We have more than one phone in the house. When a call is answered on another phone the answering machine shows these calls as "missed calls". The second annoyance that it seems not be able to handle day light savings time. Even when I correct the time manually it resets itself to the wrong time. So for half of the year the phone calls are shown as 1 hour off. I read the manual trying to find how to change this and could not find it. If someone who is reading this review knows how make it responsive to Day Light Savings time I would really appreciate a tip on how to do it.
On the positive side, the display is large and clear. The screen has a back light (note that the dial buttons do not have back light). The back light is turned on when a phone call is coming in or when you press any button. The voice that comes in on the phone is loud and sounds good. This is also true when you use the speaker phone. I am told that I sound crisp and clear even when I am using the speaker phone. When there is a message waiting there is a button that blinks to indicate a waiting message. The manual states that you can also configure a beep to indicate a waiting message, but we do not use this option. The answering machine is easy to turn on and off (a button that glows when answering machine is turned on). I have caller id, so when a new phone call comes in I can see the phone number and name displayed on the screen (it is not announced by voice, just displayed).
I am using this phone as a wall phone. I like how the attachment bracket is designed - it is easy to hang and the phone is lifted a little away from the wall. The handset has a special catch to make it work well as a wall phone.
The messages and greeting announcements are digitally recorded in the internal media. Recording my own greeting was easy.
This phone comes with AC adapter but it is actually possible to make calls during power failure. The power comes from the phone line itself, so it is limited to making and receiving calls. Other functionality is not available unless you have power. After the power outage I have to reset time, but my pre-programmed quick dial numbers are NOT lost.
Other than the two negatives I mentioned at the start of the review the phone has many good features that I like.
Ali Julia review
This landline phone has most of the features one could ask for in a home phone, and the large buttons and display are easy to see and use. It has a quality look and feel, at a low price.
The text of the LCD display is large and easy to read. Love the choice of orange for the display backlighting - much easier on the eyes than the ubiquitous harsh blue you see everywhere. But I don't like that the model number (CL4940) is displayed when the phone is not in use...kind of pointless. The orange backlighting is usually off, but turns on when someone is calling (but turns off after a minute or two into the call), when the receiver is lifted, or any button is pressed. Its contrast is adjustable in 4 levels. However its actual brightness is not adjustable and is a bit dim for daytime environments - it's not as bright and clear as it looks in the product pic. Hopefully the display won't fail after a few years as others have experienced, and like my previous AT&T office phone did.
The built-in answering machine works well and is not difficult to learn to use. When you decide to have it on, the "ANS ON" button will steadily glow in red. The default message is a pre-recorded: "Hello - please leave a message after the tone" in a male voice. Or you can record your own message for incoming callers. The "PLAY/STOP" button glows in blinking red to indicate you received a new message. You can adjust the number of rings before the answering machine turns on (choose between 2 to 7 rings).
Unlike some office phones, the angle that the phone sits at is not adjustable, and is at a pretty low angle. A higher sitting angle would be more comfortable for dialing. But the angle of the display is adjustable, and most people will have it angled upward a bit. For the ringer, there are 4 volume levels plus off - but even the lowest setting is quite loud. This phone is single-line only, and there isn't a set of dedicated buttons and labels for numbers you call often (one-touch dialing). But you can store numbers in the directory, assign a name to each one, and dial from there. Lastly, there is no 'hold' button to allow you to put the handset down and continue the call on another phone on the same line. If you don't need these features, this phone will work well in an office too.
The phone was sent in its original consumer box that was secured in a larger Amzn shipping box with plenty of air pillows to stabilize it.
