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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Sennheiser HD 500 — biggest strength: a 10 mm cardioid condenser boom mic that plugs straight into your existing Sennheiser headphones, with in-line volume and mute right on the cable.
• Sennheiser HD 500 — biggest trade-off: it is not a headset. It is an add-on microphone that only fits certain Sennheiser models, so you must already own compatible headphones.
• Earbay Headset — biggest strength: a complete wireless package — Bluetooth 5.0, a USB dongle, a charging base, dual-device pairing and 26 hours of talk time.
• Earbay Headset — biggest trade-off: it is a single-ear on-ear design, so it is built for calls and conferencing rather than immersive listening.
• Pick Sennheiser HD 500 if you already have Sennheiser HD 500-series or HD 620S headphones and want a wired boom mic for gaming, streaming or podcasting.
• Pick Earbay Headset if you want one self-contained wireless headset for Zoom, Teams, Skype, office work or a call center desk.
The HD 500 BAM is a niche product, and it is honest about it. It is a plug-in boom arm microphone with a 1.50 m cable, a 3.5 mm jack plug, and in-line volume and mute controls. The microphone itself is a 10 mm condenser capsule with a cardioid directional pattern — that pattern is the interesting part. Cardioid pickups favour what sits in front of them and reject what sits behind and around them, which is exactly why Sennheiser can promise it cuts down background noise and room echo. For a gamer with a mechanical keyboard, or someone recording in an untreated room, that is a meaningful design choice rather than a marketing line.
Setup is deliberately simple. It twists and locks into the headphones — no tools, no magnets, no adhesive patches — and it works with the HD 505, HD 550, HD 560S, HD 559, HD 569, HD 579, HD 599, HD 599 SE and HD 620S. On the playback side the 3.5 mm plug reaches PCs, consoles, tablets and smartphones, and the box includes a Y-adapter for computer use plus spare foam pop screens. Sennheiser lists compatibility with Windows PCs, iOS and Samsung devices via USB-C adapters, Xbox controllers, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation DualSense and DualShock controllers. The capsule needs a small amount of power, but it draws that from whatever it is plugged into — no batteries, no extra cords.
Buy it if you already own one of those Sennheiser headphones and want a wired boom mic for gaming, streaming, podcasting, video meetings or conference calls without buying a whole new headset.
Skip it if you do not own a compatible Sennheiser model. It will not work with other brands, and it will not work with the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, because that model lacks the twist-lock connection. If you want wireless freedom, this is simply not the product for you.
The Earbay Headset takes the opposite approach: everything you need is in the box. You get the wireless headset, a USB dongle, a charging base, a cable and a manual. It connects over Bluetooth 5.0 with a stated range of up to 49 feet (15 metres), and it can pair with two devices at once, switching between them with a button press. That dual-mode connection matters more than it sounds — it means you can be on a laptop call and still take a call that arrives on your phone.
The call side is where Earbay has clearly aimed its effort. The ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) system is designed to suppress background noise so your voice reads clearly, and there is an instant mute button that works during active calls and meetings. The 270° rotating boom mic can sit on the left or right side, which helps if you are left-ear dominant or share a desk. The 40 mm dynamic drivers handle music and speech for everyday listening, and the on-ear leatherette cushions and adjustable headband are built for extended wear.
The most compelling number here is battery life: a full charge in 2 hours, 26 hours of talk time and 210 hours of standby, topped up either by Type-C cable or by dropping the headset onto the charging base. For back-to-back meetings, long shifts or a call-centre desk, that is the practical feature that keeps you working. Earbay also lists compatibility with Zoom, Skype, Teams and most computers, laptops, desktops, tablets and phones, plus a 12-month warranty and 24-hour support.
Buy it if you want one wireless headset for work calls, home office, online classes or call-centre use, and you value a charging base, dual-device pairing and long talk time.
Skip it if you want serious music listening or full isolation. The single-ear design deliberately keeps one ear open to your surroundings, and there is no wired jack option — it is wireless only.
• Best for microphone clarity in a noisy room → Sennheiser HD 500. The cardioid condenser capsule is designed to reject background noise and room echo at the source.
• Best for wireless freedom → Earbay Headset. Bluetooth 5.0 with up to 49 feet (15 metres) of range and no cable at all.
• Best for battery life → Earbay Headset. 26 hours of talk time, 210 hours standby and a 2-hour charge on a charging base.
• Best for gaming and streaming → Sennheiser HD 500. The boom arm, in-line volume and mute, and console support point straight at this use case.
• Best for all-day office calls → Earbay Headset. Dual-device pairing, instant mute and a rotating mic suit meeting-heavy days.
• Best for people who already own Sennheiser headphones → Sennheiser HD 500. It is an accessory, so it upgrades gear you already have instead of replacing it.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → Earbay Headset. The single-ear on-ear design keeps one ear open.
• Best for mixed listening and calls on one device → Earbay Headset. The 40 mm dynamic drivers are tuned for both music and conversation.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: do you already own a compatible Sennheiser headphone? If you do, I would buy the Sennheiser HD 500, because a cardioid boom mic with in-line controls is the more precise tool for gaming, streaming and wired desk work. If you do not, or if your day is built around wireless calls, I would buy the Earbay Headset — the dual-device pairing, charging base and 26-hour talk time make it the more complete, more flexible package. Neither is a compromise; they solve different problems.
how to use headphones with microphone
Plug the microphone into your device and select it as the input in your app's audio settings. With the Sennheiser HD 500 you twist the boom arm into a compatible Sennheiser headphone, then connect the 3.5 mm plug to your PC, console or mobile device. With the Earbay Headset, pair over Bluetooth 5.0 or use the USB dongle, then choose the headset as your input and output.
how to test headset with microphone
Open your conferencing or recording app and check that the headset is selected for both input and output. Speak normally while watching the input level meter, then move a few feet away to see how the pickup behaves. On the Sennheiser HD 500 you can mute and adjust volume in-line; on the Earbay Headset the mute button works during active calls or meetings.
how to headset microphone
If you mean positioning, keep the mic close to your mouth and slightly off to the side of your lips to avoid plosives. The Earbay boom mic rotates up to 270° so it can sit on either side, and the Sennheiser cardioid capsule is designed to reject sound arriving from behind it. Both include foam pop screens — the Sennheiser package ships with two spare ones.
how much are headphones with microphone
Pricing changes constantly, so it is not something I would quote here. What I can say from the specs is that these two products sit in different categories: the Sennheiser HD 500 is an add-on boom mic for existing headphones, while the Earbay Headset is a complete wireless headset with a charging base. Check the current price on Amazon for each before you decide.
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