Jabra’s best just got better with the new Link 860 audio processor, available to purchase now. Similar in appearance and features to its sister amp, the Link 850, the updated Link 860 brings even more functionality.

At first glance, you will notice that Jabra has redesigned and relocated the Desk Phone/Computer switch that was previously found on the bottom of the Link 850 version. They moved the switch to the top of the Link 860, which makes it much more user friendly.

Audio Streaming and Jabra Direct
New to the Link 860, the Audio Streaming feature provides added functionality to your headset, desk phone and PC set-up. Choose features such as Agent Greeting; Call Recording; Transcribing; Call Recording and Agent Greeting; and Call Recording and Transcribing. To enable these features, the switch on the far left that looks like a cassette tape must be turned to “On” and, inside Jabra Direct (a free download here), Device Settings Audio Streaming lists the 5 choices.

For agents who are required to repeat the same greeting or compliance information, the Agent Greeting functionality (playing a sound file from the PC to the desk phone) may be just the ticket to save fatigue and the boredom of repeating the same information on each call, as well as ensuring compliance with company regulations. Both agent and customer can hear the Agent Greeting.

Using 3rd party recording software, such as Windows Sound Recorder or Audacity, the phone forwards audio to the PC for recording. Use the Link 860 and the Transcribing function to play audio files and transcribe them to text. When Transcribing is selected, the PC audio will come over the headset for the agent to hear, but the person on the phone cannot hear this.

To disable these functions, turn the Audio Streaming button OFF.

Other standard features that have been carried over from the previous version include mute, volume control and a dedicated port for supervisory training.

Touch the mute button at the bottom of the Link 860 to mute your microphone; the light in the center immediately turns red, so you have visual notification that your mic is muted. Tap the button again to unmute.

Using the gray dial at the top of the Link 860, adjust speaker volume to the headset. When you turn the ear speaker volume to its lowest level by turning the large gray dial, the Jabra Link 860 beeps; when you turn it up to the highest point, it beeps again; a friendly reminder that minimum/maximum sound levels have been reached. The audial reminder is a nice convenience.

A supervisor port for call assistance is built into the side of the Link 860, similar to the Link 850.

Power is supplied by the micro USB to USB cord that comes in the box with the Link 860; an AC power cord (connecting via the micro USB port) is available as an optional purchase.

The technology and sound protections built into the Link 860 are first class: PeakStop removes line hissing, buzzing and other noises from the network; and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) blocks excessively loud sounds from passing to the ear. Compliance to EU, Australian, and U.S. hearing protection guidelines have been exceeded, so that your ears are safe from sound spikes, acoustic shock and more.

In our tests at Avcomm, using a BIZ 2325 headset and the LINK 860, calls made from the desk phone were crisp and clear; Background noise cancellation was incredible. We’d like to point out that we found the Link 860 to provide much better call quality than when using just a quick disconnect cable. The Link 860 eliminates the majority of background noise, no matter if the caller is speaking or not. Usually when a caller stops talking, customers are able to pick up some of the agent's ambient noise, but this was not the case with the Link 860.

YouTube videos, music streaming at Pandora, and video calls in Vidyo were crystal clear and it was super easy to answer phone calls with the easy switch of the top button on the device.

The Link 860 is ideal for all businesses – using desk phones or softphones – when paired with Jabra quick disconnect (QD) headsets, the Link 860 audio processor is the best solution on the market. Avcomm is offering you a chance to Try it, Love it, and Buy it with a 30-day trial offer at no cost! If you’re interested in learning more, give us a call at 1-866-998-9991.