It's attractive and easy to set up by following the instruction booklet. The readout is clear and the contrast level can be adjusted to suit. The buttons are big and have a slightly resistant push that enhances tactile feedback to confirm the button has been fully depressed when dialing. My old phone number buttons would slip and go halfway down so misdials were common if dialing quickly; no such problems with this one. The answering machine is preprogrammed with a neutral, moderately pitched male voice, or you can easily record (and erase to re-record) your own outgoing message. Speed dial, caller id, call waiting, speakerphone, messages that play and replay all work on my phone, and it has a nice finish and feel and rounded corners, no irritating sharp areas. It's heavy enough to stay put when dialing and communicating. Both the receiver & speakerphone have adjustable volumes, as does the ringer, which can also be turned off. A light shows when there's a message & the display goes on when the speaker button or receiver are picked up, then goes dark within a few seconds of hanging up. My voice has been very clear to others whether using the speaker or handset, and their volume is also fine.
I'm glad to have found an inexpensive phone that is well designed and has so many features. Good deal.
This is a fine corded speakerphone with built-in answering machine.
At first I had a problem getting the Caller ID to work, but the culprit turned out to be the ancient fax machine I had in the loop. I decommissioned the fax machine, which I never use anymore anyway, hooked the phone directly to the jack, and the Caller ID worked as expected.
Otherwise the answering machine records up to 25 minutes of messages -- more than ample for most homes -- and includes a defeatable call screening capability allowing you to monitor incoming calls when Caller ID doesn't identify the caller.
The fact that you can turn off call screening distinguishes this phone/answering machine from the AT&T answerer I had before that kept waking me with voice messages when I was asleep.
And yes, you can turn off the phone ringer as well.
Other handy features include "Voice Assist" and adjustable EQ and volume, which enhance the clarity of conversations for those with less-than-perfect hearing.
I like the phone's large backlit LCD screen and buttons as well.
The phone runs on AC power instead of batteries, but it will retain messages and phone numbers in the dialing directory and call log after power failures. Oddly, the one thing you have to reset after a power failure is the time and date. Well, there's always something to improve upon...
In summary, this is probably as good a corded speakerphone with answering machine as you can find, and it's reasonably priced to boot.
PROS:
* Excellent voice clarity with adjustable EQ and volume.
* Answering machine records up to 25 minutes of messages.
* Large backlit LCD screen and buttons.
* Supports Caller ID and Call Waiting.
* Ability to silence ringer and call monitor.
* Retains memory after power failures.
* Reasonably priced.
CONS:
* You still need to reset time and date after power failures.
UPDATE April 2015: A few more lines of dots on the LCD display have failed, making one character position on the display almost unreadable. All other phone functions working fine . 2 1/2 years service from an LCD display that's on 24/7 is pretty good! I've ordered the same model again to replace it.
UPDATE October 2014: After two years of trouble-free service a couple vertical lines on the LCD display stopped working -- each vertical line is only about 1/4 of a text letter wide so the affected text characters are still easily legible. All other phone functions are working well. I intend to replace with the same unit when the time comes, even with the minor display issue after two years this unit is still a 'best buy' IMO.
ORIGINAL REVIEW August 2012:
I purchased my AT&T CL4940 locally because I needed a that-day replacement for a long-time-in-service Nortel.
I'm writing this review based on initial quality as I have only owned the phone for 24 hours. Thus far I am impressed by:
1. Sound quality through both the handset and speaker. This is adjustable with a 4 setting equalizer, I'm using the default 'Natural' setting, there are two treble boost settings and one bass boost setting available.
2. Volume available through both handset and speaker is individually adjustable and can be made very loud on the highest settings.
3. Answering machine ease of operation.
4. Total message+announcement recording time of 25 minutes -- these days that's good, many answering machines have less than 15 minutes of audio storage. 60 minutes is still the target amount for manufacturers in my opinion -- the problem is that like most answering machines, this one will stop taking messages once the memory is full -- and a busy business day or some political robocalls can fill things up pretty fast and shut the system down.
5. Good human interface -- big buttons, readable and backlit display, clealy labled control buttons -- you do still need to look at the manual just a bit to see how the menu and control system is set up but it's about as simple as it can be made, IMO.
