Do you want the best headset? 
I’m pretty sure most would agree that meetings have become the new normal. In years past, meetings took on the look of you and your closest coworkers gathering in a conference room.
The face of meetings have changed, and now meetings are more commonly done through the use of one of the many popular applications such as:
- Microsoft Teams
- RingCentral
- WebEx
- And how could we not mention Zoom
So whether you’re on an audio or video call, you need to use devices that will give you professional sound quality and reliability.
In this installment of the Headset Advisor blog series, I’m going to discuss a newly released audio device by one of the leading providers, Poly. Specifically, I’m going to talk about the Poly Sync 10 Speakerphone.
And though I may be chomping at the bit to tell you all about this brand new product, I have to pull back on the reins long enough to tell you about a video I suggest you watch.
Poly Sync 10 Speakerphone Review + Mic and Speaker Test Video
If you’re still reading this blog, then together, let’s check out this new Poly Sync 10 Speakerphone.
To begin, I have to say that the Poly Sync 10 is the newest member of the Poly Sync Speakerphone family. In this family are:
I’ll briefly comment on these different models in a moment, but for now, where’s the Sync 10 designed to be used? This is a personal speakerphone that’s designed to be used with a computer as it’s wired, and comes with a USB connector.
Whose the Sync 10 speakerphone for?
The Poly Sync 10 is perfect for those who do Podcasts, Webinars, calls, meetings and even music. When you stop to compare the sound you get from the Sync 10, and compare it to the sound you get from a computer speaker and microphone setup, you’ll quickly appreciate the difference.
When you’re on important calls, the last thing you want is to sound like you’re in a cave or outer space. If it’s true that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, then why not make that a good impression by using a Sync 10?
It won’t break your bank account at a mere $110.00, and isn’t coming across to your callers in a professional manner worth that? I’d say so.
By comparison, the Poly Sync 20 is essentially a wireless version of the Sync 10.
The Sync 40 allows you to have more people on a call (up to 8) and the Sync 60 ups that to allow up to 15 people on a call. So, whether you’re doing a solo act at home, or working with a wild bunch in an office, there’s a Sync speakerphone just for you.
Setup is easy peasy
Who likes products that are hard to get set up? I feel pretty safe in saying that nobody does. Well, for all those who can relate with this, you’ll be happy to know that the Sync 10 is a plug and play device.
The Sync 10 comes with a USB A connector, but in the box, you also get a USB A to USB C converter. This means that whether your computer has USB-A or USB-C ports, the Sync 10 will work with it no problem.
No battery to charge, so you just take it out of the box, and plug it in. Now you’re ready to slay some dragons. Pretty easy huh? Well, except for that dragon slaying stuff.
Simplex / Duplex
The Poly Sync 10 is a full-duplex Speakerphone. So what does that actually mean? If this were a simplex device, you would be prevented from talking if the other party was speaking.
This can lead to some awkward moments in a conversation as you attempt to get into a rhythm given this audio limitation.
Duplex, by contrast, allows you to have a natural conversation just as you would if you were having a face-to-face conversation. If you had to choose one, which would it be, simplex or duplex? Duplex for sure, right?
Simple controls
The Poly Sync 10 doesn’t require a PHD in Engineering to operate. Plug it in, and you’re ready to get started. There are a few touch sensitive buttons though, and that’s where the PHD really isn’t needed. You have these controls on the face of the Sync 10:
- Speaker volume up
- Speaker volume down
- Microphone mute/unmute
- Call answer/end
- There is a Teams button for the Teams version of the Sync 10
That’s it. Simple, which is exactly how we want it.
Microphone and Sound Quality
The Sync 10 comes with a two steerable microphone array that helps to pick up your voice up to five feet away from the speakerphone.
We tested this, and the sound quality at that distance maintained excellent voice quality, which leads me to believe that you could stretch that a bit further, though at some point you’ll experience degradation to sound quality.
We not only tested the microphone on the Sync 10 for sound quality, but we tested it against some background noises. To me, the sound quality without background noise present was excellent.
When you introduce noise, such as office noise, or dogs barking, I felt that the Sync 10 could be improved if it handled background noise better.
Admittedly, handling background noise is a challenge for any speakerphone or headset. Still, in our tests, the background noise could be heard pretty clearly. This causes me to believe that the Sync 10 is best for those environments that don’t contain a lot of noise.
IP64 Rated
The Poly Sync 10 carries an IP64 rating for being dust and water resistant. Granted, you won’t want to go scuba diving with your Sync 10 attached at your hip, or digging tunnels through the Sahara, but in normal use, the Sync 10 has you protected.
Overall thoughts
The Poly Sync 10 is a portable, convenient, great sounding Speakerphone that’s affordable at around $100.00.
If you’re someone who spends a lot of workdays on business calls, more than likely those calls involve a computer for your audio / video. If so, and you want to sound professional on those calls, the Sync 10 is a great product to consider. It won’t break the bank, and it’s far better than searching for a cheap alternative audio solution.
Poly is known for making superior audio products, and the Sync 10 is all of that. This is a product that brings professional audio to those who have hesitated in the past due to the price of some solutions. You now have a great product for use with your calls and entertainment that’s truly professional grade in every sense of the word.
