Overview

The Poly Studio X52 is the middle child in Poly's X-series lineup, and like most middle children, it's the pragmatic choice. It inherits the X72's integrated compute and NoiseBlockAI audio intelligence but swaps the flagship's dual telephoto cameras for a dual-camera system optimized for medium rooms. The result is a genuinely capable all-in-one device for 8-14 person conference rooms at a price point roughly $3,000 below the X72.

The integrated compute story is the same one that makes the X72 compelling: Zoom Rooms and Microsoft Teams Rooms run natively on the device with no external PC. For IT departments that have experienced the frustration of troubleshooting a conference room and discovering the problem is a Windows update on the room PC, this alone can justify the X52 over cheaper alternatives that require separate compute.

Where the X52 faces its toughest competition is against the Logitech Rally Bar ($4,199) and Neat Bar Pro ($5,850). The Rally Bar offers broader platform support, while the Neat Bar Pro provides superior AI framing. The X52's advantage is the simplicity of zero-PC deployment at a competitive price — for medium-sized Zoom or Teams rooms, it's the cleanest all-in-one solution available.

Features Deep-Dive

AI Director with Dual Cameras

The X52 uses the same AI Director technology as the X72, analyzing the room through dual cameras to intelligently frame meeting participants. The system offers multiple modes: group framing that captures everyone in the room, speaker tracking that follows the active speaker, and a gallery mode that frames individuals separately. While the X52's cameras lack the X72's dedicated telephoto lens with its extended reach for very large rooms, they handle medium conference rooms (up to roughly 20 feet deep) effectively. The dual-camera architecture still provides meaningfully better framing than single-camera competitors at similar distances, particularly when participants are spread across the width and depth of the room.

NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence

The X52 inherits Poly's full audio intelligence stack. NoiseBlockAI identifies and suppresses non-speech sounds — keyboard noise, pen tapping, HVAC rumble, coffee cups — using machine learning models that continuously improve through firmware updates. Acoustic Fence creates a virtual boundary around the meeting space, attenuating voices from adjacent rooms even in open-plan offices or glass-walled conference rooms. This combination is particularly valuable in medium-sized rooms that often sit along corridors or share walls with other meeting spaces. The microphone array provides clear pickup across the room, and the built-in speakers deliver natural voice reproduction for remote participants.

Single-Device IT Simplification

Every X52 runs Zoom Rooms or Microsoft Teams Rooms on its integrated compute platform, managed centrally through Poly Lens. This eliminates the room PC from the equation entirely — one device to provision, one firmware to manage, one serial number for asset tracking. For organizations deploying dozens of medium conference rooms, the operational savings are substantial: no Windows licensing per room, no PC hardware refresh cycles, no troubleshooting Windows Update conflicts that knock rooms offline. Dual HDMI outputs support two displays, and HDMI input handles wireless or wired content sharing from participant laptops.

Pricing Analysis

At $3,853, the Poly Studio X52 occupies an interesting middle ground. It's notably cheaper than the Logitech Rally Bar ($4,199) while including integrated compute that the Rally Bar doesn't offer natively. However, the X52 doesn't include a touch controller — the Poly TC10 adds approximately $800-1,000, pushing the deployed cost to $4,600-4,800 per room. This is where the value calculation gets nuanced: if you're committed to Zoom or Teams and want the simplest possible deployment, the integrated compute justifies the investment. If you need multi-platform support (Google Meet, BYOD), the Rally Bar's broader compatibility may be worth the trade-off of requiring a separate compute device. The X52 makes the strongest case in organizations already running Poly equipment, where Poly Lens provides unified fleet management.

Who Is This For?

Poly Studio X52 works best for:

• IT teams deploying medium conference rooms (8-14 seats) on Zoom or Teams that want zero-PC deployment — mount the bar, connect power and Ethernet, and the room is provisioned without a separate computer
• Organizations already in the Poly ecosystem that want consistent Poly Lens management across rooms of different sizes, using X72 for large rooms, X52 for medium, and X32 for small
• Companies prioritizing audio quality in environments with noise challenges — NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence handle open-plan adjacent noise better than most competitors' noise cancellation

Who Should NOT Use This

Poly Studio X52 might not be the right choice if:

• You're weighing it against the X72 or X32 — the X52 occupies a middle ground that can feel like a compromise. If your rooms are consistently large (14+ people), the X72's telephoto camera justifies the upgrade. If your rooms are consistently small (under 8 people), the X32 at $2,099 delivers the same integrated compute and NoiseBlockAI at a much lower price.
• You need Google Meet or multi-platform native support — the X52 runs Zoom and Teams natively but requires a separate compute module for Google Meet. The Logitech Rally Bar supports all three platforms in its built-in appliance mode.

Bottom Line

The Poly Studio X52 is the right choice for organizations that value deployment simplicity above all else. Its integrated compute eliminates the most frustrating variable in conference room IT — the separate room PC — while delivering Poly's proven NoiseBlockAI audio quality. It won't win awards for cutting-edge AI framing, but for medium Zoom and Teams rooms that need to work reliably every time, the X52's single-device architecture is its greatest strength.

FAQ

How does the X52 compare to the X72 and X32?

The three share the same integrated compute platform and Poly Lens management. The X72 ($6,999) adds dual telephoto cameras for large rooms (14-20+ people). The X52 ($3,853) targets medium rooms (8-14 people) with a dual-camera system optimized for shorter distances. The X32 ($2,099) serves small rooms (2-8 people) with a single camera. Choose based on your room size — the compute and audio intelligence are consistent across the lineup.

Does the X52 include a touch controller?

No. The Poly TC10 touch controller is sold separately at approximately $800-1,000. The X52 can be controlled via the Zoom or Teams interface on a connected display, or through Poly Lens remotely. Many organizations deploy without a dedicated controller, using the meeting platform's interface on the room display instead.

Can I use the X52 with Google Meet?

Not natively. The X52's integrated compute runs Zoom Rooms and Microsoft Teams Rooms. For Google Meet, you'd need a separate compute module, which adds cost and complexity. If Google Meet is a primary platform, the Logitech Rally Bar is a better fit.

What's the maximum room size for the X52?

The X52 is designed for medium conference rooms seating approximately 8-14 people. In practice, it handles rooms up to about 20 feet deep effectively. For larger spaces, the X72 provides the telephoto camera reach needed to frame distant participants sharply.