Panasonic KX-TG161 Series

Distorted TX audio – I found mine to have distorted TX audio. I first noticed that my own voice sounded distorted in the earpiece. I gave the phone to a cousin. When he calls me, his voice is rather harsh sounding and less intelligible compare to when his calls me on his mobile phone. When I observed the TX audio on a DSO, I found that the phone crudely clips the signal rather apply ALC to limit line level.

Average quality – Never particularly liked this phone set but at least it worked for 18 months - then the original batteries died and wouldn't recharge, bought new but then it decided to emit an occasional beep - often in the middle of the night - for no reason. As these things happen, I had bought it from dick smith before they went under (even an extended warranty ha!) but am going to persevere with Panasonic as I think their qualities are superior to unidentifiable. Have just bought a 3 handset 223 series - silver so it won't be as confusing with black removed everywhere!

like it – Wanted a simple cordless phone that would not interfere with wifi. This fits the bill. Call quality and range are good. Replaceable Ni-MH, AAA batteries is also good.

No Good if you cannot hear it! – Ringtone audio is very poor and no choice of ring tones (loud ones). There does not seem to a way of rating the loudness of a phone when it rings before you buy it, what happens if your hearing is not 100% or suffer from mild Tinnitus. This phone has an alarm (not needed) but a poor audio level of ringing....basic!!!!!!! Not Much Cannot hear it ringing!!!!!!!!!!

Useless with VOIP – I have had intermittent problems with getting Interactive Voice Response (IVP) to work with my new Panasonic KX-TG1611AL digital cordless phone. IVP now won't work at all, which is untenable since all businesses these days require you to navigate firstly through a telephone "menu" to get in contact with them. Panasonic HELP LINE has advised me that NONE of their cordless phones are suitable for VOIP systems but they don't say that anywhere yet still refuse to refund. My phone is almost useless without IVP. The "Time" on the phone also kept getting reset to the wrong time - a known bug in the phone. Price; Stock available immediately in store. Not suitable for VOIP; no speaker phone capability; buttons don't always work; clumsy menu system; time resets itself to the wrong time.