May 28th, 2019 8:31 am
3 things to consider for your conference room audio system
A conference room audio system is no longer a “nice to have.” Employees and clients expect it. Whether you are moving offices or upgrading your technology, you want to make sure that any designated conference rooms or meeting rooms are wired correctly for voice, data, and audiovisual. What is the best conference room technology and how do you decide what, exactly, to look for in your audio system?
The first thing to understand is that every space in your office has different audio needs. We find conference rooms to have the most complicated or diverse needs, and we spend a lot of time helping our clients figure it out. Exactly what you need will depend on your business and how you use the conference room. Audio systems are definitely something you want to bring in a pro for—both to help you select the system and to install it.
Here are three things to think about so that you make sure you get the best conference room technology for your specific needs.
Your conference room audio system
- Sound: Obviously, sound is important because if people need to be able to hear each other. Whether you’re on conference calls or streaming video, poor audio quality can completely make or break the meeting. This is a place to invest in the best quality you can to make sure there is no echoing, crackling, feedback, or cutting out. Think about what type of audio equipment you need: telephones, audio or video conferencing, microphones. Will you have wireless access? Will you need to have individual controls?
- Video conferencing: Video conferencing is standard operating procedure as businesses become more global. In addition to good audio, you’ll need to make sure you’re using equipment and programs that are secure, consistent, and easy to use. Before you choose these tools, consider what types of video conferencing you’ll be doing and how many participants you’re likely to have. Will you be sharing video to an audience or will you be viewing video, or both? How many participants are likely to join? From where? These are all questions to ask.
- Screens: While not audio, we find the screen choice is part of the overall conference room design. The type and size depends on how large the room is and what you use it for. In addition to simply ensuring everyone in the conference room can see the screen, consider what you’re likely to project—video, presentations, or team meetings. Will your screen be mounted on the wall or do you need to be able to roll it up into the ceiling? Do you need touchscreen or whiteboard capability? Do you need more than one screen?
What upgrades do you really need?
Often, an entire conference room redesign isn’t necessary—or within budget. Clients ask us what upgrades are the best. Here’s what we think are the upgrades that really make a difference.
- Microphones. Audio is all about sound, and the microphones make or break the quality. You can get away with older screens and other equipment if the sound is good.
- Control systems. A centralized, modern control system is worth the investment. These are the most flexible and can handle everything from one large event to multiple smaller events that are happening simultaneously, all without sacrificing clarity or quality.
- Speakers. You need to broadcast the audio, right? Speakers are how you do this. You want the sound to be clear so that everyone hears what is being said.
Conference room audio systems can get complicated quickly. Rather than guess what to do, give us a call. Our A/V pros can help you figure out what you really need and how to get it within your budget. Click here to schedule a free consultation today.
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