Sound systems for offices and boardrooms
Good office audio is mostly invisible. Music is soft and even, announcements are clear without being loud, and a conference microphone lets everyone at the table be heard. When it is done well, people notice the room feels calmer, and when it is done badly, they notice the speaker above their desk.
What an office needs from its sound system
For open-plan areas, several low-volume ceiling speakers give even background sound and avoid loud spots under a single speaker. A boardroom is a different job. It needs microphones close to the speakers at the table and speakers placed so that the room's sound does not feed back into them. Frameless ceiling speakers keep the ceiling tidy, which matters in a finished interior.
Recommended Audible products
- Speakers
-
The Y-717, Y-712 frameless and LTH-701 ceiling speakers, and the WS Y-740, RF-501 and RF-601 wall speakers. The Y-712 frameless speaker has a magnetically attached grille for a clean finish.
Ceiling speakers - Amplifiers
-
The USB-80A is a neat fit for a small office, with USB, Bluetooth 5, FM and AUX sources. Larger floors can use the A-2120H, PA-260 or LPA-150EC, and the SPA-60/150W is a compact option.
PA amplifiers - Microphones
-
The UBU938 gooseneck microphone is made for desks and meeting tables, with a cardioid pattern and XLR output.
UBU938 Gooseneck Conference Microphone
- 01Product photo placeholder
Y-717 Y-717 5-inch Ceiling Speaker
Ceiling speakers · A discreet 5-inch ceiling speaker
- 02Product photo placeholder
Y-712 Y-712 6-inch Frameless Ceiling Speaker
Ceiling speakers · A frameless ceiling speaker with a magnetic grille
- 03Product photo placeholder
LTH-701 LTH-701 6.5-inch Ceiling Speaker
Ceiling speakers · A 6.5-inch speaker for 100V lines
- 04Product photo placeholder
WS Y-740 WS Y-740 Wall Speaker, 60W
Wall speakers · An adjustable white wall speaker, 60W peak
- 05Product photo placeholder
RF-501 RF-501 5.25-inch Wall Speaker
Wall speakers · A compact 5.25-inch speaker for 70V and 100V lines
- 06Product photo placeholder
RF-601 RF-601 6.5-inch Wall Speaker
Wall speakers · A 6.5-inch speaker for long 70V and 100V runs
- 07Product photo placeholder
USB-80A USB-80A 80W 2-Zone Amplifier
PA amplifiers · 80W two-zone amplifier with Bluetooth and FM
- 08Product photo placeholder
A-2120H / A-2240H A-2120H / A-2240H Two-Zone PA Amplifiers
PA amplifiers · Two-zone amplifiers in 120W and 240W
- 09Product photo placeholder
PA-260 / PA-380 PA-260 / PA-380 Two-Zone Mixing Amplifiers
PA amplifiers · 260W or 380W, two zones, four mics
- 10Product photo placeholder
LPA-150EC LPA-150EC 280W Class AB Amplifier
PA amplifiers · Five-zone Class AB amplifier with MP3 player
- 11Product photo placeholder
SPA-60/150W SPA-60/150W Class D Amplifier
PA amplifiers · Compact Class D amplifier with battery backup input
- 12
UBU938 UBU938 Gooseneck Conference Microphone
Conference microphones · A gooseneck conference microphone, battery or phantom powered
How to plan it
Decide which rooms need speech and which need music, then give them separate zones. For a boardroom, our guide to choosing a conference microphone covers placement and feedback.
Common questions
Can the same amplifier serve the reception and the meeting room?
Yes, if it has more than one zone. Each zone has its own on and off, so music can play in reception while the meeting room stays quiet.
Do I need phantom power for the conference microphone?
The UBU938 runs on a 3V battery or on 48V phantom power, so it can work with or without it.