One of the biggest takeaways from the pandemic was that a lot of people actually prefer working from home; that new reality also requires outfitting your home office so that you can hold meetings with co-workers and clients. Audeze and Beyerdynamic were quick to introduce Bluetooth speakerphones that could also double as loudspeakers for the desktop and have done well with their respective products.
I was fortunate to get one of the first Beyerdynamic Space Speakerphones and put it through its paces. As my review pointed out, the Space is a rather versatile product that offers excellent performance; I ended up buying the review sample and use it as my office phone when using Microsoft Teams and Webex.
Whilst the Space is perfect for a single user home office, those requiring something larger for a conference room scenario are probably better served by the new Beyerdynamic Space Max.
Placed next to one another, the Space Max looks wider, taller, and has considerably more weight.
Part of the reason for that is the added ability to use the new Space Max as a power bank if needed; the unit has both USB Type-C charging ports and a USB Type-C output port for charging other devices.
The top of the unit retains the innovative LED ring controls from the Space which allows for easy touch controls and instant recognition of volume level and mute settings.
With an IP64 rating, the Space Max is resistant to the occasional spill as well so lunch meetings or early morning coffee shouldn’t prevent it from doing its job.
Beyerdynamic has also designed the Space Max to be easily repairable if a part breaks; your office manager will love the cost-saving aspect of that
The new Space Max builds on the original with Beyerdynamic’s 360° smart mic technology which guarantees maximum speech intelligibility even while moving.
The smart mic detects voices and separates them from the background noises, canceling unwanted echo, reverb, and feedback and making conversations easier to understand.
This means that the audio remains understandable even when a speaker has to move to the whiteboard and the angle between the speaker and microphone changes.
Most directional mics struggle with this, but the Space Max is designed for this type of scenario.
The Space Max is designed to accommodate up to 6 speakers with a single device and like the original, it can be cascaded to allow up to 12 users for larger meetings.
Beyerdynamic technology also levels voices so conversations remain at a consistent level regardless of who is speaking.
The Space Max is certified for Zoom meetings and Microsoft Teams and worked with Cisco Webex as well in my early testing so pretty much all the virtual meeting services are covered.
Another useful feature is the full-duplex capability; conversations can flow naturally rather than enforcing a pause between speakers.
The Space Max also works with Apple and Android phones when paired via Bluetooth and is a dramatic improvement over the sound quality of the average built-in speakerphone so even if not in the office users can benefit from the improved sound quality.
The Space Max supports Google Fast Pair on Android devices to make use with a phone even more seamless. There is also a business mode that prevents the unit from trying to pair with nearby Bluetooth devices for consultants or those who work in crowded offices where it can become an issue.
When not in service as a speakerphone, the Space Max offers typical Beyerdynamic audio quality, making it a great office companion whether in a meeting or relaxing with your favorite music between them.
The Space Max ships with a USB Type-C cable for connecting a phone, tablet, or computer to offer the broadest range of support possible.
I use a Space tethered to my office PC most of the time and it works perfectly when switching between Teams, Webex, and Zoom meetings. It also works equally well with the Cisco Softphone on my laptop when traveling.
Battery life is roughly 25 hours from a full charge; the quick charging feature lets users recharge the unit in only a few hours.
The Space Max offers continuous firmware updates, so it always has the latest software version without the need of complex update procedures or downtime.
Price & Availability
The Beyerdynamic Space Max is available now for $399 at Amazon in Charcoal and Nordic Grey and from Beyerdynamic.com, as well as with selected retail partners.
The Cascade Cable Space Max is available as an optional accessory for $25 so remember to add the cable if purchasing more than one.
Related reading: Beyerdynamic Space Wireless Speakerphone Review
