A few months ago we reviewed the Jabra 510 UC and the Plantronics Calisto 620 UC speakerphones. Both come from companies with years of mobile audio experience and do a great job of instantly transforming a laptop or smartphone into a conferencing device. Both have an MSRP of $149 and go for less on Amazon. Which is right for you?
I am impressed with both of them and can honestly say either is a good choice for someone in the market for such a device. Still, they are two different devices and you need only one. So lets run down the features in a head-to-head challenge so you can best make the right choice.
Connectivity:
The Jabra 510 UC has an integrated USB cable. That means you can easily connect it to a computer. You van, of course, also connect to a mobile device via Bluetooth 3.0.
The Plantronics Calisto 620 comes with a USB dongle that sits housed beneath the speaker waiting to be plugged into a computer so the audio can be streamed over. It too connect to a mobile device via Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR.
Verdict: Thanks to the built-in USB connector and Bluetooth 3.0 the hands down winner is the Jabra 510 UC.
Audio:
The Jabra 510 UC has an Omni Directional/noise filter microphone that enhances call clarity by eliminating background noise from the office. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) optimizes voice and music and suppresses echoes to aid the audio quality. Integrated A2DP allows for streaming media from a mobile device and effectively turns the 510 UC into a mobile audio speaker. A mute button lets you close off the audio with a touch.
The Plantronics Calisto 620 has a bi-directional microphones that activate in the direction of speaker’s voice. Dual auto-switching microphones limit the transmission of background noise and full duplex audio gives you 360° room coverage. Digital Signal Processing reduces drop-outs and suppresses echoes to aid the audio quality. Integrated A2DP allows for streaming media from a mobile device and effectively turns the Plantronics Calisto 620 into a mobile audio speaker. A mute button lets you close off the audio with a touch.
Verdict: Draw. Both speakerphones do a fine job of carrying audio.
Design:
The Jabra 510 UC is a round speaker whose base serves as a spool for the USB cable. Touch controls at strategic points around the perimeter of the speakers top allow you to control the audio, volume and mute functions.
The Plantronics Calisto 620 is a rounded square that looks unassuming as it sits on a table. The USB UC dongle sits in a garage at the bottom of the speaker. Physical buttons sit at strategic points on top of the speaker.
Verdict: Thanks to its physical buttons and unassuming square design the Plantronics Calisto 620 stands out as the winner.
Battery and Power:
The Jabra 510 UC offers up to 15 hours of talk time. The integrated USB cable allows you to charge the speaker using a wall adapter or powered USB port.
The Plantronics Calisto 620 offers up to 7 hours of wireless talk time and up to 5 days standby time. The internal battery is charge via a USB to microUSB cable plugged into a microUSB port on the side.
Verdict: Thanks to its 15 hours of talk time and the permanently connected USB charging cable the Jabra 510 UC is the winner.
Both speakerphones are excellent and do exactly what they need to do. I prefer the square design and physical buttons of the Plantronics Calisto 620 to the round look of the Jabra 510 UC but on all other fronts the Jabra 510 UC stands supreme. Offering Bluetooth 3.0, 15 hours of talk time and an attached cable for charging and UC audio when using the device with a computer the Jabra 510 UC edges out the Calisto 620. It is also less expensive when purchased through our Amazon Affiliate Store.
Plantronics Calisto 620 Bluetooth Speakerphone: MSRP: $149.95. Check them out here: Plantronics Headsets and Accessories.
Jabra SPEAK 510 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker for Softphone and Mobile Phone: MSRP: $149.99 Check it out here: Plantronics Headsets and Accessories.