How to choose the right microphone for a conference room

Whether you are holding an annual general meeting, trying to win a new client or simply discussing the pros and cons of a new project, being able to hear your colleagues clearly is essential.

So how can you avoid the frustration of miscommunication? – Avoid using poor quality microphones. There are many microphones available to suit every budget and sound requirement, you just need to know what you are looking for.

Table size, room size, and seating arrangements can all play a role in determining what technology is needed for full, clear sound. But for many, the best solution is individual microphones. They provide each user with mute buttons, USB charging, and many light up as the user speaks, which is a key benefit in large meetings. They also help eliminate background noise, providing superior sound quality.

1. Suspension Microphones.

Suspension microphones provide excellent sound quality by picking up very little background noise. They are also very flexible, making it easy to adjust them to a comfortable position for the speaker. Combined with their sturdy construction and light weight, they are an ideal solution.

They are less in demand in smaller meetings, but really come into their own in large conference rooms and at conferences. They allow every speaker to be heard clearly and, depending on the configuration, can provide many additional features that greatly enhance the conference experience.

Separate microphones will be required for each person or duo, but they are inexpensive. Wiring can also be minimized depending on the device they are working with. Some devices can be completely installed into tables, while others have just one cable that can be easily routed between tables.

The main advantage of a gooseneck microphone is that it provides excellent conference management. The gooseneck can come with a ring light that lights up when someone speaks, which can be very useful for conferences of 100+ people who all want/need to talk and share their opinions. The LED backlight is the perfect indicator to other delegates who are listening, giving the floor to the speaker.

It is this conference control that emphasizes the superiority of gooseneck over other models such as line array microphones. Instead of having a number of microphones working in tandem, conference chairs can gain more control over their formal conference rooms.

2. Ceiling microphones.

Ceiling microphones are another versatile choice that can be mounted either flush to the ceiling or lowered down. They are a good choice because they can receive sound 360 degrees and don’t take up desk space, so they are good for small to medium-sized meetings or meetings at large tables where it’s difficult to hear everyone’s voice. Unfortunately, however, they are not as well suited for conferences or large meetings as they can pick up too much background noise, resulting in sound quality that is not always up to par.

3. Boundary microphones.

Boundary microphones are quite similar to gooseneck models. They are small and fairly inconspicuous and are usually mounted on a table or desk. They are great at picking up the sound in front of them, but again, they pick up background noise and several are required for optimal sound pickup. Also, because they are placed on desks, they can transmit the sound of typing or shuffling papers, which can degrade the overall sound quality and distract delegates.

4. Microphone units.

Microphone units can dramatically change the conference experience. When paired with a gooseneck microphone, you can take advantage of a wide range of benefits to complement your overall needs and requirements.

Many microphone units come with USB charging, which is a great bonus for meetings or conferences where you can bring your own device. Smaller units such as , you can also use electronic three-way voting systems, which are ideal for optimizing debate, as well as high-quality speakers that provide perfect sound.

If you find that people are talking over each other, many devices have a “request to talk” feature and LED buttons that light up during the conversation to reduce confusion. Other devices, such as our model, boast a priority button for the main speaker to support them while leading the meeting, as well as fingerprint recognition and card readers for biometric identification in the most sensitive voting situations.

How do you choose a conference room microphone?”

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There are many options available, you just need to take into account the size of your meeting or conference and assess your needs.

If you are still unsure, let us help you with your choice.