The News: Hewlett-Packard and Poly recently launched wireless headphones designed for working professionals wanting an in-ear hands-free device capable of seamlessly handling calls at home or on the go. The Voyager Free 60 Series devices include the Poly Voyager Free 60, Poly Voyager Free 60 UC and Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC. The company sent our team demo units of The Poly Voyager Free 60+ which is the subject of this review. Find more details from Poly on the Poly Voyager Free 60 Series product page.
HP Poly Voyager Free 60+ Review: Wireless Earbuds Are Your Friend
Analyst Take: The market for true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds continues to gain traction and is expected to grow at a double-digit compound annual growth rate over the next several years. A key catalyst for growth has been hybrid workers looking for more comfortable solutions that have excellent sound quality, are cordless, and easily interact with their personal computer and smartphone along with their collaboration program. The team at Poly sent us the Poly Voyager Free 60+ earbuds to test out. The following is our overview of the Poly Voyager Free 60+ earbuds.
Design and Comfort of the Poly Voyager Free 60+
Starting with the design, let’s get past the obvious Apple AirPods comparison – The Poly Free 60+ are black, and that’s not a bad thing. While the Poly Voyager Free 60+ has a sleek and minimalistic look that exudes a sense of pro-level sophistication, it would be helpful if the case was thinner, in fact, something along the lines of 10mm thinner would be ideal. The earbuds we received were carbon black and also come in white sand, which gives them somewhat of an understated appearance. The charging case is also well-designed, with a form factor that makes it easy to carry around, and the touchscreen on the case made it easy to check out battery life and start the pairing process.
One of the standout features of the Poly Voyager Free 60+ is its comfort. The earbuds are designed to fit snugly and securely in the ear, thanks to the included ear tips that come in different sizes to accommodate different ear sizes. They are also lightweight, which means that they can be worn for extended periods without causing any discomfort or fatigue. Overall, the Poly Voyager Free 60+ is a well-designed and comfortable earbud that should appeal to hybrid workers and consumers alike that prioritize comfort and style.
Audio Performance of the Poly Voyager Free 60+
Moving on to the audio performance, the Poly Voyager Free 60+ is equipped with 6mm drivers that deliver high-quality sound with a frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, which ensures a stable and reliable connection to a user’s device. The earbuds also support AAC and SBC codecs, which means that they can deliver high-quality audio even when streaming from a smartphone or tablet.
In terms of sound quality, the Poly Voyager Free 60+ does not disappoint. The earbuds produce clear and detailed sound across the frequency range, with well-defined bass and crisp highs. The earbuds also offer a balanced sound signature that will appeal to audiophiles who prefer a natural and uncolored sound. Overall, the Poly Voyager Free 60+ delivers excellent sound quality that should impress even the most discerning of listeners.
Features and Battery Life of the Poly Voyager Free 60+
The Poly Voyager Free 60+ comes with a range of features that make it a versatile and convenient earbud. The earbuds support voice commands through Google Assistant or Siri, which allows users to control music, make calls, and access a device’s features hands-free. The earbuds also feature a range of touch controls that allow users to adjust the volume, skip tracks, and answer calls with ease. None of these are ground-breaking features, as this ease of use is generally expected across the board from users.
Battery life is another area where the Poly Voyager Free 60+ claims to excel. We’ve not yet had the opportunity to test this, but plan on that in the near term. Poly says the Poly Voyager Free 60+ earbuds offer up to seven hours of playtime on a single charge, with an additional 21 hours of battery life provided by the charging case. This means that users can use the earbuds for an entire workday without needing to recharge them. The earbuds also support fast charging, which means that with just 15 minutes of charging, users can get up to 1 hour of playtime.
How the Poly Voyager Free 60+ Helps Support Hybrid Work
We see the Poly Voyager Free 60+ as an attractive option for hybrid workers and that the wireless aspect will be appealing to many working in shared workspaces. For a lot of users, headsets are not only uncomfortable, but they can also often act as an anchor, tying a user to a specific spot.
One very appealing feature is that the Poly Voyager Free 60+ has a Microsoft Teams-certified version (and is also Zoom certified), with a button on the side of the earbud and charging case allowing the user to activate Microsoft Teams with the push of a button. The case also has a Microsoft Teams logo on the screen which can be pushed as well. When the user pushes the button, it launches Microsoft Teams, putting the application front and center on the screen. The device can be seamlessly plugged into the PC with the USB Bluetooth adapter and when a user pulls the earbuds from the case and puts them in-ear, they will hear a sound that says “PC connected” and they’re ready to go.
Conclusion
The Poly Voyager Free 60+ is a wireless earbud that offers a compelling combination of style, comfort, and high-quality audio performance. The earbuds are well-designed and comfortable to wear, with a sleek pro-level understated appearance that should appeal to professionals and music lovers alike. The audio performance is excellent, with clear and detailed sound across the frequency range, and the earbuds come with a range of features that make them convenient and easy to use, especially for those working with enterprise video conferencing apps. Battery life is also impressive, delivering up to 28 hours of playtime. The device is excellent for hybrid workers on the go or at their desks in constant meetings. For anyone accustomed to being tethered to a PC with corded earphones, it’s worth checking out.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
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