Polycom SoundStation 2W Test Report page 4

CT Labs Testing Report: Polycom SoundStation2W
CT Labs Test Results and Findings:
Installation and configuration:
The Polycom SoundSta-
tion2W and the ClearOne Max were comparable for ease of setup.
The configuration of the SoundStation2W was found to be supe-
rior to that of the Max, mainly due to the dedicated menu buttons
and descriptive on-screen text provided by the SoundStation2W.
The SoundStation2W base unit's separate power cord allows you
to place the base unit in any desired location near a power outlet.
With the Max, the base unit plugs directly into the power outlet,
which means that the entire unit ends up hanging on the wall or
hanging off of a power strip. Also, with the Max, we absolutely
needed to use the instruction booklet in order to complete the con-
figuration of the phone; the SoundStation2W was much more in-
tuitive to set up. Overall, we rated the installation and configura-
tion of the SoundStation2W a "9.8", and the ClearOne Max a
"9.3."
User interface/features analysis:
As compared to the
ClearOne Max, the Polycom SoundStation2W offered more fea-
tures, including the unique ability to use the conference unit with a
cellular phone. Very nice! The SoundStation2W buttons were
more user-friendly, since they were slightly concave, not-too-tall,
and well placed. With the dedicated-function menu buttons, soft-
keys, scrolling menus, and display adjustment and backlighting,
the SoundStation2W has an obvious user interface edge over the
Max. Overall, the SoundStation2W was found to have a signifi-
cantly superior user interface.
Features we considered outstanding for the SoundStation2W: de-
scriptively labeled, single-function buttons for menu navigation,
variable-function soft-key buttons, and the on-screen display of
menus and options make for extremely easy learning and use of
the phone. A 25 entry phone book allows entries to be displayed
SoundStation2W™
in name, company, or phone number order. Even the shape and
size of the buttons added to the unit's ease of use.
The ClearOne Max, on the other hand, provided only minimal
explanatory text on the display screen and the phone book con-
tents (up to 9 entries) were not viewable. The user is expected to
know beforehand which speed dial number is associated with
which phone number.
Overall, we rated the user interface and features for the SoundSta-
tion2W a "9.7," and the ClearOne Max a "7.9."
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