As part of their US product launch Gigaset Communications are importing their DE380IPR SIP desk phone. At first glance this seems like a relatively unremarkable lower-end desk phone. However, it does support the G.722 wideband codec.

I had a quick look at the device in May at the HDComms Summit. It’s looks like a decent little phone, possibly comparable to the lower-end Polycom IP320/330s.

Amazon has the DE380IPR listed at $139. That might just make it one of the most affordable genuinely wideband-capable IP desk phones.

There are only two G.722 capable phones that I’m aware of that are less expensive; the Grandstream GXP-1200, which sells for around $80, and the Aastra 6730i, which sells for around $70.

I say “genuinely wideband capable” because the older Grandstream Budgetone BT-200 supported the G.722 codec, but the handset components were not up to the task. The real benefits of wideband calling were only realized when using the BT-200 with a good wired headset. I’d hope that the newer GXP-1200 has overcome this issue.

I’d be interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with wideband calling using the GXP-1200 or 6730i.