EPOS Impact 500 Hybrid ANC Headset Review

I started a new job in IT support a bit over a year ago, and now I spend a lot of my day taking support calls from clients. In the past year, I have reviewed the budget EPOS Impact 100 and the mid-range EPOS Impact 400.

I had previously been using an EPOS gaming headset for work, and it worked reasonably well, but I found it wasn’t ideal in a busy office environment. Voice clarity was not as good, and the lack of sidetone meant I was a bit shouty when on the phone, which I am sure annoyed my colleagues.

So, for almost a year, I have been using the Impact 400, and it has performed well, even if it isn’t quite as advanced as I’d like.

EPOS has now launched the Impact 500, which is a Bluetooth hybrid ANC headset. I don’t have the official RRP, but at the time of writing, Balilicom had already listed it at £200, with a discount to £150.

This makes it a more affordable alternative to the  Impact 1000 series, which has an RRP of £258 and is available for around £230.

Related Reviews

• EPOS Impact 400 Headset Review
• EPOS Impact 100 Review 
• EPOS Impact 1000 headset Review 
• EPOS H3 Hybrid Gaming Headset Review
• Soundcore Space One Pro Review
• Creative Zen Hybrid Pro SXFI Headphones Review

Features

• BrainAdapt Technology: Reduces cognitive fatigue and listening effort by enhancing audio clarity and lowering background distractions.
• Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Minimises background noise during calls or when focusing in open offices.
• Voice Pick-up and Clarity: Dual microphones and EPOS AI-assisted tuning ensure clear voice transmission while filtering unwanted noise.
• Certified Compatibility: Certified for Microsoft Teams (including Open Office standard), Zoom, and Google Meet.
• Teams Over Bluetooth Support: A forthcoming firmware update will enable native Teams functionality via Bluetooth without needing a dongle.
• Talk-Through Mode: Allows users to have quick, in-person conversations without removing the headset.
• Busy Light Indicator: Single-sided LED to show availability status.
• Call Control via Boom Arm: Tilt down to answer and lift up to mute calls effortlessly.
• EPOS ActiveGard: Protects users against sudden bursts of sound to prevent acoustic shock.
• EPOS EU Noise Limiter: Keeps daily exposure below 85 dB for hearing safety.

Connectivity

• Wireless Range: Up to 30 metres (98 ft) using the included BTD 900c USB-C dongle.
• Native Bluetooth: Connects directly to laptops, tablets, and smartphones without a dongle.
• Multi-Point Connection: Supports connection to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously.
• Device Pairing: Pairs with up to eight devices for easy switching between workstations.
• Dongle & Adapter: Includes BTD 900c dongle and USB-C to USB-A adapter for universal use.
• Microsoft Swift Pair: Enables rapid, hassle-free connection with Windows devices via Bluetooth.

Audio and Performance

• Battery Life: Over 35 hours of active talk time per charge.
• Hybrid ANC System: Custom-tuned for open office scenarios to reduce ambient sound.
• Speech Enhancement: Optimised microphone array for natural voice reproduction.
• EPOS AIT (AI Technology): Adaptive noise suppression to maintain a balanced voice tone across varied environments.

Design

The Impact 500 model I was sent is the dual-sided model and adopts a similar design to the Impact 400, but with a few more on-ear controls and a wireless design.

The boom arm can be rotated 180 degrees, allowing you to switch it from left to right. You can have the arm set to answer the call when pulled down from a vertical position.

You then have volume buttons and the power/dongle/Bluetooth switch, and USB-C port on the arm side.

On the opposite side is the ANC button. As I switched this on and off throughout the day, I found it handy having it by itself on one side, as it was easier to find when I wanted to enable it.

You then get the BTD 900c dongle, which includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter. This is pre-paired to the headset, so you can use the headset immediately with no pairing or software needed.

EPOS App

The EPOS app is very basic, but it allows you to upgrade the firmware on the headset and tweak a few settings not on the headset itself.

Some useful settings include adjusting the sidetone, disabling talk-through when on a call, the media mode and audio limiter.

