To ensure that background noise is not picked up by the headset microphone, which could interrupt the call, many Poly headsets include noise cancelling microphone booms. These booms include a special directional microphone with two connections that picks up sound in a specific pattern that is focused towards the user’s mouth. Sounds that come from all directions, such as background noise, are picked up with less amplitude and therefore are heard at a reduced level at the other end. 

Transmission noise reduction can be enhanced when additional, physically separated microphones are added, such as those on Poly headsets with Acoustic Fence technology.  

Single additional microphone – Poly’s Acoustic Fence technology, as found in the Blackwire 8225, uses a long noise cancelling microphone boom with an additional microphone located on the ear cup. This additional microphone picks up the background noise and using DSP, this is filtered from the user’s voice.  

Multiple additional microphones – The Voyager Focus 2 provides even greater transmit noise reduction despite its shorter microphone boom. In this implementation, Poly’s Acoustic Fence technology uses four microphones in total—two microphones on the boom and one on each ear cup—to create a virtual pick up bubble focused at the front of the user’s mouth. Anything outside of this bubble (typically noise) is ignored. 

Using proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Poly can further reduce any transmission noise. The Poly Savi 8200 Series use a noise cancelling microphone boom plus a feature called close conversation limiting, which is designed to reduce the level of nearby conversations. The actual level of noise reduction can be configured via Poly software. 

For products without a microphone boom such as the Voyager Free 60 UC, Voyager Surround 80 UC and Voyager 6200 UC, four microphones are used along with beam-forming technology to focus on the user’s voice while minimising background noise. 

Poly’s proprietary WindSmart technology has been developed for wireless headsets to reduce disruptive wind noise when on a call outdoors. It does so by leveraging advanced algorithms and a microphone design that suppresses the wind noise to ensure your voice comes through clearly. WindSmart technology helps to optimise voice clarity and the user experience especially on breezy days. 

Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is a technology used in headphones, earphones and other audio devices to minimise unwanted ambient noise. Built-in microphones capture external sounds and generate an anti-noise signal to suppress disruptive sounds and ensure a quieter and more intense audio experience.  

When it comes to Hybrid ANC, additional microphones are placed both inside and outside the ear cup and monitor both what the user hears and the background noise. This helps to reduce a broad range of background noises while maintaining a more natural level of ambient noise when in a call. 

Whether it’s a crowded café or bustling commute, forget the commotion around you. The adaptive hybrid ANC cancels out just the right amount of noise for a quiet and comfortable experience. And with two-setting transparency mode, you can tune back into your natural surroundings.