How to Choose a Good conference speakers

Choosing a good conference speaker is essential for ensuring clear, high-quality audio during meetings, especially in video conferencing environments. The right speaker enhances communication by delivering crisp sound and facilitating effective collaboration. Here’s a guide to help you select the best conference speaker for your needs:

1. Audio Quality

• Full-Duplex Audio: Look for speakers with full-duplex capabilities, which allow simultaneous speaking and listening without interruption. This feature ensures more natural conversations.

• Wide Frequency Range: A speaker with a wide frequency range (e.g., 60Hz–20kHz) ensures that voices sound clear, natural, and free from distortion.

• Noise Cancellation: High-quality speakers should include noise-canceling technology to eliminate background noise, ensuring clear audio even in noisy environments.

• Example: Yealink CP960 is a conference phone with excellent full-duplex audio and noise suppression features.

2. Echo Cancellation

• Echo Cancellation: Good conference speakers should feature echo cancellation to prevent sound from bouncing back and causing feedback. This is particularly important in large rooms or open spaces.

• Example: The Yealink CP700 speakerphone comes with advanced echo cancellation to ensure crystal-clear communication.

3. Room Size Compatibility

• Small Rooms (Huddle Spaces): A compact speaker with built-in microphones and moderate sound output is ideal for small rooms.

• Medium-Sized Rooms: For rooms with 6–10 participants, you’ll need a speaker that covers a wider area, with additional microphones for better audio pickup.

• Large Conference Rooms: Large rooms require more powerful speakers and multiple microphones to ensure all participants can hear and be heard. Look for solutions with omnidirectional microphones and expandable audio systems.

• Example: The Yealink CP965 is designed for large rooms and offers powerful speakers with extended audio coverage.

4. Microphone Array

• 360° Audio Pickup: Speakers with built-in 360° microphone arrays ensure all participants can be heard, even if they are seated far from the speaker.

• Multiple Microphones: Look for speakers that include multiple microphones to ensure even sound coverage in larger rooms. Some systems allow for daisy-chaining multiple units for even larger spaces.

• Example: Yealink CPW90 wireless microphones can be paired with the main speaker to provide additional audio coverage in large conference rooms.

5. Wireless vs. Wired Speakers

• Wireless Speakers: Wireless conference speakers offer flexibility and mobility, making them ideal for dynamic meeting setups where the speaker might need to move around the room.

• Wired Speakers: These are typically more reliable and don’t require battery management. However, they can be restrictive in terms of placement.

• Example: The Yealink CP700 is a wireless speakerphone that is portable and can be used with Bluetooth or USB connectivity.

6. Connectivity Options

• Bluetooth: A Bluetooth-enabled speaker allows for quick and wireless connections to smartphones, laptops, and tablets, offering flexibility in usage.

• USB: A USB connection provides a more stable connection for video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. Some speakers offer both Bluetooth and USB options.

• Daisy-Chaining: For large rooms, look for speakers that support daisy-chaining multiple units together to extend sound coverage across the room.

• Example: The Yealink CP965 offers both Bluetooth and USB connectivity and allows daisy-chaining for large conference rooms.

7. Platform Compatibility

• Ensure the speaker is compatible with your preferred video conferencing platform, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet. Some conference speakers are optimized for specific platforms or come with certifications, which can enhance performance.

• Example: Yealink CP960 is certified for both Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business, ensuring seamless integration.

8. Portability

• Portable Speakers: For teams that frequently move between different meeting rooms or need to travel, choose a lightweight, portable conference speaker with long battery life.

• Battery Life: Wireless speakers should offer at least 6–12 hours of battery life for full-day usage without needing to recharge.

• Example: The Yealink CP900 is compact and portable, making it perfect for on-the-go meetings or different room setups.

9. Smart Features

• Voice Assistance Integration: Some conference speakers come with smart assistants (such as Alexa or Google Assistant) for voice control and hands-free operation.

• Touch Controls and LED Indicators: Intuitive touch controls and visual indicators for muting, volume control, and battery status improve the usability of the device.

• Example: The Yealink CP700 has easy-to-use touch buttons and LED indicators for seamless control.

10. Budget Considerations

• Entry-Level Speakers: For smaller teams or huddle rooms, affordable speakers with basic audio quality and microphone integration are sufficient.

• Mid-Range Speakers: For medium-sized rooms, choose speakers with advanced noise cancellation and multiple microphone support.

• High-End Speakers: For large conference rooms, invest in premium speakers with AI-driven sound management, wide coverage, and extensive microphone arrays.

• Example: The Yealink CP960 is a high-end solution suitable for larger rooms, while the Yealink CP700 is more budget-friendly and ideal for smaller spaces.

Popular Models to Consider:

• Yealink CMKit-121: Yealink audio ceiling solution.

• Yealink CM20: AI-Powered Beamforming Ceiling Microphone.

• Yealink CS10: Network Ceiling Loudspeaker.

Choosing the right conference speaker depends on your room size, meeting style, and technology preferences. Focus on key features such as audio quality, microphone array, noise/echo cancellation, and connectivity to ensure seamless and clear communication in your video conferences.