How to create a better office environment with furniture, supplies, and products

Since I spend several hours a day using a telephone headset, it's important that I have one that is comfortable and that works well.  I've been using the Panasonic KX-TCA92 for about three years, and it has served the purpose.  The only thing I don't like about it is you have to press and hold the mute button.  Why anyone would actually want a non-locking mute button is beyond me, unless there are people who don't want to accidently put themselves on mute.  Who knows? I only bought it because I was in a hurry and it was the best option available at my local Staples the day I was shopping.

In any case, my Panasonic KX-TCA92 recently snapped in two (my fault - yanked it off my head too roughly) so I'm in the market to purchase a new headset.  You'd think that finding a good headset wouldn't be a difficult thing, but it's surprising how often a headset that works well for one person doesn't work at all for someone else.  I've come to the conclusion that it has something to do with the interaction between the headset and the telephone equipment. 

As good fortune would have it, the subject of headset recommendations just came up on a discussion list that I belong to, and one headset in particular had multiple recommendations.

Ken Winston Caine of Mind Body Spirit Journal wrote: 

I like the Plantronics M175. Lightweight, over the head set with a mute button and volume control. My general feeling is that you can't go wrong with anything from Plantronics in terms of quality. I've been using Plantronics headsets since starting work as a young reporter at the beginning of the '70s. Headsets have gotten much lighter over the years and come with more whistles and bells. Have tried many other brands and have just not found the sound quality and durability that I get with Plantronics. Big individual issue is how you like the thing affixed to your body. I can't handle the around-the-ear clips. Highly recommend you get one with volume control and mute. The Panasonic M175 has a 2.5mm plug. Works on most cells and cordless phonesets.

Chris Hutchinson of the Trebuchet Group concurs:

Hands down this is the best one I've used, and I have a small box in the corner with several rejects. The M175 [has] very clear tone and light-weight. And the locking mute button is a lifesaver... Also another handy hint is that if you have a desk phone with a 2.5mm jack on it (like our Panasonic multi-line phones) you can buy 2.5mm stereo cord extensions up to 12 feet long that allow you to be wired and yet free to walk across your office. Typically you'll see these listed as LANC control cable extensions - as long as they are stereo 2.5mm extensions they'll work with your phone. And they are relatively inexpensive.

Suggested retail for the Panasonic M175 is about $60, but you can buy new ones for about $10 from this eBay seller (thanks to Ken Winston Caine for the Ebay tip).