Sony SPP-SS965 900 MHz DSS Cordless Phone

The SPP-SS965 includes a keypad on the base for quick dialing with the speakerphone. You can place and answer calls from the base even if you can't find the handset. If you need to locate the handset, however, the intercom button on the base pages the handset with a continuous ring, making it easy to find.

The SPP-SS965 displays caller ID information on both the base and the handset, so you'll always know who's calling before you answer. The caller ID memory can store up to 20 names and phone numbers. With the jog dial feature, you can browse through the list of callers in the caller ID log, or you can access up to 50 speed-dial numbers in the phone's directory. The jog dial is a small wheel on the side of the handset, and in our tests, all of its functions were intuitive and easy to learn. For faster dialing, there are three one-touch presets, perfect for emergency phone numbers. The Sony SPP-SS965 also has a two- way intercom that allows you to talk between the handset and the base--great for communicating with family members who may wander off with the phone.

In our tests, the SPP-SS965 sounded very good. Although its digital spread spectrum technology provides a longer range and better sound quality than other types of 900 MHz cordless phones, we were disappointed that the handset maintained its best quality only within about 40 feet. Overall, however, this high-performance device from Sony has a wealth of features that will simplify your life. -- Megan Dugan

Pros:

• Clear signal with minimal interference
• Handy jog dial for one-finger access to numbers stored in memory or the Caller ID box
• Stores up to 50 frequently dialed numbers

Cons:

• Caller ID display is constantly illuminated
• Best sound quality only within 40 feet of the base

The jog dial gives you one-finger access to directory dialing 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. A 50-number directory allows you to store up to 50 names and numbers for easy access.

The "Ezfit" earpiece gives you a better coupling to your ear for better sound and increased comfort, and digital privacy uses sophisticated digital speech encoding between handset and base unit to keep your private conversations private. The phone also has a dual keypad (base keypad with speakerphone) that lets you make and answer calls at the base unit. Caller ID call waiting allows you to screen the phone number and name of an incoming second call while you talk to the first (requires specific caller ID with call waiting service from your phone company).

Memory match ringing sounds a distinctive ring if an incoming call matches one of your 50 directory dial numbers (requires caller ID service from phone company). Digital sound quality uses the technology behind the compact disc to achieve amazing voice accuracy; this phone sounds less like older cordless phones, more like a corded phone.

Product Description
Sony SPP-SS965 telephone features High Power Digital Spread Spectrum technology for superior range and interference reduction. Its 900MHz band starts with low interference because it's less crowded than conventional 43-49MHz band. The Digital Spread Spectrum technology provides up to about 100 times more output than other 900MHz systems; so you can carry your cordless phone further-and still carry on a conversation. The Jog Dial feature is used for one-finger access to directory dialing numbers and Caller ID memories; simply push the dial and jog up and down to find the entry you're looking for; push the dial again to dial the number! Dual Backlit LCD Displays (on handset and base) allow you to easily see Caller ID and other information even in a dimly lit situation. Caller ID with Call Waiting allows you to screen the phone number and name of an incoming second call while you talk on the first. A 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.

My biggest problem with this phone is the caller id display. The caller id display on the base unit stays lit constantly. I originally had the base unit in my bedroom, which was the equivalent of having a night light right by my bed. The caller id display on the handset doesn't light up at all, making the caller id totally useless in dimly lit areas/rooms. Sony should have made the phone so that both caller id displays light up when the phone rings for how ever many seconds. In my opinion the handset is a little bit bigger and bulkier than the average cordless phone handset. The battery doesn't last to long during what I consider average use. I had to make it a habit to put the handset on the base before I left home, so I could have uninterruptible use of the phone while I was at home.

Also, as I said my most recent phone purchase was a Sony 900mhz phone. I can not tell any difference (and neither can anyone I've talked to on the other end) between the Spread Spectrum phone and the regular 900mhz phone. Even though the Spread Spectrum phone is at a higher frequency where it's prone to less interference - voice clarity and range of distance from the base are the same for both phones. I really can't tell the difference between the Spread Spectrum phone and the 900mhz phone.


James   November 29, 1999
75 out of 75 found this review helpful

I've had this phone for just under 1 year and I think the performance of the phone with regards to interferance and typical cordless phone flaws is unparalleled. Also, I have never had any cross talk- the clarity is increadible and no different than a corded phone. The call-waiting ID works like a gem also. So you ask yourself- why is this guy giving this phone three stars? It's plain and simple, Sony cut corners on the features of this phone. My gripes are as follows: 1)The speaker phone only works when things are quiet on both ends of the line- don't use it in a room that doesn't have carpet, the speakerphone is not full-duplex meaning that only one person can talk at a time for the other person to hear- morse code would be better. Often times when I call my voice-mail, the sound of the voice message prompt throws the phone into silence with choppy bits of the voice mail I am trying to receive 2) The low battery warning is far from a warning- 4 beeps at 5 seconds tops and you better race to a wired phone if you want to continue your conversation. 3)You can't scroll the caller i.d. at the base station so if you come home and want to check who called, you have to go find the handset. 4) The handset screen and keypad are not illumated. 5)You can store 50 numbers in the handset but not in the base station- you only get 10 numbers to speed dial, however, the speed dialing keys do not work on my base station- I'll be taking my unit to the Sony repair center- I anticipate that they will fix it at no charge. By the way I have had great service from this center on another sony product that needed repair(due to pilot error and no fault of sony's). They were extremely quick and they do all of their repairs in-house, your product is not sent off to get fixed.


I returned mine   February 3, 2000
Dennis G (Phila., PA)
37 out of 38 found this review helpful

Nice features but I returned mine mainly because of the hollow, or tinny, way my voice sounded when I spoke, this was confirmed by other users. The handset display is not illuminated and cannot be read in dim light (this is the only way to review your Caller ID list, the base will not do it). Also I could not put more than 16 numbers into my speed dial making it unusable for accessing voice mail codes.

I liked the base keypad and dual display.


ive tried them all this is simply the BEST   November 15, 1999
32 out of 38 found this review helpful

The most complete phone out there. I have them all and nothing else measures up .The range,clarity and simple handling are second to none.It must have a little help by keeping it on the charger every three to four days overnight.


Mediocre at best   December 27, 1999
Kenneth Schwarz (Dallas, Tx)
27 out of 29 found this review helpful

I haven't decided whether to return it or not: It seems to be a solid unit. My specific gripes: 1) No lighted handset 2) There is a "Hold" button, but not a "Mute". I'm often on conference calls and I like to be able to type while I'm listening. 3) The microphone on the handset seems to be a little *too* sensitive to background noise.

Positive features: 1) Good range 2) Nice compact footprint

Overall, I'm not convinced that it's a wise investment.