If you’re looking for a solution for mobile devices that have poor sound quality, but want a solution that performs as well as a great sound system for portable devices that are typically fixed to your desk, consider the Poly Sync 20 speakerphone. Please give me.
The unit I tested is the limited pink version of the Poly Sync 20. The pink device has all the same features as the gray fabric and frame version, serving as a personal speakerphone, portable music speaker, and smartphone charger.
Aside from the distinctive pink fabric that covers the top of the limited edition, the standard gray device pictured above does not disappoint.
For each Pink Sync unit sold between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023, Poly will donate $10 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. That’s a noble incentive to consider purchasing this product.
The gray and pink edition is currently priced at $129.95. However, depending on special offers and optional features, the cost he ranges from $89.95 to $149.95.
Trouble-free sound upgrade
I had no problem connecting my portable multipurpose speaker to all my devices. This includes laptop computers running Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as full-size desktop computer configurations.
In most cases, devices defaulted to Poly speakers as soon as they were connected. Otherwise, all you had to do was go into your computer’s system settings and select the sound card or speaker device you wanted to connect to.
The included 28-inch USB Type-A cable is long enough to reach the connection port on your host computer when placed nearby. A second USB port allows you to use a longer cable if needed, or other connectors for connecting with devices like Chromebooks. If you don’t need the USB cable that comes with your connection, you can wrap it around the underside of the base and hide it.
Poly Sync 20 Pink USB/Bluetooth Smart Speakerphone (Image credit: Poly)
At the top edge of the front are five touch buttons marked with icons. On the far left is a rocket silhouette indicating buttons for programming. You can register frequently used functions such as play/pause music, last number redial, voice assistant, etc.
The top right button has a phone icon to answer (green light) or end (red) the call. In the middle are buttons to decrease volume (-), increase volume (+), and turn the microphone on/off (the microphone icon has a line through it).
The right side of the speakerphone has a Bluetooth pairing button on the left, a second USB port in the middle, and an on/off power button on the right. Speakerphone announces connections and disconnections to all devices.
excellent sound quality
When you’re away from your desktop computer’s great soundbar, you’re stuck with subpar sound reproduction from your portable gear most of the time. Therefore, I have tolerated countless portable speakers during my travels.
Some were good enough, but rarely loud. So testing the Poly smart speakerphone was an unexpected treat.
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Impressive sound quality soaked my ears with deep bass and rich highs. I frequently clicked between my tiny laptop speakers and the connected Poly speakers to make sure my ears weren’t fooling me. Every time I was blown away by the obvious sonic upgrades that didn’t falter as I moved between devices.
The Poly portable speakers sounded great, whether we were having cell phone conversations, video calls, or playing audio files and music selections.
Convenient and smart design
Poly has an intelligent design, multiple connectivity options, and a bundle of extra features. It measures just 1.3″ x 3.7″ x 7.2″, weighs just 12.7 ounces, and has a few extra features that combine multiple portable device jobs into one very handy tool.
Use your Poly speakerphone to share your voice across the room during a call. It is also a convenient battery charger for various mobile devices.
Poly Sync 20 can charge your smartphone via USB (Image credit: Poly)
Comes with carrying case and strap. Cloth cases are of limited utility beyond protecting the speakerphone from dust and dirt while on the move. The purpose of the strap remains a mystery.
The 3200 mAH non-replaceable lithium-ion battery takes about 4 hours to fully charge to provide 20 hours of talk time.
Other notable specs
Poly has added some great components to this speakerphone that provide more than you’d expect.
- Bluetooth 5.1, multi-mic that tracks speakers with a frequency response of 100 Hz to 6.7 kHz and a pickup range rated up to 7 feet.
- Dynamic audio makes conference calls seamless and clear despite the speaker’s mini size (1.6 inches), delivering peak audio output of 86 dB SPL at 0.5m.
- Noise cancellation and echo reduction circuitry significantly improve performance over similar portable speaker products.
Poly offers a discrete purchase device management solution for enterprise use. However, I had more than satisfying experience for the needs of a lonely, one-man office.
Conclusion
The Poly Sync 20 speakerphone is a change of pace for the Poly series of webcams (see my review of the Poly Studio P5 webcam) and fits the company’s focus on the needs of remote and hybrid workers.
For many users, the Poly Sync 20 will prove superior to wearing a headset, especially during long cell phone calls. It also prevents users from being seen wearing headgear when joining business video calls.
Poly Sync 20 is compatible with the most popular conferencing platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Cisco and RingCentral.