The one disadvantage is the index in the user manual which has way too few entries -- I downloaded the .pdf version of the manual just to search for info on the 'equalizer' (it can only be set while you are listening to something) -- and how to reset the 'missed calls' counter (press and hold the CANCEL button). Other than the lack of a complete index, the user manual is clear and explanatory.
At the time of this review there are two 2-rated reviews. The one mentioning the need for a DSL filter if you have DSL service applies to most phones and fax machines. Although I did not try the included wall mounting bracket, looking at it I would agree that this phone is not well suited for wall mounting -- I don't know of any larger desktop type phones that include an answering machine that are.
Overall I give this phone high marks for design, execution, and value, with durability being the unknown factor.
Feature Product
- Simple, Corded Operation . Line Power Mode . Display Dial . Mute . Last Number Redial . Flash
- Receiver Volume Control . Ringer Volume Control . Table and Wall Mountable . Hearing Aid Compatible . English/Spanish/French Setup Menu
- Clear speak Dial-in-Base Speakerphone . Speakerphone Volume Control . Caller ID / Call Waiting . 50 Name and Number Caller ID History
- Digital Answering System . Call Screen/Intercept . Time and Date Stamp . Message Counter . Big button Display;Message guardR memory for power failure
- Backlit Display . Extra-Large Tilt Display . Extra-Large Buttons.Power adapter input:AC120V 60Hz
- DSL Subscribers may need to us a DSL Filter
Description
Cl4940Wht- Corded Answering System.Troubleshooting steps as follows:1. If you are having trouble hearing on the handset, try replacing the handset cord. 2. Please check if you can hear the dial tone. The volume may be turned down too low to hear the other party. Press VOLUME on the base to turn up the volume. 3. Try a handset and/or line cord from a working set. If this corrects the problem, replace the appropriate cord. 4. If you have connected this telephone to a phone jack that has not been used before, or that has not been used in sometime, there may be problems with this jack that you are not aware of. Use a telephone jack that you know is in proper working order. 5. You may have a line problem. To test for a line problem, test your unit at another location. If your unit works at another location, contact your local telephone company.
AT&T CL4940--Had to replace a Panasonic corded answering machine I had for 5 yrs. The machine was one of the items destroyed by an electric surge explosion after a brief thunderstorm. The model is no longer available, it seems every time something is good it's removed from the market. That machine, together with CL4940 had the same featurers which I don't need. My sole intentions is for answering purposes. Not thrilled the machine is in white but it was the cheapest I could find for my use. Large buttons are a nice feature should I use it as a phone, it's quite simple to program, although I'm still having difficulty setting day/date/time feature. I find the following very interesting---I called AT&T customer support, prior to receiving the item, inquiring if a light flashes when there's a message and was told "absolutely not." Customer support personnel need to become familiar with the products AT&T sell because a light does flash which is extremely convenient because it can be seen from a distance.
This is an extremely nice phone. It is easy to set up. I especially like the large numbers on the key paid. They are easy to read and make keying in a phone number a quick and simple task. The phone is quite attractive with a sort of muted white color rather than bright white coloring. The functions on the phone all work well and it is easy to see the bright lighting,when you have an incoming call or someone leaves a message. And the cost for all of this,was in my mind very reasonable. If you are in the market for a very good land line phone than this is the phone for you.
This AT&T CL4940 Corded Standard Phone with Caller ID & Answering Machine is totally awesome. To use this This AT&T CL4940 Corded Standard Phone with Caller ID & Answering Machine you must read your manual because; this device is not totally intutive. The phone is feature rich and for a very reasonable price. The phone is light but well made by todays standards. The muted orange LCD display is bright and easy to read without being harsh on the eyes and my vision is not the best.
The speaker phone is weak compared to most other units I had in the past. If there is almost any background noise in your phones location speaker phone on this device is almost useless. This speaker phone works best when it is just you in a quiet room. Likewise the hands free microphone on this phone is not the best quality either. I'd say both the speaker phone and the speaker are both adequate but just barely.
