The Beyerdynamic Phonum: A Speakerphone Built for Clarity, Not Music
While Bluetooth speakers are usually synonymous with music listening, the Beyerdynamic Phonum takes a different approach. This wireless speakerphone is specifically designed for voice communication, prioritizing crystal-clear calls over booming sound. Priced at around Rs. 25,000, the Phonum is targeted at professionals who seek a reliable and high-quality hands-free solution for work-related calls, whether they’re at home or in an office setting. But does this premium speakerphone justify its price tag? Let’s dive into its design, performance, and overall value proposition.
Design and Specifications: Simplicity Meets Sophistication
Departing from the typical portable designs of many wireless speakers, the Beyerdynamic Phonum exudes a sleek and refined aesthetic. Its circular body features a flat, grippy base for stability, with a narrow band above it for convenient cable wrapping. The upward-facing grille masks a downward-firing speaker, while touch controls encircle the top. The physical power switch and USB Type-C port for charging are neatly located at the back.
The control layout is intuitive, with essential elements like volume, microphone on/off, Bluetooth pairing, and microphone direction mode always visible. Call answer/reject controls and microphone direction indicators are illuminated only during calls, offering a subtle and less intrusive experience.
Connecting and using the Phonum is straightforward. Bluetooth pairing is effortless, and the on-device controls activate as needed depending on whether the speaker is in standby or actively taking calls. Alternatively, a wired USB connection can be established using the provided USB Type-C to Type-A cable, which also charges the device.
The heart of the Phonum is Beyerdynamic’s Gecko microphone technology, which offers three distinct voice-tracking modes:
- Fix mode focuses on a single speaker in a fixed location.
- Follow mode tracks the active speaker in a group.
- 360 mode captures voices from all directions, providing comprehensive coverage.
The speaker itself houses a 2-inch down-firing driver with a frequency response range of 120-10,000Hz. It also boasts automatic echo and noise cancellation for the microphone, as well as Bluetooth 4.2 for reliable connectivity. Powering the Phonum is a 2,600mAh battery, which boasts around 9 hours of continuous music playback. When used as a speakerphone, it consistently delivered an impressive 16-17 hours of battery life, balancing standby mode, calls, and occasional music playback.
Performance: Voice Clarity is King
The Beyerdynamic Phonum is unambiguously tailored for voice communication, and this is reflected in its performance. While I occasionally used it for music, its primary role was as a hands-free speakerphone for work calls.
The Phonum’s voice-focused tuning shines through. Output is crisp and precise, delivering loud, distinct voices that are clearly audible from up to 3 meters away in a quiet environment. Connectivity remained stable within a range of about 3 meters, ensuring uninterrupted calls.
The controls proved extremely user-friendly. Glancing at my phone, I could quickly identify incoming calls and tap the call answer button on the Phonum without breaking my workflow. Volume adjustment was equally seamless, though seldom necessary in a quiet room. I only needed to bump up the volume occasionally when I wanted someone else in the room to hear the conversation.
The Gecko microphone system proved to be every bit as impressive as advertised. It accurately captured my voice from within 60 centimeters of the speaker, consistently delivering exceptional clarity. The environmental noise cancellation and echo cancellation worked flawlessly, ensuring that my voice was heard loud and clear. While callers acknowledged the subtle hands-free effect due to the microphone’s distance, they consistently praised the clarity of my voice. No typical hands-free call quality issues were noticeable.
However, music isn’t the Phonum’s forte. As expected given its frequency response range and voice-optimized tuning, music playback didn’t quite hit the mark. The highs felt out of place, and sub-bass was practically nonexistent. While it might suffice for a few vocal-centric tracks, it’s generally recommended to avoid the Phonum for music listening.
Wired connectivity, on the other hand, delivered a markedly superior sound experience compared to Bluetooth. Connected to my MacBook Air, the Phonum was automatically detected, and MacOS offered two distinct equaliser modes via its sound settings: Voice and Music. These modes did a great job of optimizing the equaliser for their respective purposes, with Voice mode providing a noticeable boost to mids.
Verdict: A Dedicated Speakerphone for Serious Callers
The Beyerdynamic Phonum is a testament to the innovative responses to the upsurge in work-from-home arrangements. It excels as a speakerphone for calls, consistently delivering exceptional performance whether connected via Bluetooth or USB. Its outstanding Gecko microphone system could also be a game-changer in conferencing scenarios, where it effectively captures voices from any direction.
Though priced at a premium of around Rs. 25,000, the Phonum delivers on its promise. While music playback may not be its forte, it’s a stellar choice for serious callers who demand exceptional voice clarity and a hands-free experience without compromising on quality. Those who prioritize music might be better served by dedicated Bluetooth speakers, but for professionals looking for a dedicated speakerphone solution, the Beyerdynamic Phonum is a compelling and highly recommended option.
