Sony SPP-A973 900 MHz Digital Cordless Phone with Answering System

The 50-number directory dialing gives quick access to a broad range of frequently dialed numbers; for easy reference, each phone number is identified by the person's name. The Jog Dial provides one-finger access to these numbers and to caller ID memories; simply push the button and jog up and down to find the entry you're looking for; push the button again to dial the number.

Caller ID with call waiting (20-call memory) allows you to screen the phone number and name of an incoming second call while you talk with the first caller (requires combination of caller ID and call waiting services). A three-line backlit LCD display on the handset offers clear presentation of caller ID information, number dialed, and more. It's even backlit for easy viewing. Memory Match Ringing sounds a distinctive ring if an incoming call matches one of your 50 directory-dial numbers (requires caller ID service from your local phone company).

The SPP-A973 has dual-battery capability--the base unit has the built-in battery charger where you can charge an optional battery in the base unit. Even with just one battery pack, you get seven hours of talk time and seven days of standby, which allows for longer conversation and longer intervals between charging batteries.

The SPP-A973 includes a tapeless, all-digital answering system that records both your greeting and incoming messages on IC chips; it uses no moving parts, for exceptional reliability; and it can record up to 18 minutes. Incoming messages can be stored in three separate "message boxes" so that each co-worker or family member can access his or her messages separately. The voice time-and-day stamp records the time of each call after each message. Adjustable rings allow you to decide how many times the phone will ring before it answers. Permanent flash memory protects your recorded messages even in the event of a power outage; it requires no battery backup. Call screening lets you identify callers on the base before picking up. A voice-guided system leads you through the setup and operation of the unit. A prerecorded greeting will answer calls if you choose not to record your own greeting. An audible message indicator beeps when messages are waiting (on/off switchable). Announce-only mode answers calls without taking messages.

I wasted my money on a BellSouth phone with Digital answering machine only to find I could understand about 25% of my messages, that I couldn't understand the bizarre electronic 'help' voice, and had virtually no other features.

My new Sony Spp-A973 has (almost) every feature I could want... caller ID, cordless phone (sounds as clear as a regular phone) with tremendous range and a seemingly never-ending battery, clear digital answering machine (again, clear as the best tape machine), a brilliant jog dial to review caller ID calls and place memory calls (no more remembering who 'memory 01' is)...

In a nutshell, this is one of those extremely rare products where I feel like I somehow got twice what I expected for half what I expected to pay.

Two things would make it five stars: the ability to turn off the handset ringer (not just the base), and better handling of 'out-of-area' caller ID. My old box from US West could give me numbers for most out-of-area callers, but I've yet to figure out how to do this with this phone. All you get is 'out-of-area'.

A speakerphone would sure be nice, too, but I'm not ABOUT to complain!


Don't waste your money!   August 18, 2000
Susan Coyle (Spokane, WA USA)
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

I loved this phone at first, even though the sound quality was poor on the answering machine, both incoming and outgoing. Sometimes I couldn't even understand what the caller said the sound was so muffled. Running a business from home, this was unacceptable. But I was willing to live with it because of the investment and I loved the handset caller ID and the directory that was very handy in the handset. Now, however, approx. 9 months after purchase, it constantly does this "channel searching" while I'm talking, and it mutes what I'm saying and what I'm hearing until it "finds" a channel, even though there was no need for the "channel searching" because the connection was good. There is no way to turn this feature off. I even bought a new battery hoping that would solve the problem but it did not. Now the LED readout on the handset is blank sometimes. In short, DONT waste your money on this. What a disappointment from Sony.


A Very Poor Product   January 5, 2000
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

This is a very poor phone and answering machine combo. Friends complain bitterly about the sound quality of the outgoing message. The sound quality of the phone is also substandard when compared to Panasonic & AT&T models. Finally, the incoming messages are almost incomprehensible. I own a SONY DAT machine and a television with which I am happy. But I have had consistent bad luck with SONY's other consumer electronics and I have recently learned of others who have had similar complaints with this phone. Don't buy this product.


Won't disappoint...   December 15, 1999
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

I was all set to buy a Panasonic phone and then went online andfound out through some reviews that it wasn't the best phone to buy.After researching some more, I decided to purchase this Sony. The is absolutely the best cordless phone I've ever owned. The sound is clear and I can be outside in my yard and still hear clearly. The programming is a snap! All in all, if you're in the market for a phone/answering machine...this your phone!


Sony SPP-A973 Revisited   December 19, 1999
Dan P. (Ft. Worth, TX USA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I'm compelled to update my earlier review of the Sony phone. As I stated in the first review, I returned the SPP-A973 because caller ID did not perform properly. I assumed that this was just bad luck and that the next phone would perform as expected. I was wrong. There is something wrong with Sony's caller ID system. Specifically, I found that if I received a phone call, Sony's caller ID would *sometimes* show the call as a new call. But, typically, the call was erroneously included as 'old'. Sometimes, caller ID would not record the call at all. The day I returned the phone, a friend of mine left a recorded message. The message indicator performed as expected (a blinking numerical light) but the caller ID light did not activate. And, as I scrolled the recorded caller ID calls, that particular phone call was included in the old phone call list.

I tried two phones and each exhibited the same characteristics. Calls to Sony's customer support shed no light on the problem. I traded the Sony for the Uniden EXAI 8985. Caller ID works perfectly on this phone. Given my experience with the SPP-A973, I can't recommend it. I would be interested in comments from others who have reviewed the phone and whether my observations regarding caller ID can be confirmed. In my view the Panasonic (which I described in a previous review) is the phone to purchase.