Do you feel that Airpods Max/Over Ear Headphones are Unprofessional?

[Adamantium411]

I’m starting a new job soon, which, naturally, is going to be remote for a while, and I can’t decide if I should wear my APM for Zoom meetings. I feel like I look a little goofy/unprofessional compared to the sleekness of APP.

What do you guys think? Preferably, those in professional, remote, positions.

 

[chrfr]

I’m starting a new job soon, which, naturally, is going to be remote for a while, and I can’t decide if I should wear my APM for Zoom meetings. I feel like I look a little goofy/unprofessional compared to the sleekness of APP.

What do you guys think? Preferably, those in professional, remote, positions.

Nobody cares. Everything is less important than audio quality.

 

[Wando64]

Nobody cares. Everything is less important than audio quality.

I respectfully disagree.
In a work Zoom meeting Audio quality is of secondary importance when compared with the appearance of the speaker and their surroundings.

 

[chrfr]

I respectfully disagree.
In a work Zoom meeting Audio quality is of secondary importance when compared with the appearance of the speaker and their surroundings.

This definitely is not the case with the work conferencing I do.

 

[velocityg4]

While I don't think anyone will actually care. At least subconsciously. I think it'll give a negative impression.

It really depends on the work though. I mean if all you're seeing is cluttered rooms and people wearing T-shirts and sweats. It doesn't matter.

If everyone is well dressed and the rooms you see look immaculate. I'd be wearing a button up shirt, blazer and small earpieces.

It's always better to ere on looking professional with no visual distractions first. Then you can gauge what is the norm and dress down.

 

[Adamantium411]

I respectfully disagree.
In a work Zoom meeting Audio quality is of secondary importance when compared with the appearance of the speaker and their surroundings.

See, that’s my thinking. Do you feel that over ear headphones are unprofessional?

 

[Adamantium411]

While I don't think anyone will actually care. At least subconsciously. I think it'll give a negative impression.

It really depends on the work though. I mean if all you're seeing is cluttered rooms and people wearing T-shirts and sweats. It doesn't matter.

If everyone is well dressed and the rooms you see look immaculate. I'd be wearing a button up shirt, blazer and small earpieces.

It's always better to ere on looking professional with no visual distractions first. Then you can gauge what is the norm and dress down.

Good insights. I guess I’ll have to gauge it after I start. There really is no right answer.

 

[chrfr]

Good insights. I guess I’ll have to gauge it after I start. There really is no right answer.

My employer supplies us with over-ear headsets. They're not AirPods Max, but they are over-ear. I typically use my Sony over-ear headphones, however, because I want to cancel out background sound whether I'm at home or in my office.
As for the background, I blur it or put up a virtual background. What my home looks like is not the business of anyone at work.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

People wear APP and look like total slobs because their home is untidy, hair unkempt, face unwashed, dirty clothes, worn t-shirts.”, too casually dressed, etc.

Other people wear $20 over ear headphones and look like pros because they’re completely styled and their room is clean and they sit up straight and have nice posture.

What I’m saying is that I think you should think of the whole picture instead of just the headphones.

Some times the ANC does not make the man.

 

[Wando64]

Do you feel that over ear headphones are unprofessional?

I don't think they are "unprofessional", but they are probably unnecessary.
IMO, there is already so much that is creating "distance" between people conferencing with Zoom that I would personally try to look, as much as I can, as natural as I would be during a face to face conversation. Any visual reminder that we are talking remotely constitutes a distraction.
I must stress that this is only my personal opinion and your successive comment of gauging the mood after you start seems eminently sensible.

 

[usagora]

Since they serve an obvious purpose (which would be apparent to anyone in the meeting) and are not a fashion statement, I think it would be very strange for it to be viewed as unprofessional. If you wore a beanie cap or something like that, that would be different

 

[Phil77354]

I respectfully disagree.
In a work Zoom meeting Audio quality is of secondary importance when compared with the appearance of the speaker and their surroundings.

That is completely and 100% backwards, for crying out loud.

I have been working remotely for over a year and using video conferencing tools for much of that time. My home setup (iMac) uses a USB microphone (Blue Yeti) and wired over-the-ear headphones (Sony professional).

My experience in video conferencing using various applications (Zoom, Teams, Webex) is that the audio quality is of primary importance, with video quality second (and individual appearance should not even be a consideration).

The objective of these meetings is to have the best possible quality communication between the participants. Audio issues can be common and distracting. For example, participants may still frequently forget to mute (or un-mute). More serious audio feedback is not unusual depending on the setup of each individual, and their hardware/software/connection. All of these issues take away from the effectiveness of the call and the ability to have a group discussion that can begin to approximate more 'normal' working conditions.