Performance

The Impact 500 has performed amazingly well while I have been reviewing it. The wired free design helps tremendously, giving me the flexibility to move around without the wire tugging and get up from my desk without taking them off.  

Active Noise Cancelling

The ANC functionality was the standout feature for me.  I struggle with auditory processing, especially when there is background noise, and I am not very good at understanding people with thick accents or a quiet voice.

I have found the ANC works reasonably well, but there is quite a bit of difference between this and consumer in-ear earphones or over-ear headphones.

With the on-ear design of these, they inevitably don’t perform as well as earphones that seal the ear canal fully.

I also find that these are prone to that unusual sensation you get from ANC, which feels slightly disorienting. I suspect this is due to the design, with ambient noise leaking through.

Part of the problem is due to the nature of the job, I am constantly taking the headset on or off, so it is very noticeable when the ANC is enabled.

However, the ANC does work well, there is a significant reduction in ambient noise, and it makes it easier to hear clients on the phone when other people are talking around me, which is essential for any sort of call centre/help desk/sales role.

Call Quality

As always with EPOS headsets, and most headsets in general, call quality is excellent.

That being said, I do find the Impact 400 call quality better; the wired nature allows the audio quality to remain consistently excellent, whereas the Impact 500 occasionally has some crackliness to it.

The volume seems to be much higher than the Impact 400 and 100, while you obviously need to be careful with your hearing, I find some end users have a very quiet voice or their 3CX system is unusually quiet. With my audio processing issues, being able to dial up the volume in this scenario is a great help.

Microphone quality seems to be excellent; I don’t notice a significant difference between this and the wired models.

One of the main benefits I find from a headset designed for office use is the built-in sidetone. Hearing my voice back reduces how loud I speak and, therefore, makes me less annoying to my colleagues. I found that using the built-in Windows sidetone had a slight latency, which caused more problems than it solved.

Battery Life

The battery is rated for over 35 hours of active talk time per charge, but the product specs are not clear if this is with ANC on or off.

That would work out at 7 hours a day of active talk time so it should easily last over a working week per charge.

I am certainly not talking 7 hours per day, but I can confirm it easily lasts a week. I am in the office 4 days a week and normally put it on charge when I leave the office on Thursdays either every week, or every other week.

Throughout the week, I use ANC on and off depending on the noise levels at the time.

So, I think this should be more than adequate for the most demanding of users.

Price and Alternative Options

As previously mentioned, I don’t have the official RRP yet, but it appears to be £200, with Ballicom listing it at £150.

The EPOS Impact 1060T ANC are well worth considering as they are available for £230, which I don’t think is a significant price difference when you are likely using these for many hours per day.

Looking for headset recommendations online the Poly Voyager Focus 2 is often mentioned. It is available from £135 and is a Bluetooth headset (no dongle) with ANC, but it has the flat style ear cushions, which inevitably means it will let in significantly more ambient noise. 

The closest priced Jabra model is the Jabra Evolve2 55 which is similar to the Poly with the flat earpieces.

If you did want an over-ear ANC headset, then the Jabra Evolve2 85 seems to be the most recommended, but those cost £300!

Overall

While I have been happy with the Impact 400 over the past year, the Impact 500 have been a huge upgrade for me.

I was most excited about the ANC, but I have found I don’t use it as much as expected. It works well, but unlike headphones for media, I find it is best switched off until you actually need it.

The wireless design, outstanding battery, and excellent volume all make this a massive upgrade to the 400 series. Call quality is excellent, but not quite as good as wired models.

After working on a help desk for over a year, I can appreciate the benefits of investing in a good quality headset. It is an essential part of the job and well worth spending a bit extra for the improved performance.

I generally prefer the soft on-ear cup to the flat, harder style that competing brands and the Impact 100 have. Therefore, for me, the Impact 500 is a superior choice to the similarly priced competing options.

Overall, I think the EPOS Impact 500 is an excellent headset and I can give it a strong recommendation.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.