At the heart of the system is a central control panel, through which all of audio passes before being amplified out to the entire classroom. There are two wireless channels for voice amplification – one for the teacher mic and the other for students. Teachers love the comfy headset mic and connected transmitter because it helps saves their voice, leaving them feeling less fatigued at the end of the day. Students share their own wireless handheld mic and feel validated when their peers can hear everything that's said. An optional wired mic can also be used for a third presenter at the same time. Both wireless mics are recharged overnight once placed into their control panel holders and after eight hours are ready for a full day's use on a single charge.
Two ceiling-mounted sensors (twice the industry norm) receive the audio from both wireless mics and create an expanded coverage area for both of the wireless mics, preventing signal “drop outs”. This ensures no words are lost in classrooms up to 2,000 square feet.
In addition to amplifying audio played from MAC & PC computers and other audio sources, the system has an additional output designed to support a supplemental assistive listening system for students with special hearing needs. The Infrared Audio system can also be connected with teleconferencing systems (such as Microsoft® Netmeeting) without the worry of annoying feedback so everyone in class can listen to and participate in the distance learning opportunities, Skype® sessions and clearly hear connected announcements made from the school's main office.
Amplified audio for the Infrared Classroom System is routed through a choice of two or four array speakers of two or four ceiling speakers. Array speakers (PI30-SP) projects the audio at the audience with a narrower projection pattern. The tighter dispersion angle doesn't create disruptive background noise since the sound won't be bounced off walls and windows. Array speakers distribute the sound more evenly so the volume levels are the same at the front & rear of the room. The ceiling speakers are engineered with a frequency response that's optimal for vocal reproduction and multimedia presentations.
