EPOS IMPACT 1000 ANC Double-sided ANC Wireless Headset Review

Sep. 19, 2023 09:45AM EST

Now that we are all starting to return to the office, there will be a greater need for a quality headset to help you communicate effectively during those Zoom or Microsoft Teams calls. Unless you are working in an office or have access to a conference room or meeting space, it will be challenging to conduct these video calls without disturbing your neighbor or cutting out office noise when on your call. So, a good headset that will give you a quality sound experience and help you communicate effectively is essential. We just finished testing a new double-sided headset with ANC that will provide the necessary features to ensure your Microsoft Teams or other video calls run smoothly. It is called the EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC Headset, and here is our review.

What is EPOS Impact 1000 ANC Headset?

EPOS IMPACT 1000 ANC Double-sided ANC Wireless Headset unboxedGearBrain

The EPOS Impact 1000 ANC headset and stand is a professional-grade wireless headset with active noise cancellation (ANC) and a charging stand. It is designed for use in open office environments and call centers and offers excellent sound quality, comfort, and durability.

The headset features a lightweight, ergonomic design, soft ear cushions, and headband padding. It also has a built-in microphone with noise cancellation for clear and crisp calls. The microphone also comes with Adaptive microphone technology that uses EPOS AI to ensure everyone can hear you perfectly when on a call.

The ANC feature helps block out ambient noise so you can focus on your work or conversations. The headset also has a transparency mode that allows you to hear your surroundings when needed.

The headset has a charging stand that keeps you charged and ready to use anytime. It also comes with a nice travel case so you can use the headset when out of the office.

EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC Headset and standGearBrain

One of the most significant distinctions between EPOS Impact 1000 and other headsets is its EPOS BrainAdapt technology. What is this tech, and how does it work? EPOS BrainAdapt technology is a suite of audio technologies designed to improve the human brain's performance in noisy environments. It is based on decades of research in psychoacoustics and neuroscience and has been shown to improve focus, concentration, and reaction time.

EPOS BrainAdapt technology works by using a combination of audio processing algorithms and speaker design to create a more immersive and realistic soundstage. This helps the brain to filter out unwanted noise better and focus on the essential sounds.

One of the critical features of EPOS BrainAdapt technology is its ability to dynamically adjust the sound profile based on the user's environment. This is done using a combination of microphone inputs and machine learning algorithms. The algorithms are trained to identify different noise types and adjust the sound profile accordingly.

For example, if the user is in a noisy office environment, the EPOS BrainAdapt technology will boost the mid-range frequencies where human speech is concentrated. This helps the user to better hear and understand their colleagues, even in background noise.

Another critical feature of EPOS BrainAdapt technology is its ability to create a more realistic soundstage. This is done using a combination of speaker design and audio processing algorithms. The speaker design creates a wider soundstage, which helps the brain better localize sound direction. The audio processing algorithms then add further realism to the soundstage by simulating the effects of distance and reverberation.

This more realistic soundstage helps the brain process and understand the sound environment better. This is especially important in gaming and other immersive experiences, where the ability to localize sounds accurately can give the user a competitive advantage.

Other key features of the EPOS IMPACT 1000 include:

Certified for using Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Google Voice, and Unified Communication.
Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, which lets users stay connected to three devices simultaneously.
Talk-through mode allows users to communicate with colleagues in person without removing the headset.
360 busy light illuminates when users are on a call, signaling to colleagues not to disturb.
The headset has a 30-meter or 100-foot range. So, if you need to leave your desk while on a call, ensure it is within range.

The EPOS IMPACT 1000 has a free app (iOS and Android) to help you control your headset. Users can control the volume from their headset, see the battery life, turn ANC on and off, and adjust call and device settings (i.e., turn on the wear setting, which will answer your call as soon as you put on your headset.).

EPOS App - Device Settings

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EPOS App - Device Settings

EPOS app allows you to control all the features for the EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC Headset.

EPOS App - Wear Detection

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EPOS App - Wear Detection

Wear detection in the EPOS app allows you to have your headset to answer a call once you put your headset on.

EPOS App - Media Mode

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EPOS Aoo - Media Mode

Media mode can help you connect your headset to one device or up to three Bluetooth devices at once.

How to set up your EPOS IMPACT 1000 headset and stand.

To set up the EPOS IMPACT 1000 ANC headset and stand, follow these simple steps:

Unbox the headset and stand.
Place the charging stand on a flat surface.
Connect the charging stand to a power source using the included USB-C cable.
Place the headset on the charging stand to charge it.
Download the EPOS app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
Press and hold the power button to turn on the headset for 2 seconds.
To pair the headset with your device, open the Bluetooth settings on your device and select the EPOS IMPACT 1000 headset.
If pairing to a second device, go to that device's settings and select EPOS IMPACT 1060 ANC to pair.
Once the headset is paired, you can use it simultaneously with up to three Bluetooth devices.

You can adjust the headset's fit by adjusting the headband and ear cups. You can also change the microphone boom arm to position it in front of your mouth.

Press the ANC button on the headset to use the active noise cancellation (ANC) feature. The ANC button has a light that will turn on when ANC is enabled. You can also use the EPOS app to turn ANC on and off.

To use the transparency mode, press and hold the ANC button for 2 seconds. The transparency mode allows you to hear your surroundings without removing the headset.

