Need a good answering machine

March 31, 2006 5:37 PM

Good answering machine? I need an answering machine that has good microphone sound pickup for recording outgoing announcements.

Most units I've bought (AT&T, Panasonic, generics, etc) require me to physically pick the unit up and talk into the tiny microphone hole underneath to leave announcements that don't sound faint or muddied. I'm getting sick and tired of this. I am posting announcements for people calling in on cell phones, so I have to sound clear and audible. Suggestions?

(Please don't recommend voicemail! I can't get into the details but this is not an option.)

posted by shannymara to Technology (3 answers total)

How high are you willing to go? The Retell brand line is described as "business class", high quality answering machines used by banks, colleges, and government offices. Their model 332 looks like the cheapest/least featured of their line. Reviews are positive on Usenet and, of course, the company has glowing press clippings on their site. Retell is based in the UK and their info sheet warns their stock is only for UK phones, but they do give an e-mail address for those needing a distributor of compatible systems outside the UK. Via Google, this place claims to be the exclusive Retell USA dealer, located in Virginia; alternatively, their direct Retell answering machines product link.

Fair warning, you definitely pay for the high-end quality, so they could be priced out of your budget. The direct-purchase price on a new 332 from Retell in the UK is around $225 at current exchange rate. Over in the US from the dealer, it's probably more than that. Couldn't hurt to contact them, though.
posted by mdevore at 1:21 AM on April 1, 2006

bang-olufsen.com easy to use, very clear recording and playback sound. B&O stuff seems to last forever so I think it's worth the money.
posted by Lanark at 2:50 AM on April 1, 2006

I suggest one of those phone/answering machine combos. Many of them will let you record the OGM using the handset, which should sound much better than a mic.
posted by kindall at 7:15 AM on April 1, 2006