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How Does a Plantronics Headset Connect to My Phone?

Plantronics QuickDisconnect (also called "QD") refers to the flat, black, plastic connector (photo at left) at the end of every Plantronics H-series headset. (H-series refers to headset model numbers beginning with the letter "H"). All the headsets shown on this site in the sections entitled "Over-the-Head Headsets," "Over-the-Ear Headsets," "Convertible Headsets," and "Behind-the-Neck Headsets" have a QuickDisconnect at the end of their cords. The QD at the end of your headset cord must connect to a reciprocating QD in order to interface with your telephone.

Most common method of connecting any H-series Plantronics headset to a telephone:
In the majority of cases we recommend the M12 Vista which is compatible with most single- and multi-line corded phones. The M12 comes complete with a long, stretchy, coil cable with the QuickDisconnect device at one end to connect to your "H" series headset and a plastic modular plug at the other end to connect to your phone's handset port or dedicated headset port, if available. If you are looking for a cordless solution, the Plantronics CA10 also comes with a QD connector cord which works with any "H" series headset. (The CS10 complete cordless system comes with its own headset and does not feature QD.) Whether you choose a corded (M12 Vista) or cordless (CA10 or CS10) Plantronics solution, you will most likely connect the device through your phone's handset port. Installation is quick and simple and all necessary cords and batteries are included. If your phone has a dedicated headset port, you will connect the M12, CA10 or CS10 to that modular port instead of your modular handset port.

Phones with special compatibility requirements:

  • Northern Telecom:
    • Meridian SL1 models M3903, M3904, M3905
    • Meridian Norstar models M7310, M7208, M7308, M7316, M7324, M7900, NT8B20, NT8B30, NT8B40, NT8B50
    • SL100 model NTZK23AA, AB: (M2216):ACDI
    • Nortel models 3403, 3404, 3405
  • NEC:
    • Electra Elite Dterm Series E models DTU-8, DTU-8D, DTU-16, DTU-16D, DTU-32, DTU-32D, DPT-8, DPT-8D, DPT-16, DPT-16D, DPT-32, DPT-32D
  • Mitel:
    • SuperSet 4000 Series models 4015, 4025, 4125, 4150;
    • IP Phone: models 5020, 5020i, 5140
  • Siemens:
    • Optiset E (CA or HA Option Module)
  • GE:
    • Model 2-9451
If you have one of the headset-ready telephone models listed above, we recommend Plantronics "P" series (Polaris) headsets. Every Plantronics Polaris headset comes complete with the necessary long, stretchy, coil cable featuring a Quick Disconnect piece at one end (to connect to your Polaris headset) and a modular plug at the other end (to connect to your phone). You will not need an M12 Vista or any other type of amplifier or adapter. Click here to see a complete list of Polaris headset styles. Special Note: Only for Nortel Meridian phone users purchasing the CA10 or CS10 cordless system with the HL10 handset lifter, click here to learn about the special external ring sensor which is necessary for proper HL10 functionality with your phone.

Cisco IP Phones (7900-series):
Do you have a Cisco IP telephone? If so, you do not need to purchase a Plantronics adapter such as the M12 Vista. Click here for more detailed information regarding connecting a Plantronics H-series headset to your Cisco IP phone using a direct connect cord with Quick Disconnect at one end and a modular plug at the other end which goes directly into your dedicated headset port.

Avaya IP Phones (4600-series):
Do you have an Avaya IP telephone? If so, you do not need to purchase a Plantronics adapter such as the M12 Vista. Click here for more detailed information regarding connecting a Plantronics H-series headset to your Avaya IP phone using the special HIP-1 cord with Quick Disconnect at one end and a modular plug at the other end which goes into your dedicated headset port.

AT&T, Lucent, Avaya Definity 75/85 Call Master 602, Call Master II, III, IV:
If you have one of these phone models, you will need the P10 plug prong adapter (instead of the M12 Vista) along with any Plantronics H-series headset. The headset connects to the P10 with Quick Disconnect. The P10 has two large prongs which fit into the reciprocating port on your phone. Click here for more product information on the P10 adapter.

