advantage of the
crystal clear audio quality of calls in the all-new version of Skype™
for Windows®.
The .Audio 655 is the first headset certified to work with Skype’s new
SILK speech codec, which was introduced earlier this year. This new
audio codec delivers exceptionally clear conversations and achieves
wideband audio quality (16KHz) using 50 per cent less network bandwidth
than previously required. Moreover, it introduces a new standard for
speech quality – super wideband audio (24KHz) – which delivers crystal
clear, richer and warmer sound to those using a compatible headset and a
high quality broadband connection. Skype’s bandwidth manager interacts
with the codec to adjust quickly to fluctuating bandwidth conditions to
produce the most reliable sound.
“Skype’s new super wideband audio is a breakthrough in providing
consumers with even richer voice and video calls, so they get the
feeling of true ‘face-to-face’ conversations,” said Matt Miller,
director of PC and Entertainment at Plantronics. Inc. “The .Audio 655 is
the only headset for Skype’s 405 million registered users worldwide to
take full advantage of super wideband audio, while delivering great
comfort and plug-and-play simplicity.”
“We believe that our new state-of-the-art super wideband audio
capability sets a new standard for richer voice communications over the
Internet,” said Jonathan Christensen, Skype’s General Manager for Audio
and Video. ”We are proud to be partnering with Plantronics to showcase
this improvement in the calling experience for consumers.”
Plantronics .Audio 655 – A Perfect Skype Companion
The Plantronics .Audio 655 stereo headset delivers deep bass and
full-range digital audio through 40 mm speakers, includes a
noise-cancelling microphone for clear conversations, and features Fast
Mic Mute™ technology that lets users quickly mute the microphone by
raising the boom. The .Audio 655’s soft, swivel-mounted ear cushions and
lightweight design provide all-day wearing comfort so users can listen
to music, make internet calls, or play DVDs and games. For ease of use,
the headset uses a plug-and-play USB connection and features one-touch
volume controls on the earpiece.
The All-New Skype
The all-new Skype is the most exciting and fundamental change to Skype’s
software since the company’s inception five years ago. It incorporates
many substantive improvements to video calling and overall ease-of-use,
making it even easier to communicate online, using whatever method is
preferred – free voice and video calls to other Skype users, instant
messaging, as well as calls to landlines and mobile devices around the
world and SMS at very low rates.
Pricing and Availability
The Plantronics .Audio 655 USB stereo headset will be available from the
start of April 2009 for £39.99 including VAT. To learn more about the
.Audio 665, please visit: www.plantronics.com.
