INTRODUCTION

   How many times have you used Skype (or any video chat program for that matter) to communicate with your friends, distant relatives or immediate family only to find out that you can't really rely on the built-in camera microphone to have a clear conversation with them? Things are even worse when we are talking about laptops since both the built-in microphone and speakers are average at best. The same of course happens quite often with VoIP calls and although most consumers are quite happy with what basic hardware offers at seemingly no extra cost the same does not apply for everyone out there especially people who also use the above for work purposes. Well to cover that segment of the market Jabra recently launched the SPEAK 510 Bluetooth and USB speakerphone so naturally we couldn't just sit back and not get our hands on it.

   GN Netcom, led by the Jabra brand, continues to build on its standing as one of the world’s leading and fastest growing suppliers of hands-free communications solutions. With approximately 875 employees and sales offices around the world, GN Netcom develops manufactures and markets a broad range of wireless headsets for mobile users and both wireless and corded headsets for contact center and office-based users. GN Netcom’s business activities also include its original equipment manufacturing (OEM) business to a wide range of global customers including mobile phone, PC and PDA manufacturers.

   Just over a year ago we had the chance to test the very good SPEAK 410 USB Speakerphone which actually did exactly as advertised and offered considerably good audio clarity on both ends allowing us to place/make calls without the slightest issue. However since there definitely was room for better audio quality while at the same time the wired-only connectivity was not really ideal for all environments and did limit compatibility with many devices it came as little surprise to us when Jabra announced the availability of the SPEAK 510 which basically improved on the original by offering HD audio quality and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity (along of course with USB). Design wise the new SPEAK 510 is almost identical to its predecessor and i personally don't see why they should change it since the saucer like design works like a charm. However i don't really believe everything i read or hear (not if i can test something and see for myself) I’m quite curious to see what changes Jabra has really performed.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Exactly like most products by Jabra the SPEAK 510 is placed inside a small box with a clear plastic surface at the front (from where you can see the product) along with the Jabra logo, product description and a 2D barcode.

The bundle contents and the main product features are listed on the right side.

A short product description is available at the rear of the box in 20 different languages and is placed right above a product picture used to showcase its activity LEDs and buttons.

Inside the box you will find the SPEAK 510 speakerphone, carrying pouch, quick start guide, warranty information, registration paper and a piece of paper with contact information for Jabra across the globe.

THE SPEAK 510

The glossy black SPEAK 510 follows the same saucer design as its predecessor and measures 120mm in length, 120mm in width and 33mm in height with a weight of 195g.

Once again the Jabra logo sits right at the center of the grille placed over the 50mm speaker driver.

Just like with the SPEAK 410 the 510 version features touch-buttons placed on the outer ring. So from top to bottom we have the Bluetooth on/off button, mute microphone button, battery level indicator, volume control buttons, answer/end call buttons and the power on/off button.

The Omni-directional microphone is placed right beneath the on/off power button.

On the other side there's an 3.5mm mini-jack which can be used to output audio to external speakers.

The serial number, company logo and the design and manufacture origins are placed at the anti-glide base.

The USB cable conveniently wraps around the waist of the SPEAK 510.

Jabra also packs a very nice carrying pouch which is slightly larger than the device itself thus you can store it inside with ease.

USING THE SPEAK 510

Once you connect the SPEAK 510 to your laptop or desktop system the red battery charging LED will turn on along with the white power on/off button.

The volume control is very easy to handle so whenever you increase or decrease the volume these white LEDs will increase/decrease clockwise/counterclockwise.

When you press the Bluetooth button a blue LED will appear and a voice will give you instructions on how to pair the SPEAK 510 with your Bluetooth enabled device.

Pressing the microphone mute button will turn all of the above LEDs red.

Our smartphones identified the SPEAK 510 as SPEAK 51.

Skype detects the SPEAK 510 as soon as you connect it with your computer but for some unknown reason it's identified as two plain USB audio devices (speaker/microphone).

CONCLUSION

   We've had the SPEAK 510 by Jabra connected to two of our systems (desktop/laptop) since early May and in order to compare it to its predecessor SPEAK 410 we performed over 20 Skype calls both with people next door and from all around the globe. That however was obviously not enough and so to also test the Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity we also used it with 2 of our smartphones for several normal calls with friends and family members. Audio quality is indeed improved compared to the SPEAK 410 but nothing exciting which is not surprisingly since we are still talking about a single 50mm driver facing upwards. In terms of quality for the other end both well both the SPEAK 410 and the 510 are virtually identical and so no matter how many times we used both in several calls the recipients were unable to tell them apart (i guess that's good news for SPEAK 410 owners). Battery-wise we were able to use the SPEAK 510 up to slightly over 14 hours which is not bad and very close to the advertised 15 hours. The only thing i would have done to improve on the already good SPEAK 410 (aside adding Bluetooth and improving the internal speaker) would be to add a small screen which would indicate the battery level, volume level and would also have a caller ID. Now i know that it's not something really crucial but it would make using the SPEAK 510 quite easier especially when paired with a Bluetooth enabled device (well perhaps Jabra can take our advice and implement it eventually who knows).

   The Jabra SPEAK 510 Bluetooth and USB speakerphone is mostly aimed towards professionals and so with a current price tag of USD149.99 inside the USA (Purchase Directly from Amazon.com) and 98Euros inside the EU (Purchase Directly from Amazon.co.uk) just like most professional-grade devices it doesn't really come cheap. However if we take into account just how much normal portable speakers retail for that have just average quality microphones and don't carry as many features as the SPEAK 510 then in the end i think that you're just getting your pay for. Bottom line although i really think that Jabra can do much better (especially if they take our input into consideration) the SPEAK 510 does improve on its already very good predecessor and that's why it gets our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Size
- Design
- HD Audio Quality
- Good Microphone
- Bluetooth 3.0 Connectivity
- 15 Hours Battery Life
- Touch/Press Sensitive Buttons
- 12 LEDs
- 3.5mm Audio Out
- VOIP Software Support

CONS

- Price (For Some)