Plantronics EncorePro 520 Headset – Professional Wired Customer Service Headset
The Plantronics EncorePro 520 is our ultra-lightweight binaural headset built for contact centers and customer service teams who spend hours on calls every day. We designed it with a behind-the-head wearing style that keeps hair and makeup intact while delivering immersive sound isolation.
Our noise-canceling microphone ensures your voice cuts through even the busiest call center floor, while the wideband audio reproduces every nuance of natural speech. At just 49 grams, the EncorePro 520 practically disappears during wear, and the padded metal headband adjusts to any head size without creating pressure points.
- Ultra-lightweight design at 49 grams for all-day comfort
- Binaural ear cushions with leatherette foam for sound isolation
- Wideband audio reproduces frequencies from 150 Hz to 6.8 kHz
- Noise-canceling microphone reduces background noise by up to 75%
- Behind-the-head wearing style preserves hairstyles
Wideband audio for natural conversation
We engineered the EncorePro 520 with wideband audio technology that captures a broader frequency range than traditional narrowband telephony. The 150 Hz to 6.8 kHz range means you hear the full richness of human speech, not just the compressed tones that make voices sound tinny or robotic.
This makes a real difference during long shifts. Agents report less listener fatigue because they’re not straining to fill in missing consonants or asking customers to repeat themselves. The binaural design routes sound to both ears, which helps your brain process speech more naturally and reduces the cognitive load that builds up over dozens of calls.
Noise-canceling microphone built for open offices
Our noise-canceling microphone uses acoustic chamber design to suppress up to 75% of background noise before it reaches the call. The microphone boom positions the capsule precisely at the corner of your mouth, where it captures your voice at optimal proximity while rejecting sounds coming from other directions.
Voice tube precision
The voice tube channels sound waves directly into the microphone element while side ports allow ambient noise to enter a secondary chamber where phase cancellation neutralizes it. This passive noise reduction works without digital processing, so there’s no battery to charge and no latency introduced into your speech. Supervisors walking past your desk, nearby conversations, and keyboard clatter all stay off the call.
Behind-the-head comfort engineering
We chose a behind-the-head wearing style specifically for customer-facing professionals who need to look polished throughout the day. The headband rests at the base of your skull, distributing weight across a wider surface area than over-the-head designs. This eliminates the pressure ridge that builds up after hours of wear.
The padded metal headband flexes to fit head sizes from small to extra large without losing its return spring. We coat the contact points with soft rubber so the metal never touches your skin directly. The binaural ear cushions use leatherette foam that breathes better than vinyl, and the shallow cup depth keeps your ears from getting hot even during back-to-back calls.
Professional wired headsets for every team size
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Common questions about the EncorePro 520
The EncorePro 520 is designed for desk phone use through a Plantronics amplifier. For softphone and UC applications, we recommend the EncorePro 720 USB headset, which connects directly to your computer and includes digital audio processing optimized for VoIP platforms.
If you need to use the 520 with a computer, you can connect it through a USB adapter like our DA80, though you’ll get better performance from a headset purpose-built for digital audio.
Wipe the leatherette ear cushions daily with a soft cloth dampened with mild soap and water. Avoid alcohol-based cleaners, which can dry out the foam and cause cracking. Let the cushions air dry completely before your next shift.
We recommend replacing the ear cushions every six to twelve months depending on use intensity. Fresh cushions maintain proper acoustic seal and hygiene standards. Replacement cushions install in seconds without tools.
The EncorePro 520 is a binaural headset with cushions covering both ears, while the 510 is monaural with a single earpiece. The binaural design provides better sound isolation and is ideal for noisy environments where you need to focus entirely on the call.
The monaural 510 leaves one ear open so you can hear conversations around you or remain aware of your physical environment. Both models share the same microphone technology, wearing style, and build quality. Choose based on whether you need ambient awareness or maximum call immersion.
The EncorePro 520 uses Plantronics’ standard Quick Disconnect connection, which is compatible with all Plantronics amplifiers including the M22, MX10, P10, and others. The quick-disconnect interface is also compatible with most third-party amplifiers that support the 2.5mm QD standard.
The Quick Disconnect lets you unplug from your amplifier and walk away from your desk while leaving the headset on your head. When you return, a simple twist reconnects you to the call system.
The EncorePro 520 includes a coiled cable that extends from approximately six inches when compressed to around two feet when stretched. This connects to your desk-mounted amplifier, which then has its own cable running to your phone.
If you need more reach, extension cables are available that connect between the headset and amplifier. We offer extensions up to ten feet for workstations where the phone or amplifier sits farther from your normal working position.
Yes, the EncorePro 520 is hearing aid compatible. The binaural ear cushions create enough space that most behind-the-ear hearing aids fit comfortably inside without feedback. The wideband audio delivers clear frequency response that works well with hearing aid amplification.
If you use in-canal hearing aids, you may prefer the monaural EncorePro 510 so your aided ear remains uncovered. Contact our accessibility team if you need specific guidance for your hearing aid model and calling environment.
Every EncorePro 520 includes our standard two-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. This covers failures in normal business use, including the headband, boom arm, cable, and audio components.
Wear items like ear cushions and foam windscreens are excluded from warranty but are available as low-cost replacement parts. We also offer optional extended warranty plans that cover accidental damage and provide advance replacement service to minimize downtime.