Cisco Headsets vs. Polycom RealPresence Group Series

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco Headsets
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
Cisco Headsets are designed to help users stay connected wherever they work. Whether working at home, at the office, or on the go, the headset helps users stay focused on what's important. The professional headsets are built to deliver exceptional audio and are integrated with the Webex platform for seamless collaboration and simple management. Bluetooth wireless, DECT, or wired headsets are available.N/A
Polycom RealPresence Group Series
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
The Polycom RealPresence Group Series is a video conferencing codec that connects to a standards-based video conferencing infrastructure to allow users to make video conference calls. There are three products in the series – RealPresence Group 300, RealPresence Group 500, and RealPresence Group 700. It is certified to use with Office 365 and Skype for Business.N/A
Pricing
Cisco HeadsetsPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco HeadsetsPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco HeadsetsPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Best Alternatives
Cisco HeadsetsPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Small Businesses
Lifesize Video Conferencing
Lifesize Video Conferencing
Score 9.0 out of 10
Lifesize Video Conferencing
Lifesize Video Conferencing
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Desk Series
Cisco Desk Series
Score 9.4 out of 10
Cisco Desk Series
Cisco Desk Series
Score 9.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Desk Series
Cisco Desk Series
Score 9.4 out of 10
Cisco Desk Series
Cisco Desk Series
Score 9.4 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco HeadsetsPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Likelihood to Recommend
8.8
(83 ratings)
7.7
(24 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(2 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Usability
9.1
(1 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Availability
8.2
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
8.2
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.7
(3 ratings)
8.3
(4 ratings)
Ease of integration
8.2
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
9.1
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco HeadsetsPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
It's a great fit in various departments and all the options out there mean you can find an option for each case. You can use them either sitting down at a dedicated workstation (desktop or laptop/dock) and wired, or you can also use them wireless 'on the go' with computers and mobile devices.
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Poly
If you're always working in the Polycom ecosystem then the Group Series codecs are reliable and the quality of the camera and microphones are extremely good. However, the system relies heavily on either having onsite server technology and/or cloud based bridging capability. In addition, the peripherals like cameras and microphones are quite expensive. Maintenance and support costs also make the ongoing investment a costly one
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Pros
Cisco
  • Cancel the noise side of things. You can't hear anything in the background. I quite often talk really loud because I can't hear myself talking and it's comfortable. They are really comfortable. We've got the wireless ones and they just sit so comfortably on your head. Amazing.
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Poly
  • The audio and video quality can not be matched.
  • For the most part, they are rather simplistic in their use and just work. People don't usually have a hard time operating them
  • They are rather versatile in that we have been able to integrate them with other applications
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Cons
Cisco
  • They need to have the standard base be able to connect PC and Phone not one or the other
  • Figure out the bug that your headset keeps ringing from your PC or mobile even though you answered the phone
  • Create an over the ear or behind the headband design
  • Be able to record from the Desk Phone to the PC like Jabra
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Poly
  • The only issue that we have experienced with Polycom RealPresence Group Series is the speed dial functionality. When attempting to use the speed dial buttons, the system occasionally sends a call through the computer system, not the phone. While the computer call option is valuable, not everyone can answer calls that way and we have had to do a manual lookup of an extension and call back when that happens.
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Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
Way easier to set up and manage. no fiddling with knobs, dials, and silly things like a physical receiver lifter that breaks easily. sound and call quality is great, no issues using day to day. only thing is that the price is a premium, but for us its worth it for the advantages that come with the ecosystem.
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Poly
We love the product and is totally integrated in our company.
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Usability
Cisco
I have yet to find a use case where the 730 is not appropriate. The audio quality and active noise cancellation capabilities are excellent, and the portability puts it above many alternatives.
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Poly
The directory is slightly dated and unless you have a Skype for Business integration license, dialing users into a call is difficult. The Group Series Remote whilst minimalistic is actually more difficult to use than the previous HDX remote. Having to recharge the battery on the group series remote is both annoying and difficult as if you do not keep on top of it, you will be faced with a situation where the remote is not working and then have to try and find another one. Not ideal if you need to start a video call (assuming auto join has not been enabled in the admin portal).
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Reliability and Availability
Cisco
I would give it a 10 but the ringing on the base after you answer makes it unbearable at times. You have to unplug the USB or turn off the Bluetooth to get it to stop.
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Poly
No answers on this topic
Performance
Cisco
There is always room for improvement. There are times switching between devices can be slow, but for the most part, it works fine.
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Poly
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Cisco
Too expensive and too heavy and too uncomfortable. It just didn't deliver the experience that we thought we would get based on the price. I can get the same features, for cheaper, with a more comfortable headset from another vendor. So overall this one just never got put on the final list.
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Poly
I can't say I've needed support more than a handful of times. One was for trying to connect a Polycom Conference phone and a Real Presence together. After a few months, we came to the conclusion it wasn't possible, that was the only frustrating occurance with support. Any other time if we needed to RMA a device, it was very smooth.
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Implementation Rating
Cisco
wish the firmware didn't take so long to install.
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Poly
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Cisco
The battery on the Jabra was bad. Once the battery gets low, and you get a warning that it is getting low you have seconds to plug it in. And I mean seconds. And once the battery has gone, and plug it in, not only does it take ages to recharge, it also takes ages to get volume coming back through the headphones. Often missing vital parts of a meeting.
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Poly
The Polycom RealPresence Group Series was top of the line. It had a lot more features as well as the ability to integrate with Microsoft Teams. With Highfive, you had to pay to keep the device running and it was more like renting it. Although we pay maintenance with Polycom we will own the devices. The Highfive camera also didn't move. Lifesize was comparable but it did not integrate with Microsoft Teams at the time. It may as of now, I am not sure.
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Scalability
Cisco
Seems like you would be able to install headsets across and entire company, so it is very scalable.
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Poly
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Cisco
  • Durability and quality so less spending on replacing the product.
  • Helped me understand speakers words clearly with no voice breaks thus making me more reliable and professional, directly increasing my productivity and impacting business in a positive light.
  • Uniformity. Our organisation first pilot tested Cisco Headsets and soon we changed our other vendor because of its quality. So, now it's all Cisco.
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Poly
  • Once pexip integrates Polycom/skype this will be a big win for us due to the RPTouch integrating the "one - touch join". This will increase adoption of video greatly.
  • Before the Group series with peripherals was implemented the cost of a video room was twice what it is today. Massive win.
  • Due to provisioning and automated firmware the IT involvement has been greatly reduced. No longer is there a need for manual changes to individual endpoints.
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ScreenShots

Cisco Headsets Screenshots

Screenshot of CP-HS-WL-561-N-US Cisco Headset 561Screenshot of Headset 521Screenshot of CP-HS-W-522-USB Headset 522Screenshot of CP-HS-WL-561-S-US-and-CP-HS-WL-562-S-US Cisco Headset 561/562 Standard Base StationScreenshot of CP-HS-WL-562-S-US Cisco Headset 562 with Standard Base Station