Does anyone else have a problem with crackling and pops when listening to voice mail and making calls, or did I get a defective unit? null

Question

Danny · Accepted Answer

I have the same issue and have replaced the headset 3 times with the same result unfortunately. The latest and greatest looks like the most expensive and poorest quality as well. This headset has constant breakup when on a call and the call quality is very bad. 
Time to look for a different solution after years of using plantronics, it seems that someone dropped the ball on the 5200 UC headset.

Soundman · Answer

Yes I have the same problem with mine. It just started to happen 4 days ago from today 7-1-2019. I even paired it up with my other phone and it does the same thing. I had mine for almost 2 yrs. I did everything to i, reset the headset it. Recharge it again. but still the mic is still crackling and breaking up so people can't hear me. So I hope the company can find the problem on these soon.

Answered by Soundman 6 years ago

Andy · Answer

Yes I have had the same problem with one of the plantronics 5220 that I had. While the headset has some good features there are some defective ones out there. You may have to exchange it several times before you get a good one.

Answered by Andy 7 years ago

PlantronicsRepresentative · Answer

Hello Joey, you should not hear any kind of noise on your Voyager 5200 while playing your Voice Mails. One of the things you can do to remedy this is to reset the connection, to do this please follow these steps: 1. Delete the headset from your cell phone's list of paired devices. 2. Once deleted, power your phone completely off, then power it back on. This resets the Bluetooth stack in the Bluetooth software on the phone. 3. Re-pair the headset with your phone. If the issue continues, please feel free to contact our Customer Care team at: http://www.plantronics.com/us/support/contact/

Answered by PlantronicsRepresentative 7 years ago

MarkV · Answer

I have had the same static issue for a long time (1 year). I've replace the headset 3 times, replace my iPhone 10 3 times - still have a problem. I have an apple tech assigned to me until the problem is fixed. I've had Plantronics voyager headsets for years...that's why I'm still hanging on. Most times I can fix the problem by unpairing my headset - re-pairing and then powering the headset off and on....the fix is temporary and the static comes back. Note: My brother has the same headset and never has had static issues with his iPhone 7. I borrowed his headset and after a few hours the static happened with my iPhone 10. I suspect there is an issue with the bluetooth driver which changed with the iPhone 8 and above....still chasing....

Answered by MarkV 6 years ago

CLavy · Answer

Same issue with mine. Crackling and popping.

Yoda · Answer

I've experienced this on two different new units, purchased in the last month (returned the first one). Product codes "AD E0" and "AD F0". However I only have problem when using the headset as a phone. Using it play music, it sounds fine. Obviously it doesn't sound like a concert hall, but it doesn't crackle at all.

I also have an older Plantronix headset, about 10 years old. With my old phone (no longer have it) the older Plantronix headset sounded great. However when I paired it with my Pixel 4, it sounded terrible (crackling noise). So I tried purchasing these new ones. I called Plantronix tech support, and they encouraged me to replace the unit, but replacement didn't help. 

I've paired my Pixel 4 with my car, and a bunch of other multifunction headsets, and none have this problem. My Bose headset sounds great.

I have to conclude that Plantronix doesn't correctly support the newer Bluetooth versions and/or pairs incorrectly with them. In any case there is no help. Plantronix tech support has no firmware upgrade, so there is nothing to do but return it. That's a shame, because it is beautifully made, has a great feature set, and is reasonably priced. It just doesn't work with newer phones.

Pauly · Answer

Yes I've had about the same issues the first one was the Voyager legend the problem started when on a call no one can hardly hear me so I'd have to take the Bluetooth off and talk on the phone. While still under the 1-year warranty Plantronics try to help me troubleshoot and then I sent it in and they sent me a new one of 5200 upgraded series seemed all good but it started crackling and popping and cutting in and out so I contacted Plantronics they just sent me a new one again, I'm sorry not a new one both of them they sent me so far was refurbished. This one's doing the same thing immediately I've about had enough I didn't ask for a refurbished I want a new one and then we will go from there other than that I guess I will have to switch brands

Answered by Pauly 5 years ago

simlucas · Answer

Switching my iPhone X wifi connection from 2.4GHz to 5GHz SSID solved the crackling. The Voyager 5200 seems to suffer from 2.4GHz wifi interference.

Ronica · Answer

I only get crackling when connected to macbook via bluetooth instead of the dongle. With the dongle it's crystal clear (and on phone bluetooth it's fine).

I wish computer bluetooth worked better, because then I would have more travel through the house. The dongle doesn't have the same distance.

justfred · Answer

To clear the headset unit, press and hold the call button and mute button, simultaneously. A blue light will flash on the back on the unit and it will be clear and static free.

EdC1 · Answer

There is no solution to this, unfortunately.

I've changed my 5200 headset twice now (via warranty) and the static / crackling noise is always there - when I'm working in my office. Seems to be fine at home, meaning, whatever is interfering in the office is too strong.

Shame on Plantronics/Poly/HP for making such a poor product.

voyager5200 · Answer

yes and all my colleagues with the same headset - the instant Poly took over the quality became terrible and we do not und erstand why. This WAS the best noise cancelling headset by far.

Joshua · Answer

Use the dongle instead of bluetooth on the macbook. resolved for me

SeattleAmy · Answer

I only have issues with people hearing me. The issue is the microphone. Since this product is very old (came out about 5 years ago), it appears Poly (they bought Plantronics a long time ago now) doesn’t appear to be investing in this version.

If the issue is not present on listening to music, but rather on actual calls (previous comment stated this), the issue is the microphones, not the headset speaker.

Poly, might have switched to a less expensive vendor, thus quality control has declined.

Loved this style headset for years, but looking for alternative options after multiple replacements had the same issue.

PS - version of Bluetooth was upgraded via the PTL Hub software…at least I am mostly sure it is ver. 5.

VVVVVVVV · Answer

The crackling is common when pairing this to a PC. There is a USB Bluetooth adapter (im guessing not included with this headset from Bestbuy) that provides better quality (a must for voip conference calls).

Doesnt mean this is common when paired to a cell phone though.

JoDough · Answer

I have used Plantronics voyager legend for years. I just replaced my third one which wore out. I was excited to get my new one and when I called a friend to test it out to make sure I had nice clear sound, he thought I was still calling on the old worn out clogged mic. I switch back-and-forth between the phone and speaker phone and Plantronics was a five out of 10 versus nine out of 10 for any other method. I don’t know what Plantronics has done to this product but it is a piece of crap now. I’ll be returning it to Best Buy when they open today.

kitstories · Answer

Yes, I have this problem frequently. If I close down other programs on my computer while using it, it seems to be less. Sometimes there is no problem at all, other times I just have to turn it off and give up. Are there any recommendations out there to resolve?

Technerdnik · Answer

I know I am late to answer but;

I got this headset several years ago and purchased the Best Buy protection plan. Good thing because like clockwork I start getting complaints from people saying they can hear me after about 3 months of having it. I think I have used the protection plan to replace my headset about 10 times now. This has been the case with several different phones (HTC one m8, Samsung Galaxy s8, HTC 10 to more current Samsung Galaxy s9+ and Samsung Galaxy Note 10_). My latest headset started this a couple days ago, to do a test a paired it with my tablet and placed a call, the person on the other end still hears a lot of static and can only make out some of what I say. I will be making a trip to Best Buy later today to use the protection plan yet again.

Rainy · Answer

I do not experience that at all.

Debbie · Answer

No problem on mine.

Lawrence · Answer

No

“Does anyone else have a problem with crackling and pops when listening to voice mail and making calls, or did I get a defective unit?”

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