Decent Quality Handsfree/Speakerphone Cordless Phone?

Posted by: NaimThatTune on 08 June 2007

Dearest Naim-buddies,

I'm looking to buy a good quality cordless phone (home phone - DECT) with a DECENT speakerphone/hansdfree capability.

I don't mind spending up to 100 quid (for a twin pack) if the sound quality is good. Twin packs often cost 40-50 these days so I'm prepared to pay a premium.

I don't really care about funky colour displays, the ability to send text messages etc but I need to be able to pop it on the desk and hear/be heard when attending conference calls for my work. A mute function that is silent in operation is a must, too, for the odd occasion when I actually shut up!

Yesterday I took back another phone that supposedly had handsfree capability - it was so quiet I had to hold it up close to my shoulder roughly where a parrot would perch!

Do any of you have any recommendations?
Or stories of phones to avoid?

My Failures:
* iDECT X1 - truly rubbish, amazingly quiet, OK as a normal handheld phone (but fiddly buttons)
* Philips OmniTel (or similar) my Mum has this, it's really very poor and I don't know how she puts up with it
A BT/Siemens thing from my last attempt to go handsfree about 3 years ago.

Please can somebody tell me there's a decent handset out there somewhere?

I'm in the UK, so compatibility with the POTS over here is to be assumed.

Thanks!

Richard.
Posted on: 09 June 2007 by El-Rey
quote:
Originally posted by NaimThatTune:
Dearest Naim-buddies,

I'm looking to buy a good quality cordless phone (home phone - DECT) with a DECENT speakerphone/hansdfree capability.

I don't mind spending up to 100 quid (for a twin pack) if the sound quality is good. Twin packs often cost 40-50 these days so I'm prepared to pay a premium.

I don't really care about funky colour displays, the ability to send text messages etc but I need to be able to pop it on the desk and hear/be heard when attending conference calls for my work. A mute function that is silent in operation is a must, too, for the odd occasion when I actually shut up!

Yesterday I took back another phone that supposedly had handsfree capability - it was so quiet I had to hold it up close to my shoulder roughly where a parrot would perch!

Do any of you have any recommendations?
Or stories of phones to avoid?

My Failures:
* iDECT X1 - truly rubbish, amazingly quiet, OK as a normal handheld phone (but fiddly buttons)
* Philips OmniTel (or similar) my Mum has this, it's really very poor and I don't know how she puts up with it
A BT/Siemens thing from my last attempt to go handsfree about 3 years ago.

Please can somebody tell me there's a decent handset out there somewhere?

I'm in the UK, so compatibility with the POTS over here is to be assumed.

Thanks!

Richard.



Hi Richard

I have been using Panasonic phones at home and in the office for 3 or 4 years, they are solid and reliable with good battery life. In addition to the speakerphone some of then have a socket for and earpiece/mic. Not sure about a mute button but if you have a look here you should be able to find some specifications: http://www.phones4less.co.uk/
I am in the UK also.
Regards
El-Rey
Posted on: 10 June 2007 by NaimThatTune
Hi El-Rey!

Oh thankyou, thankyou and thrice thankyou!
[I thought my plea was going to disappear, unanswered, while everyone rubbished the Olympic logo and posted pictures of the scrumptious Darcey Bussell!]

It is so maddening to have to take pot luck, get the thing home (after dutifully charging the handset for 16 hours etc) only to find that its rubbish and you have to pack it all up again and take it back for a refund.

In the meantime, I thought I'd continue casting about for info; on Amazon a few folk have given Panasonic phones the thumbs up, specifically saying the speakerphone aspect is better than most.

I'll chance my arm with Pana and report back!

Cheers!

R.
Posted on: 10 June 2007 by Observer
ericssons were the best, and my 9 year old dect is still going strong.
they stopped making them in the late 90s, and panasonics are now the best vfm. they dont look as good as the competition but do a very good job, including their range and signal strength. the buttons tend to get a bit fiddly after about two years though
Posted on: 13 June 2007 by fidelio
i grudgingly vote for panny. they really aren't bad ...
Posted on: 13 June 2007 by Roy Donaldson
Finally had to retire my Ericsson 260's yesterday. Best phones I've had and really difficult to get good replacements.

If you're looking for good ones, try the Siemens range as they look very good, but a bit pricey.

I ended up with some Philips 6273 off eBay, £46 for a 3 pack with answering machine.

Roy.
Posted on: 13 June 2007 by HRC99
I've got a pair of Siemens phones. Well built, excellent sound quality - just like Naim!
Posted on: 13 June 2007 by Phil Sparks
only thing I looked for when I got my last pair of phones was a phone that took normal AA sized rechargeable batteries. I then replaced the ones that came with it with some beefy (2000mAH) NiMH ones. Now my phones last about 2 - 3 weeks between charges which means I only need to have one charging station in the house for occasional top ups.

I think the ones I got were Binatone - about £40 a pair from Argos, work fine although the hands free isn't great.

Phil