Apologies if this idea does exist. I can’t seem to find anything like this, so feel free to let me know The Simpsons did it.

Basically this is a headset stand with a built-in speaker. It can smartly switch between the headset and the speaker(s) for the audio, because there is a button in the ‘cradle’ where the headset is placed when not in use.

So if you’re listening to your headset and you’re interrupted by someone who wants to gab (they always wait until you put your headset on - this is a fact), you can place the headset on the stand and the music automatically emits from the speaker. Remove the headset, and the speakers mute and your headset carries the audio feed exclusively.

So not only is it a handy place to park your headset, this automatic functionality helps avoid those involuntary lapses of silence*.

There are plenty of cool-looking headset stands available, but prime desk real estate demands more functionality from such an item, in my opinion.

You could also set it to power-off your audio system when you place the headset in the cradle. This could double as a charging station for a wireless headset, can include an iPod dock, USB hub, electric can opener, etc. I just wanted to address this one feature.

*That never-ending cycle when you turn off your music for some interruption, then resume working only to realize a few hours later it is quiet and then you turn the music back on. Admit it, you do this 3 or 4 times a day.