A wireless boom mic is one of those things people ask us about regularly. Especially when the VMK25 gets used at work and colleagues start complaining that you sound like you're calling from the bottom of a well. Fair concern.
Unfortunately the answer isn't the one you're hoping for.
The VMK25 doesn't support a wireless boom mic
The wireless boom mic is an accessory that only works with the VMK25.2 model. It attaches via the USB-C port and needs the newer model's firmware to function.
The VMK25 is a great headphone, it's sold like crazy for a reason, but its USB-C port is charging only. The mic add-on wasn't designed into the original model, because it didn't exist yet back then.
So, short version:
- VMK25 : doesn't support a wireless boom mic
- VMK25.2 : supports a wireless boom mic (accessory, sold separately)
What about the VMK25's own mic?
The VMK25 has a built-in mic with CVC8 noise reduction. It handles normal calls and Teams meetings just fine, as long as conditions are reasonable. Quiet office or home office: no problem. Noisy open-plan office or cafe: that's where it hits its limits.
If colleagues have complained about audio quality, try these first:
- Check your Bluetooth connection : if the headphones are paired to two devices (multipoint), mic quality on calls can suffer. Disconnect the second device for the duration of the call.
- Check your app settings : Teams, Zoom and others sometimes love to pick the wrong microphone. Make sure the headphones are selected as both the speaker and the mic.
- Distance to phone/computer : keep the device reasonably close. Bluetooth isn't a fan of walls and long distances.
If you need a better microphone
There are two options:
- Upgrade to the VMK25.2 and buy the wireless boom mic as an accessory. You'll also get improved battery life (55h vs. 50h) and the newer Bluetooth 5.4 chip. The headphones look the same on the outside, but the guts are new.
- Use a separate desktop microphone with your computer and keep the VMK25 for listening only. Honestly, this is the best solution if you don't want to buy new headphones.
We're not going to push an upgrade you don't need, but if mic quality is critical for work, the VMK25.2 plus wireless boom mic combo gets the job done. That's just how it is.
Anything else?
If you're not sure which model you have, check the batch code inside the headphones. The VMK25.2 says "VMK25.2" and the older one says "VMK25". If the text has worn off, drop us a message at info@valco.fi and we'll figure it out. While we're at it, we can also calculate how much closer to the Death Star we get if you decide to upgrade.
Wired or wireless boom mic?
There are two boom mics, and they connect to different ports:
- The wireless boom mic connects to the VMK25.2's USB-C port. It only works with the VMK25.2.
- The wired Mic Thing connects to the 3.5 mm jack and turns the headphones into a wired headset. It fits both the VMK25 and the VMK25.2.
Both are sold separately in our webshop at valco.fi. If you make a lot of calls and aren't sure which model you have, check that first. There's a guide for figuring it out in the support article "Which Valco model do I have".
Three frequently asked clarifications
- Price: the current price is shown in the webshop at valco.fi, we're not going to freeze it here and let it go stale.
- Walkie-talkies: the wireless boom mic is designed to pair with the VMK25.2, not for walkie-talkie use. We don't promise compatibility with radios.
- AUX and USB mic at the same time: doesn't work. If audio is coming through the 3.5 mm cable, the wireless boom mic isn't active at the same time, pick either wired audio or wireless mic.
