Linksys SPA-921 Review

Introduction


The SPA-921 built by Sipura/Linksys is the second cheapest model from Linksys after the SPA-901, which doesn't have an LCD screen. The SPA-921 currently sells for $110 at www.telephonyware.com from which I bought it.


Installation


Hardware-wise, it's pretty simple: Just plug the network cable into a switch/hub connected to the Net, and plug the 5V transformer.


Software-wise, it's as rich/complicated as the 3102 VoIP gateway, which means multiple web pages that only make sense if you're already used to VoIP (and even then.) Hit the Admin Guide PDF for more information.

Basically, you need to create a new VoIP account, enter login/password and the server IP address, add a STUN server if you're behind a NAT router, and you should get a dialtone.


Usage


Like other phones, I think it has too many buttons, but it's simple enough for basic usage.


Besides a few buttons that are set to only one feature (Voicemail, Menu, Hold, Mute, Headset, Speakerphone, Volume), it relies on four buttons under the LCD screen along with a four-directional round button to navigate through menus. As an alternative, you can configure the phone through its embedded web interface.


Conclusion


It's a nice, affordable, entry-level phone.


There are just a couple of things I don't like:

- Contrary to what the documentation says (at least, as of May 2007), it cannot download a phonebook from a server
- Like the Linksys SPA-921, the phonebook only holds 100 entries
- The LCD screen cannot be raised, hence the need for the desk stand that comes with the unit. The GrandStream GXP-2000 is better in this respect
- The screen is a bit small. The GXP-2000 is also better for this
- Unlike the SPA9x2 phones, the interface is only available in English

Added:  Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Reviewer:  Littlebigman
Score:
Related web link:  Linksys
hits: 11948
Language: eng

  

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Posted by gjsmith on Feb 16, 2009 - 06:38 PM Your rating: If you like the SPA921, you should also check out the Linksys SPA942. It is just a few dollars more but has extra line appearances, an additional Ethernet port and is only a few dollars more expensive. Plus it works with just about any standards based VoIP phone systems.

Posted by Kenny_10_Bellys on Jan 19, 2009 - 09:15 AM Your rating: Excellent quality phone comapred to many of the 'cheaper' VoIP phones out there. As Linksys are effectively Cisco's home user brand, the phone looks and feels like its Cisco big brothers. Unlike the reviewer I didn't find there were too many buttons, indeed compared to many phones with these features it has far less, and the use of the rocker switch to go through the menus helps keep the number down. The GUI has millionos of options, most of which I dont even understand let alone use, and it allows you to configure the phone and its voice quality exactly as you would like. It also avoids the 'too light' complaint that dogs most cheaper phones, this thing weighs plenty. The handset alone would make a good hand-to-hand weapon.