AT&T, Lucent, Avaya Call Master V:
If you have Call Master V phones, you do not need to purchase an external adapter/amplifier such as an M12 Vista. You would simply purchase any H-series headset (using the blue buttons on the left side of this site such as "Over-the-Head," "Over-the-Ear," "Convertible" or "Behind-the-Neck") as well as an inexpensive M12 cord. The modular plug at the end of the M12 cord will plug directly into your headset port and the QuickDisconnect piece at the other end of the cord will connect to your H-series headset.

AT&T, Lucent, Avaya Partner and Partner Plus MLS-series phones as well as Definity 8101, 8110, 6200, 7100 analog sets:
If you have a fairly recent model of the Partner or Partner Plus phone, you probably have an auxiliary port on the bottom of your phone. It is a standard modular port marked "AUX" or "Auxiliary." If you are looking for a cordless headset solution, you should purchase the Avaya 10U100 complete system which simply plugs directly into your auxiliary port and acts as a cordless extension of your existing phone. (For older Partner sets without an auxiliary port, the Avaya 10U100 comes complete with a splitter you can use to connect your unit at your modular wall jack.) Please note that the cordless remote pack does not let you change lines or transfer calls while away from your desk. You would need to be back at your desk to push the necessary buttons on your Partner phone. If you are looking for a traditional corded headset solution, you will need the Plantronics SP02-H amplifier/adapter paired with any H-series headset found by clicking on the blue buttons on the left side of this site ("Over-the-Head," "Over-the-Ear," "Convertible" or "Behind-the-Neck"). The SP02-H gives Partner phone users the added benefit of "on-hook functionality" which means that you do not need to take your handset on and off the cradle for every call.

AT&T, Lucent, Avaya phone models Definity 6416D+M, 6424D+M
Do you have one of the AT&T, Lucent or Avaya phone models listed above? If so, you do not need to purchase a Plantronics adapter such as the M12 Vista. You would connect your H-series headset to your phone using what is called an HIC-1 cord which has a Quick Disconnect at one end and a modular plug at the other end which goes into your headset port. For for more detailed information regarding connecting a Plantronics H-series headset to your phone, click here. Note: If you are looking for a cordless headset solution, you should select the Avaya LKA10 for maximum functionality along with remote dial pad. Your remote pack does not allow you to transfer calls or switch lines remotely. You would need to return to your desk and push the appropriate buttons on your desk phone to perform these functions. The HL10 handset lifter is not required for the 6416D+M or the 6424D+M models.

AT&T, Lucent, Avaya Merlin Magix 4424LD+ (4400-WLD), 4424D+ (4400-W24), 4412D+ (4400-W12), 4406D+ (4400-W06):
Do you have one of the AT&T, Lucent or Avaya phone models listed above? If so, you do not need to purchase a Plantronics adapter such as the M12 Vista. You would connect your H-series headset to your phone using what is called an HIC-1 cord which has a Quick Disconnect at one end and a modular plug at the other end which goes into your headset port. For for more detailed information regarding connecting a Plantronics H-series headset to your phone, click here. Note: If you are looking for a cordless headset solution, you should select the Plantronics CS10 along with the HL10 automatic handset lifter for maximum functionality. There is a special requirement for Merlin phones using the CS540 cordless system. You will need to purchase a Merlin Fix Kit which is part #47521-01 for $9.95. This cord goes between your phone and the base of the CS540 to eliminate a known problem with Merlin phones. Please note that the CS540 remote pack does not have a dial pad so you will need to use the keypad on your phone to initiate calls. In addition, you will need to be back at your desk to transfer calls or switch lines by pushing the appropriate buttons on your telephone.

Mitel IP Phone Models 5020, 5020i, 5140
Use Plantronics Polaris headsets (no external adapter or amplifier required). Click on the Polaris page to view all the compatible headset styles available.

For Autodialer and Predictive Dialer Environments:
If you are using an autodialer or predictive dialer and your users will each be plugged into a standard RJ11 single-line, analog, modular port, please click here for the correct solutions for your scenario.

Other Phones:
The list above does not cover the hundreds of other phone models on the market today. There are many phones with specific idiosyncrasies not detailed above. Although the vast majority of phones are compatible with the universal M12 Vista paired with any H-series headset, or the CS10 cordless system, please feel free to call us toll free so we can check your model against the compatibility list and recommend the right solution for you.