Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I received apparently one of the first Plantronics CT14 cordless headset telephones, and the bottom line is that there are no big surprises, which means I like the telephone given that I had high expectations in view of my previous experience with Plantronics quality. I did not have either of the previous models, CT12 or CT10, so I cannot compare to those. However at my office for a number of years I have been using a CS10 cordless headset system which works with a multi-line telephone, and I have become quite addicted to using a headset. Based on what I think is an objective test, the audio quality and volume of the CT14 are superb. The way I test that is to call my own voicemail and, during the same call, switch between various telephones while leaving a message. Then I listen to the recorded message, again switching among various telephones. That lets me hear the quality for myself, without relying on a person I am talking to for a report. One characteristic I am pleased to see included is that it is possible to chain dial from recorded numbers in the "phonebook." Thus, when I use a calling card with a 1-800 access number I can then access the PIN in the phonebook to have that dialed as well, followed by the number of the person I am calling. With some other telephones, after you have used the "phonebook" and the call is in progress, the directory scrolling keys change to a different function (e.g. volume) and all the remaining numbers must be dialed by hand. A negative thing I have to say about the CT14 is that there is a higher level of background noise than I am accustomed to, which I suspect (but do not know for sure) is an inherent part of the DECT 6.0 technology which uses a single frequency band for both sides of the conversation, and uses time division duplex. So, digitally, a lot is going on behind the scenes, and I think I am hearing digital artifacts. This is mitigated somewhat because there is ample volume. So the volume can be turned down, which reduces the background noise, while still being able to hear the person on the other side. At some point I may compare to another DECT 6.0 telephone, or attempt to see what Plantronics has on this issue. (Update: I called Plantronics and a very pleasant rep assured me that the background noise I am hearing is not normal. The background should be quiet. He gave me an RMA number to send back the telephone for a replacement, but before I do that I am going to try the telephone someplace else. It is possible there is some sort of electrical interference unique to my house. Now that I finally have this telephone, I am very reluctant to part with it for any length of time. I really like it.) Earlier complaints regarding the predecessor CT12 concerned interference with Wi-Fi networks, and it seems clear that is not a problem with the CT14. The CT14 operates on a different frequency band (1920-1930 MHz versus 2400-2500 MHz), and that is an advertised feature of the CT14. Update December 4, 2011: After 2-1/2 years the CT14 remains my favorite telephone, although I am currently doing without it due to a second failure of the headset cord, and am waiting for a possible replacement from Panasonic. Thus the cord on the headset is definitely a weak link in this design where, with flexing eventually either the person at the other end can't hear you, or you can't hear the other person. This happens even though I am careful, and something I do not experience with my CS10 at the office, which is still going strong after perhaps 7 to 10 years, despite being a discontinued model, and despite being used much more than my CT14 at home. My point is that Panasonic evidently has taken shortcuts with the design of the headset cord for the CT14 compared to the CS10. The headset itself sounds very good, up until the time the cord fails. (At least one time I was able to get a replacement headset directly from Panasonic through a cumbersome process on their website for less than a "Spare M170 Headset CT14" from amazon.com; currently waiting to see price and availability now that my first replacement has failed, like the original.) Regarding the background noise issue, that has never been resolved. The replacement telephone Plantronics sent had exactly the same problem, and my last letter to them (in June of 2009) has apparently been ignored. Until I am convinced otherwise, I will assume the background noise is a design issue, and something that a person just has to live with.