Abstract: An method and a device for echo suppression in a handsfree apparatus, particularly for a telephone is disclosed. With the aid of a control unit, control signals are generated from the signal of the far-end subscriber, the output signal of the loudspeaker-room-microphone system and the output signal of an adaptive filter used as reference, the control signals having an amplitude and a time response dependent on the speech mode. Using the control signals, the amplifications VE, VS of controllable amplifiers disposed in the receiving and transmitting paths are adapted to the speech mode, thus reducing the residual echo. The stepless transition of the amplifications from a quiescent value to a value attenuated with the factor and having an exponential time characteristic in response to a change of speech mode, provides an impression of natural speech.