Sandberg Bluetooth Speakerphone Bar – Hardware Review
It’s no secret that we love to try out new hardware and then share our findings with our readers. We have tried out many items outside of the general gaming hardware over the last few years, and we are always happy when something new shows up on our radar. This was the case for Sandberg’s Bluetooth Speakerphone Bar, which offers a Bluetooth speaker and a microphone in one. This device can be used just to play your favorite Spotify tunes while working, but you can also receive and conduct calls with it, be it at home or in an office environment. While not exactly the same as a high-profile microphone and an expensive soundbar, this extremely budget-friendly device did what it was supposed to do.
Design
The Bluetooth Speakerphone Bar looks very much like a compact soundbar. The device sports a grey fabric-like exterior with black finishing touches. The buttons on top have a matte black coating with the symbols of their functions visible. The speaker looks very clean and classy and will be suitable for every type of interior. We suspect this device will be placed in front of the monitor of your computer in most scenarios, where it will blend in perfectly.
Comfort
All in all, there isn’t that much to say when it comes to the overall comfort features. You’ll have clearly marked buttons (except in darker rooms the symbols are almost not visible) and the speakerphone bar itself also isn’t heavy. Weighing in at around 800 grams, you’ll easily reposition it when you wish to do so. This is especially useful if you want to use the device in a small meeting room. Other than that, there are no notable features that are worth mentioning.
Specs
- Bluetooth version V 5.0
- Output power 2 x 8W (peak)
- Speaker frequency: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Microphone frequency: 30 Hz – 18 kHz
- Microphone sensitivity: -42 ±3dB
- Control buttons: Volume +/-, Play/Pause, Mode select, On/Off
- Built-in Li-polymer battery 3600 mAh
- Play time, 6-8 hours, standby time 200 hours
- AUX-port, 3.5 mm Mini-Jack
- USB-C port for charge
- TF port for playback from TF/Micro-SD card with MP3 content.
Overview
The Bluetooth Speakerphone Bar is a device that requires no setup. You simply switch on the device, and you connect your Bluetooth device (phone, PC, laptop) to the speaker. After this, there is not that much more that needs explaining. You’re able to simply stream music to the device and conduct calls via the speaker. Outside of the normal Bluetooth functionalities, you also have an AUX port and the option to insert a Micro SD card.
Overall, the sound quality is quite decent. We enjoyed streaming music, or adding a bit of extra oomph to our Netflix binge-watching sessions via mobile devices. The bass is decent, but of course, keep in mind that this is still a very budget-friendly device and not a piece of hardware that is meant for a premium entertainment experience. The device mainly serves its purpose in a home office environment where you can enjoy a bit of music, conduct calls, or perhaps even play a few presentations on your PC. It’s an added bonus that you can also enjoy the device for entertainment purposes.
The only downside was the fairly short lifespan of the battery when actively using the device. With an estimated playtime of between six to eight hours, you’ll be plugging in the device a lot in order to keep playing music or conducting calls. We often found that the device was leaning more towards the six-hour playtime span, which is in fact shorter than a full day of work. Of course, with the added USB to USB-C cable, you can easily charge the device.
Conclusion
Sandberg’s Bluetooth Speakerphone Bar will not blow anyone out of the water with its functions and features, but for the price you’re paying, you’re getting a solid piece of hardware. We mostly enjoyed the device to do some quick hands-free calls while being able to continue working or simply play some of our favorite tunes in the background. If you’re looking for a very affordable device for exactly those features, we can easily recommend this one.
Sandberg Bluetooth Speakerphone Bar - Hardware Review,
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