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A puck-shaped Bluetooth speakerphone that makes cell phone conference calls sound like a landline.
I use my cell phone for pretty much everything and don’t even have a landline at home anymore. The problem is that conference calls on a phone’s built-in speakerphone sound tinny and distant. The eMeet OfficeCore M1, sold as a mobile office smart assistant, promises the kind of call quality you get from an office Polycom, using your phone as the connection. It was a little pricey, a couple hundred bucks, so I unboxed it, paired it and made real calls to find out. The M1 is no longer listed, so the button goes to EMEET’s current Bluetooth speakerphone.
- Callers said it sounded like a landline handset
- Light ring shows which microphone is picking you up
- Clear red mute indicator
- Premium brushed aluminum build
- Battery powered, so it works on the road
- Pricey for a speakerphone
- Fine for music, but not deep or rich like a real Bluetooth speaker
- Bigger than I expected
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Unboxing and build
It looks a bit like a giant Amazon Echo Dot. The top is brushed aluminum with small perforations for the speaker, and the side has a bead-blasted finish a lot like the edge of an iPhone 5. A translucent bluish ring sits above a rubberized bottom that grips the table.
There is a power button, a USB port and a micro-USB jack for charging, so you can run it plugged in or charge it up for portable use. It also comes with a zippered, neoprene-like hard-shell case.
Music and the light ring
Pairing over Bluetooth was instant. I played a song and the light ring around the outside grows as you turn the volume up, which is a nice visual of how loud it is.
It gets really loud. It is fine for music and podcasts, but if you want deep, rich sound, get a dedicated Bluetooth speaker.
Phone calls
The middle button is mute, and the ring turns red when you’re muted. When you talk, a blue light shows which of the microphones around the edge is picking you up. If a few people sit around a table, you can see who it favors and whether someone needs to lean in.
I called several people and asked if it sounded like a speakerphone or a Bluetooth headset. Most said it sounded like I was on a regular landline handset. When I switched to my phone’s own speakerphone, they could tell right away.
About the buy link
The OfficeCore M1 from my video is no longer listed on Amazon. The button goes to the EMEET M2, a current EMEET Bluetooth conference speakerphone with 360-degree voice pickup. It is a different model, so check the listing for features and size.
Who needs one?
Home-based businesses, people like insurance agents who call customer service lines with a client in the office, anyone who talks on the phone all day without wanting a headset, and road warriors working from motel rooms.
It gives you the feel of a fully furnished office without the office.
FAQ
Can it play music?
Yes. It works as a Bluetooth speaker and gets loud, but the sound is not as deep as a dedicated speaker.
How do I know I am muted?
The light ring turns red.
Does it need a cord?
No. You can charge it over micro-USB and use it on battery, or leave it plugged in.
Is the M1 still sold?
I could not find the M1 on Amazon, so the button goes to the EMEET M2 Bluetooth speakerphone.
Is this an affiliate link?
Yes. The buttons are #ad affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra.
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