Tabletop vs. Ceiling Microphones: The Best Solution for Conference Room AV
Want to Make Your Conference Calls Sound Better? Choose the Right Microphone for Your Business
Is your business struggling to navigate the “new normal” of hybrid workplaces? You’re not alone. Modern meetings present new pain points when half the staff is in person, and the other half is working from home. Many business owners are left wondering: how do we handle meetings when only half the people are here?
Some companies require everyone to call in from their computer, even if they’re in the office. But some find this method awkward and counterproductive. After all, why are we in the office if we’re not all meeting together?
Other businesses are taking a different approach. In-person staff meets over the same webcam at the conference table, and as a group, they join a video call. With high-quality conference room AV, the entire group can be seen and heard by a wide-angle camera and HD microphone.
But if you’re upgrading your conference room, that leaves you a choice. Should you use a tabletop or ceiling microphone? Both have their advantages, but which offers the best audio quality and experience?
Read on to discover the pros and cons of ceiling and table microphones. And to find conference room AV in the Dallas, TX area, learn more from Texadia Systems.
SEE ALSO: Create the Perfect Conference Room Atmosphere with Smart Technology
Tabletop Microphones
Advantages
Since tabletop microphones aren’t mounted to the ceiling, they’re much easier and quicker to install than ceiling versions. Table microphones can also be freely moved around, so it’s simpler to relocate conference rooms or offices.
Disadvantages
Table microphones need power, which requires running a cable to an outlet. So if you dislike clutter, that’s a strike against tabletop models. Table microphones may also pick up extraneous noises like shuffling papers, tapping fingers, and clinking pens, which can be disruptive to anyone listening.
Ceiling Microphones
Advantages
If someone’s at the other end of the table or standing by the whiteboard, a ceiling microphone will still pick up their voice loud and clear. The MXA910 Ceiling Array Microphone by Shure even enhances audio in real-time, and can be easily muted through your Microsoft Teams, Zoom Rooms, or other conferencing software. It’s mounted inside your ceiling for a smooth, clean finish with no wires in sight.
Another option is Devio’s Beamtracking microphone, which may be mounted or hung from the ceiling. It intelligently mixes and tracks voices from around the room, so a single speaker doesn’t overpower the conversation. Plus, your team can focus on the meeting at hand without worrying about the microphone’s position and proximity on the table.
Disadvantages
Since ceiling microphones are installed within the ceiling surface, they can’t be relocated on a whim. So, if you opt for ceiling microphones, make sure they’re in a dedicated conferencing space that won’t change or move.
For Better Sound, Don’t Forget Acoustics
Even if you install high-quality microphones, no one will be able to understand your staff if voices are bouncing off the walls and causing an echo. We can eliminate echoes and reflections with acoustic treatments on walls, ceilings, and floors to absorb excessive sound waves. That way, everyone’s voice will sound crisp, clear, and understood the first time.
Getting Started with Ceiling Microphones
When you partner with a commercial integrator like Texadia Systems, we install your conferencing hardware and connect it to your communication system. That way, your ceiling microphones are ready to go, synced to screens, speakers, and conferencing software.
Ready to improve your meeting room experience? Contact Texadia Systems to learn more about our technology services. We look forward to working with you!