To turn off the headset, hold the power button for 2 seconds.

Here are some additional tips we found while testing the EPOS IMPACT 1061 headset and stand:

Keep the headset charged by hanging it on the stand when not used. The headset will automatically turn off when the battery is low.
Clean the headset regularly with a soft cloth.
Avoid exposing the headset to extreme temperatures or humidity.
If you are having problems with the headset, try restarting it. To restart the headset, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.

EPOS IMPACT 1000 series headsets with ANCGearBrain

Smart Home Integrations

EPOS IMPACT 1000 series headsets can be used to control smart devices. However, you need to have your voice assistant app on your mobile device, and the smart devices must be connected to your headset's mobile device or computer. The headset has no direct integrations with smart home devices or systems.

How much does the EPOS IMPACT 1000 ANC Headset and Stand cost?

The cost of this headset is based on the configuration you choose. The base price for just the headset is $289 for a single-sided headset and $349 for double-sided headset. When you add ANC, the charging station, and certified Microsoft Teams or Google Meet features, the cost will increase for the double-sided headsets only. These features are not available with single-sided headsets. We tested the EPOS IMPACT 1060T ANC headset with a stand and certification. This headset has an MSRP of $429, and you can request a trial on the company website or find a dealer near you using their dealer locator.

Is this a reasonable price for a headset with ANC, Microsoft Teams Certification, and a charging stand? Based on the several Bluetooth headsets we have tested over the past few months, we can say this is a relatively high price for a wireless headset, but it is justified by its high quality and feature set. For instance, you will find many headsets with ANC and Bluetooth connectivity. However, not many headsets can dynamically adjust the sound profile in the headset based on the user's environment. Consider this when comparing EPOS IMPACT 1000 headsets with other Bluetooth headsets and stands.

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Tested EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC headset for several weeksGearBrain

Performance

After testing the EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC headset and stand for several weeks, we found them effective on our Google Meet calls. The sound quality was good, and the ANC worked exceptionally well. At first, we had to get used to the sound quality in the headset. The ANC was so good we felt like we were in a box when speaking with people on a video call. But it cut out all the noise around us. The sound quality was excellent and immersive when we played music or watched a video on the headset. There is no built-in EQ to adjust the proper mix in the app, but for how we used the headset, the mix was good enough, and there was no need to adjust any levels.

As for the sound on the other end of our video and phone calls was clear and crisp. The users could hear us without any background noise, which was nice.

As for comfort, the headset was fine. They are lightweight, and the earcups are soft and comfy. We did not experience any discomfort when wearing the headset for long periods. They functioned as advertised.

EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC Headset and stand didn't take up a lot of space on our desk.GearBrain

Regarding the stand, it did its job of keeping our headset charged. The headset sat nicely on the strand and was not too big to fit on our desk. You must ensure you have an outlet near your desk to plug it in.

What was the best feature of these headsets? The features we liked the most about the EPOS IMPACT 1000 ANC headset were media mode and call settings. For media mode, we could choose between focused and dynamic settings. The focused setting had the headset ignore audio from any source other than the current one we were using. The Dynamic setting allowed us to switch between sources, which was helpful when using our laptop and mobile device.

In the call settings mode, users can set up their headset to answer a call once they take the headset off the charging stand and put it on. They can also activate the microphone to turn off once you remove the headset. This came in handy when we were on a video call and had to talk to someone who came into our office. We didn't have to push any mute buttons. The headset did it for us.

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Summary

The EPOS IMPACT 1000 Series ANC headset (especially the IMPACT 1061T ANC) and stand are excellent choices for professionals needing a high-quality wireless headset with ANC. These headsets are comfortable to wear for long periods, offering superior sound quality and noise cancellation. Their app has awesome call features and settings to make online video calls effective. We like how their EPOS BrainAdapt technology is designed to improve the human brain's performance in noisy environments. Not many headset makers have spent decades researching psychoacoustics and neuroscience to enhance focus, concentration, and reaction time.

Who should use EPOS IMPACT 1000 ANC headsets? If you need a high-quality wireless headset in a noisy environment, such as an open office or call center, then the EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC headset and stand is a good option. However, if you are only looking for a basic wireless headset for casual use, you may not need to spend as much money.

If your company uses Microsoft Teams, these headsets would also be an excellent option to consider. Using the enclosed Bluetooth dongle, you can use the headset to control Microsoft Teams without using your keyboard or mouse. You can use the headset to open the Microsoft Teams app, start a new call, or join a meeting. It's relatively simple to do.

Overall, if you are looking for a headset that can improve your video call's performance in noisy environments or need a high-quality wireless headset with ANC that is comfortable to wear for long periods and offers excellent sound quality and noise cancellation, the EPOS IMPACT 1061 ANC headset and stand is a good choice. You have to decide if you want to spend over $400 for a headset and stand. And you have to determine whether the EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC is the right product for you and can meet your needs and preferences.

Pros

Microsoft Teams and Google Meet/Google Voice certified
EPOS BrainAdapt technology
Quality sound and ANC

Cons

Price

If you need help finding other smart office devices, remember to visit The GearBrain, our compatibility find engine. It will help you find, buy, and connect any smart device, including headsets like EPOS IMPACT 1061T ANC wireless headset and stand.

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