If you subscribe to the you get what you pay for idict they you are not proven wrong here. AT&T clearly scrimped on the quality of the speaker and the microphone on this This AT&T CL4940 Corded Standard Phone with Caller ID & Answering Machine model. It is not that AT&T does not know how to make a good speaker package for a phone. I am replacing two AT&T phones brought 6 years ago and their built in speakers still BOOM like a ghetto blaster radio from the 70's. Best of all the sound is clear and crisp. This This AT&T CL4940 Corded Standard Phone with Caller ID & Answering Machine has the weakest speaker phone I have ever heard anywhere. Like I said the speaker phone here is almost useless so if you need a good loud solid speaker phone look elsewhere.
In every other way this is a superior phone for the money. This phone can't be rated 5 stars by me. Best I can do is three stars because; while this is the most feature packed awesome phone in many ways the truly horrible speaker phone and mic for same ruin what otherwise would have been a five star world class phone!
My old cordless phone with a built in answerer had finally given up the ghost. Even though it still worked, you couldn't tell what the display was showing anymore and it was beginning to lost connections when away from the base. The main reason was the display as you couldn't tell what you were dialing anymore. At any rate, I really wanted a cord type phone as the cordless was not of any use if a power outage took place. I needed a phone with answerer and number memory so I wouldn't have to keep up with the numbers as I'm really bad keeping up with things like this without keeping notes, etc. I checked this phone out for a replacement for the old one. It seems to have all the features I needed and a few I didn't need. After reading the reviews and looking over the features, I decided it was the one for me. Got it in yesterday and unpacked and looked it over. Liked it's look and styling. I noted it could be wall mounted and as I had once had a wall mounted cord phone that I liked this was great. I got a 25 foot headset cord to go with it and had no trouble installing it. After the usually drilling holes, placing of screws and getting the phone mounted, I had it set up and checked it out. First thing I noted was the answerer's message is very bland and I changed that right off the bat. This was very easy to do and that sort of surprised me as my old one had been a bit of a pain to change. I noted that this phone has easy to read prompts to help and also voice cues to help you. The display was large and easy to read, but the angle on my wall was such that I had to up the contrast to be able to see it OK. This was very easy to do. Changing any settings were very easy to do and the manual that came with it was very helpful in this. Entering numbers in the phone's memory was likewise very easy to do. I did note one thing in the manual however that was a bit confusing. The manual states the phone has 10 speed dial locations and it does, but what it doesn't point out is that these locations are taken from the phone's total memory for phone numbers which is 25 total. So if you store 10 speed dial items, then you only have 15 slots left in the directory slots. In the manual, it seems to say that you have 10 speed dial and 25 phone directory locations when you only have 25 slots total. That said, that's a very minor thing for me. I really liked the ability to turn off the ringer and the call monitoring feature if you wanted to. The display stays off until a call is received or you use the phone. It then comes on and if the call monitor and ringing are off, it stays silent when dealing with the call. My old phone would sometimes wake me up when it received a call and you couldn't turn this off on it. This was a real pleasure for me. It also has volume controls and a type of "tone" adjustment that I set to natural as that sounded good to me. On the power outage front, I noted that if you lose power the basic phone functions are still there as they run off the phone company's line voltage. (My old one would just go dead until the power came back up.) Overall, this phone is just what the doctor ordered for me and I'm very happy with it.
This phone works simply and well and has a nice, large backlit AC powered display - no messing with batteries. The answering machine works well. My only complaint is that on a previous AT&T phone that I had, I could pull up the number in the caller ID of someone who had called me and could simply press "1" and the phone would insert the 1 before the area code so that I could easily dial the number displayed in the caller ID with the 1 before the area code. This phone won't do that. It's not a deal breaker but it means you may have to write numbers displayed in the caller ID down so that you can call people back. Previously, if you pressed 1, first, and then selected the call from the call log, it would automatically dial the number with the 1 in front of the area code from the call log. Not a deal breaker, but just a little bit more of a hassle. Other than that, this is a very decent landline phone with a capable and simple to operate answering machine.
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