Manufacturer Boom Collaboration is on a mission to amplify the allure and importance of audio conferencing compared to ever-more sophisticated camera technologies.
In an age of 4K picture performance and AI face and zone tracking, the fast-growing hardware specialist says the power of sound shouldn’t be under estimated –or become the poor relation of meeting room collaboration.
Without being heard clearly effective communication becomes virtually impossible, it argues.
Founders Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett are stressing that in a world of intelligent video equipment, high quality audio matters more than ever.
“Camera technology has advanced dramatically in recent years and it’s important audio performance is of a similar quality to deliver an optimum user experience. Don’t neglect audio is our message,” Hulett emphasized.
Appeal
She added: “It’s true audio conferencing has been seen as ‘less sexy’ in recent years compared to hi-tech cameras, but its value shouldn’t be overlooked. Some of our latest innovations are definitely accelerating audio allure and raising its game. There needs to be a perfect marriage between the two mediums.”
Beamforming microphones that deliver a more defined and direct sound, intelligent noise reduction and high fidelity speakers are just some of the ways audio technology is developing, she stated.
To help further elevate audio conferencing attraction, Boom has developed a new videobar with expansion for up to eight individual speaker units. It is also witnessing strong demand for wireless communication where sales of a dual speaker system rose by 37% last year.
Eighties
Boom says it has broken down the barriers of traditional videobar deployments to dramatically increase the sound stage and audio pick-up especially in larger rooms.
Hörnkvist highlighted: “Traditional videobars were initially only really suited for smaller or medium rooms where everyone faced the same wall. But with some rooms now being used in more flexible ways and especially for larger spaces, expandable audio is the answer to overcome the traditional challenges of limited audio range.”
He added: “Audio conferencing has been around since the late eighties and we both used to work for the original inventors. Covid lockdowns triggered an explosion in video calls and in many ways audio was rapidly overtaken. But it’s definitely on the rise again in terms of advanced features, flexibility and overall performance.
“Technologies such as Acoustic Echo Cancelation and Automatic Gain Control enhance the meeting experience and work to ensure Full Duplex quality at distances of six meters.
“Active intelligent microphones with high sensitivity can automatically adapt to the size of meeting rooms and different numbers of participants. They work in tandem to focus on individual people and also eliminate background noise to help create a more natural experience.
“It used to be the softly spoken CEO would sit at the end of the room and would struggle to be heard because they were too far away. The loudest voice was heard but that’s not the case anymore. There’s no one size that fits all.”
Hulett concluded: “Boom is based on delivering ‘better meetings simply’ and there’s definitely been a renewed focus on audio in recent times. Users are demanding more robust high quality audio options that are wire-free, platform agnostic, easy to connect and can be expanded. Ceiling mount kits are becoming more common too.
“People are beginning to realise that audio quality needs to match picture performance. One without the other is a false economy. If people can’t be heard clearly it will ruin any remote meeting. Audio is definitely gaining a louder market voice.”
Ends
About Boom
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Austin, TX, Boom Collaboration develops conferencing and collaboration hardware solutions for a wide array of meeting environments. Boom was born by founders Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett who have a natural love for collaboration and a strong desire to address both current and future video conferencing trends, through an agile organization that brings innovation to today’s dynamic and diverse meeting room spaces. Boom believes excellent hardware that delivers smooth video and crystal clear audio brings the world one step closer and helps customers accomplish more together in less time. https://boomcollaboration.com
Contact
PR Manager, Chris Widocks
+44 7931 526294
