TECH TOOLS FOR EARLY LEARNERS: CALIFONE 2800-BL HEADPHONE

Califone Listening First Stereo Headphones are perfect for use by young students for story-time, library or any other computer use. Sized to fit younger students and loaded with extra safety features, they're ideal for individual or small group activities. Designed with durable ABS plastic ear-cups that withstand daily use and slotted ear-cup baffles prevent accidental damage. Headphones are Mac and Windows compatible and include a 6 ft straight cord with a 3.5 mm plug. The plug's reinforced strain connection reduces accidental pull out. Headphones feature an adjustable headband that is ideal for extended wear, and ambient noise-reducing ear-cups.

The headset features an attached noise-reducing microphone to engage students in active speaking and listening, and includes two of the most popular audio plugs, the 3.5 mm To Go and USB, for versatile use with mobile, computer, or gaming devices.

FEATURES

• Specifically sized for young children
• Adjustable headband comfortable for extended wear
• Ideal for beginning computer classes and story time uses
• 25 ohms each side+/-15% impedance
• Distortion 5%
• Noise reducing, ABS plastic for durability ear cups
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Web Price

$10.12

Califone Offers Three Year Headphone Warranty

Warranty provides schools with added reliability for key equipment used with a growing number of assessments, digital & language learning The three-year warranty is now standard for the following headphones and headsets purchased beginning March 7, 2016. It applies to its child-sized headphones and headsets (including the just-launched, award-winning Listening First line).

WHAT ARE TEACHERS SAYING ABOUT THIS PRODUCT?

THE GOOD

These headphones are good, especially considering the price. For it's budget and price, I was very impressed with them.  I have to say that these headphones are highly worth purchasing for the very low price.  I think these headphones are designed extremely well for this purpose, meaning their durability is rather excellent. The cord is thick and coiling (which makes it less intrusive but still has length). The headphones are made with extremely durable but quite comfortable ear pads, and the earpieces themselves are made with heavy, extremely durable plastic. The headband is also thick enough that it would take quite a bit of strength and a lot of effort to break.

THE BAD

In the past two years, I have bought at least 95 of these headphones for school computer labs. Slowly but surely, every one has failed with the most common failure being the small guage and low quality wiring that takes the sound from the input contained within the left headphone case over to the right headphone. The wire is very thin and fails internally after a short time. I have talked with the quality control manager at Califone and even sent him several failed units; they claim there is nothing wrong with the design, yet we all experience the same failure in wiring that renders the right channel inoperable. STAY AWAY FROM THIS Caifone model until they redesign it. All it would take is high guage, heavier wrapped wiring between headphones.

MY OPINION

To each is own!  It is very important to choose age, class, and content appropriate technology devices.  Overall use, care, and storage significantly contributes to wear and tear of any electronic device.  The Califone headphone line is perfectly convenient for young beginners but can be used by K-5.