Sennheiser SP 30, or as it is named now EPOS EXPAND SP 30, remains one of the more reliable compact speakerphones.
The SP 30 initially came out around March 2019. To be fair, it deserves its ancestors’ (SP10 and SP 20) popularity as one of the finest compact speakerphones. It is the obvious premium choice for people familiar with Sennheiser’s reputation for acoustic perfection and for whom having clear calls is paramount.
It has all the necessary capabilities and specifications to be the right choice for small conference meetings, personal offices, or home conversations.
Sennheiser (now releasing its compact speakerphones under the name EPOS) put an excellent speakerphone with the SP 30. Indeed, the overall audio of this device is superb.
Table of Contents
At a Glance
The SP 30 is an excellent premium-ranked speakerphone for small to medium-sized conference rooms. It behaves as a rock-solid speakerphone in the conference room and the home office. The SP 30 was tested in both of these scenarios and ultimately did well in both.
Regarding conference capacity, the device can accommodate a meeting of 8 participants (physically surrounding the microphone).
The speakerphone is wireless and can be paired with another device via Bluetooth. It can also be connected using a USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A adaptor.
There are two more variations of the SP 30, which we will discuss altogether in this article. The three models are named SP 30, SP 30+, and SP30T. For the rest of the article, we will refer to all three models as SP 30.
The three variations, SP 30, SP 30+, and SP 30T, do not differ in specifications other than the compatibility and connectivity capabilities. So they all look the same and deliver the same excellent audio quality.
Look at the Connectivity and Compatibility section for further details about the differences between the three models.
Note that the three models SP30 are optimized to be connected to a PC or a Mac. For tablets or smartphones, SP30’s performance is device-dependent.
Design
The SP 30 is a lightweight, pocket-sized device that takes little space on the desk. It comes with a carrying pouch with the iconic Sennheiser logo across or the new EPOS logo (it can be found on the market in both variations).
The SP 30 has a disk shape like many other compact speakerphones. At the same time, it retains the distinct Sennheiser design elements. Overall, it is a beautifully-looking device.
The SP 30 can hardly seem intimidating, even to new users. Learning to use it is a rather straightforward procedure. This speakerphone is a breeze with 7 buttons and supporting LED indicator lights.
Moreover, the buttons work with the lights to facilitate the user experience. For example, the Mute icon at the speaker’s center lights up red whenever this button is pressed.
This way, users will always know when the call is muted and will not worry about unpleasant surprises.
When in standby mode, the LED dots display how much battery there’s left. During a call, the same displays the call’s volume level.
It is not hard to tell that the materials used for the Sennheiser SP 30 are relatively good. The device is built solidly, and it certainly doesn’t feel cheap.
On the other hand, the SP 30 has a retractable cable, just like its older brothers SP20 and SP10. This is always a welcome feature as it significantly reduces the cable clutter on the desk.
The Sennheiser SP 30 has rubber bottom feet to prevent it from slipping and stabilize it. However, keep in mind that the speakerphone is not wall-mountable.
Audio Performance
It certainly does turn the tables in the audio department. Because when it comes to two-way audio, the SP 30 is as good as devices such as Jabra’s Speak 710.
When tested, the speakerphone managed to deliver what is a ‘live’ conversation quality. And as a bonus, it even exceeded expectations for playing music.
But since the Epos SP 30 is mainly intended for calls, the on-call quality will be discussed first. So, how is this ‘live’ conversation quality achieved?
First and foremost, the Sennheiser HD audio system must be mentioned. This sophisticated acoustic system is optimized for detecting and extracting the human voice in its full richness.
The echo cancellation feature complements it. In effect, it eliminates any repeating sounds that obstruct the flow of the conversation.
Furthermore, the SP 30 has two built-in omnidirectional microphones. Omnidirectional means that it can pick up voices from any direction.
It must be said Sennheiser has executed the omnidirectional microphones way better on the SP 30 than, say – Jabra on their Speak 710.
As mentioned, the SP30 is also enhanced for music. The music sounds crisp and clear on it. Most speakerphones targeting business people are generally not good for playing music.
But after all, Sennheiser has been a go-to brand for generations of audiophiles. It doesn’t surprise them that they have covered the ‘music’ aspect.
Connectivity & Compatibility
As mentioned, the SP 30 models are optimized to pair with a PC or Mac. Connecting with a tablet or a smartphone is device-dependent. All three are UC optimized, too.
The three SP 30s can connect to another device via its USB-C cable or Bluetooth.
So far, enough for the things in common. Now, what are the differences?
The SP 30+ and the SP 30T models additionally include a USB dongle to pair with one more device via Bluetooth. So the SP 30 can pair with up to 2 devices via Bluetooth and a USB cable. While SP 30+ and the SP 30T can pair with up to 3 devices using their additional USB dongle.
The SP30 and the SP30+ are Skype for Business certified and are suitable for UC platforms. If you need a Teams-certified device, choose the SP 30T model.
Battery
According to Sennheiser themselves, the SP 30 should be able to endure a talk time of up to 18 hours. Comparing it with similar products, for example, Jabra Speak 710, is a spectacular achievement. Most other compact speakerphones endure between 10 and 15 hours.
Fairly speaking, this particular claim was not properly tested in practice. But a company as reputed as Sennheiser would not afford to make empty claims about its products.
Something that, however, did not go untested was the charging time. It takes almost 3 and a half hours to charge the SP 30 fully. This is a good result, too. It scores fairly well within the category, as the average time is around 3 hours.
Overall, 18 hours of talk time to 3 hours of charging time should be a well-sounding ratio for even heavier users. I am especially keeping in mind that the speakerphone can be charged with the USB while it is being used.
Warranty
When bought brand new, the SP 30 comes with a 2-year warranty (this applies only to authorized resellers).