DE
Let's get one thing straight from the start: when it comes to decibel measurements and telephone boxes, paper values are virtually meaningless. This is because everyone tests differently and the results are therefore hardly comparable. It is therefore all the more important that you check the sound insulation of the box for yourself.
To gain a good insight, you should imitate a typical office environment as closely as possible during your test. So it's best to come directly to the showroom with a colleague. This way, one of you can take a seat inside the phone box while the other stands in front of it. This will give you a good impression of how much noise penetrates from the outside to the inside - and vice versa.
During your showroom visit, keep in mind what your individual use case is: Do you need 100 percent confidentiality inside the telephone box? Or do you want to significantly reduce the background noise in the office and create quiet spaces for your employees? If the latter is the case, then you don't need a completely soundproof telephone box.
A good telephone box not only ensures that what is said does not leak out, but is also characterized by excellent acoustics inside. This is the only way to ensure that the spoken word in the telephone box also sounds good at the other end - and that no annoying echo disturbs the conversation. So take the time for a call or a short meeting on site. This way you can get direct feedback on the sound quality.
The ventilation should also be scrutinized as part of the acoustic test. After all, no one is helped if you are suddenly disturbed by a constantly buzzing ventilation system instead of everyday office noise.
So take a seat in the telephone box and listen to the background noise inside the box: Do you hear an annoying whirring or similar noise that can be attributed to the ventilation? But remember: the motor that drives the ventilation and the movement of the air itself are never completely silent. So pay attention to whether the operation of the ventilation is distracting or particularly noticeable.
Phone boxes are particularly popular for virtual meetings and calls. To literally appear in the best light in the phone box, you should see the lighting for yourself. Ideally, you should take the time for a short meeting and get an idea of the lighting conditions in various seating positions. Is the light too bright? Are you barely visible because it's far too dark? Or is there a strange shadow cast on your face?
Are you in full flow and have completely lost track of time in the phone box? We know that only too well! That's exactly why you should make sure during the product test that there are sockets or USB ports in the phone box - so that you don't run out of juice in the middle of a meeting.
Many people still like to work with pen and paper. To ensure that employees can make optimum use of all their preferred work tools in the phone box, you should make sure that the table in the phone box offers enough space for this. Can you ideally place the laptop on the table? Is there still enough room for a notebook and a coffee? Or do you constantly feel like you're going to knock your cup off the table the next time you move?
Not surprising, but: Make sure on site that all elements are well made and work as planned. Does the door close properly? Or is there a large slit at the bottom through which more than one finger can fit? Also take a close look at the door handles or door latches. Do they make a stable impression? This is particularly important for door handles, as this is a potential source of danger. Door handles can snap off in a fit of panic - in the event of a fire, for example - if they are not properly finished. With door handles, make sure that the door closes firmly. As the typical door handle closing mechanism is missing here, you should check this critically.
Ventilation is particularly important for two reasons when it comes to the comfort of the telephone box. Firstly, because of possible background noise and secondly, but above all, because of the air quality inside. To test the latter, you should definitely work in the box for 15 minutes. Is it stuffy inside? Do you feel like you're getting a headache? If this is the case, be sure to ask the manufacturer about the effective performance of the ventilation.
You should also pay attention to a few things when it comes to lighting: Is the light well distributed in the phone box? Can you read your notes well despite the lack of daylight? All of this depends heavily on the position of the light source. Also check whether the light source is reflected unfavorably on your screen. Because this will definitely interfere with your work.
Many providers also equip the telephone boxes with their own furniture, such as a chair or stool. They often match the design of the telephone box particularly well and are made of similar materials to create a uniform look. Test these products on site so that you know whether you should order them with the telephone box.
Also very important: the internet. If the internet in the phone box is not good, employees will not be able to use it for longer focus phases or meetings. So make sure during the on-site test that the connection inside is stable. If this is not the case, you should check whether there is a LAN connection.
The various models on the market also differ greatly in terms of their features. From calendar integration in the box to lights that indicate whether the telephone box is busy to automatic messages about items that need to be serviced, there is a lot on offer here. You can find out for yourself what is useful for you or just a nice gimmick.
"I feel like an animal in a zoo" or "Don't you get claustrophobic in there?": Anyone who talks about phone boxes is bound to have heard these or similar phrases more than once. To convince critics of the opposite, test for yourself how you feel when working in a phone box.
For phone boxes with more than one glass wall, you should ask yourself whether you have enough privacy. As phone booths are often used as a place of retreat, it is particularly important that employees do not feel like they are on display in them. To get a feel for the comfort factor, we recommend that you work in the box for at least 15 minutes.
The next move is sure to come. Or at least the next renovation. So make sure you find out how easy it is to move the telephone box from A to B. Can you move it around the office without professional help? Find out from your contact person.
What you can - and should! - is whether you can adjust the telephone box to any unevenness on the floor. Ideally, it should have individually adjustable feet or similar components. This is an absolute must-have, especially for old offices.
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