Using headphones is one way to minimize if not entirely remove most if not all of these audio issues. A participant who is using headphones should not be subject to audio feedback between their speaker (headphones) and microphone. Their participation in the call should be solely judged upon their contributions, and should not be influenced by technical issues because they are not distracting the meeting with feedback or poor quality audio.

Personal appearance should be appropriate for normal working interactions, but other than that how you look should not matter in the slightest.

Added point - I'm not saying that any particular type of headphones are required in order to eliminate audio issues. I am saying that in my experience they remove that possibility for some of the participants on these video meeting calls, and I appreciate those meeting participants who are wearing wired (or wireless) headphones because I know that their own connection is unlikely to be causing feedback or other audio interference with the discussion.

(edited to improve the clarity of points made)

 

[Saladin12]

I was provided over ear headphones for work and consistently people use:

1. Over ear headphones
2. In ear headphones (both wired and wireless)
3. No headphones

There is no one right way at my company but like many have said above, it depends on the culture there. I’m guessing though that 9.9/10 colleagues/managers will not care one bit.

 

[thefourthpope]

Headsets (I’ll lump the Max in this category) do look goofy, but the audio quality is completely worth it in my opinion. When I record videos I wear my AirPods for a bit more freedom, but in live situations the headset is understood, accepted, and given the comments I’ve received is appreciated as well.

In my space, with a spouse also working remotely, two kids, and two dogs, the improved background noise reduction alone is worth the less streamlined visual.

I’m a professor teaching, committeeing, and researching/collaborating via Zoom.

 

[thefourthpope]

I respectfully disagree.
In a work Zoom meeting Audio quality is of secondary importance when compared with the appearance of the speaker and their surroundings.

I respectfully disagree. The presenter’s content is far more important than their background, and audio quality can determine your ability to access their content.

 

[jazz1]

Well it could be worse. I wore a variation of these for my long ago gig at my college's AM radio station Of course no-one could see me! Well on the other hand I kind of miss the Koss headphones.

Seriously, I think the Apple headphones don't look any worse than my other over-the-ear headphones, or Apple in-ear dongle earbuds.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

I was provided over ear headphones for work and consistently people use:

1. Over ear headphones
2. In ear headphones (both wired and wireless)
3. No headphones

There is no one right way at my company but like many have said above, it depends on the culture there. I’m guessing though that 9.9/10 colleagues/managers will not care one bit.

^^This.

To add an differentiation between internal and external meetings:

Internal: In my office, I am a manager, and I don't care what audio device the team members use as long as it works and they are comfortable with. So the company culture is freedom for choice.

External: In mixed meetings with people fron different offices and companies, it doesn't matter at all because each company has its own culture (if any) so there is no "uniform" device picture in the Zoom screen.

 

[doboy]

Whatever you decide, make sure to wear pants

 

[Scarboose]

Depends on your work! If you’re in sales, over ear can look unprofessional. If you’re only working with internal staff, who cares as long as you get your work done ?

 

[Wando64]

I respectfully disagree. The presenter’s content is far more important than their background, and audio quality can determine your ability to access their content.

That is completely and 100% backwards, for crying out loud.

Since when the audio quality of a Zoom call is determined by the quality of the headphones you are wearing instead of the quality of the microphone of the speaker or, more likely, by the quality of the internet connection?

Moreover, the discussion here is over whether it is better to wear AirPods Max or AirPods Pro.
Surely the relative quality of either option is really not the issue. No?

Anyway, as I have already said, it is a matter of opinion so I accept that someone might prefer over the ear headphones for whatever reason.

 

[LeonPro]

If people dictate what kind of ear piece you are using versus the quality of participation you are providing, I'd be concerned and wouldn't want to work there. I don't care what you're using, as long as what you're saying is productive.

 

[KUKitch]

No, I don't feel that they are at all. I've taken to using them almost exclusively over my Pros since getting them, and as far as over-ears go - I'd say they're fairly well-styled and minimal. We can request headphones from our work, and they have boom headphones and look pretty lousy overall, but personally I couldn't give two sh*ts how somebody looks as long as I can hear them clearly

 

[Seanm87]

I wouldn’t do it personally but that’s just me. I would use my AirPod pros.

 

[OneMike]

This will vary by company, culture and in some cases position. This can also depend on if you’re talking about internal meetings or speaking to customers.

Personally, for Internal meetings, unless you’re wearing a gaming headset with lights on it or something along those lines. That’s acceptable in my opinion.

 

[vladi]

Problem is the weight if you ask me. It's completely different when you walk around and listen to the music you love than when you sit still and listen bunch of useless bs most of the time. Meetings introduce more mental fatigue and then suddenly you start to feel the weight on top of your head.