This issue includes articles, information and links concerning:
- Megaphones and Hand-Held PA Systems
- Responses to Customer Questions
- AudioLink Expands: DJ Equipment Now Available
- Anchor Audio Announces the Debut of a New Explorer Pro PA System
Megaphones and Hand-Held PA Systems
Megaphones: A megaphone is a cone-shaped device designed to amplify spoken words or manufactured sounds (such as a warning siren). Megaphones have a long history stretching back to the ancient world. They are a naturally occurring acoustical enhancement. In other words, rock formations or even organic forms like tree limbs or sea shells can act like a megaphone: focusing sound waves in a single direction.
As with many inventions, their first use was in the military, helping battle units communicate in the field. However, their usefulness in the realm of dramatic entertainment and public speaking was quickly recognized and indeed became more important over time. For example, some believe that the masks used in Greek theatrical performances as early as the 6th century incorporated funnel shaped mouths which, like megaphones, amplified the speech of the actors. Even today, the megaphone is often synonymous with the image of a movie director (first used on a movie set by Cecil B. DeMille).
Historically designs for megaphones were as small as a bread box or as large as a railroad car, however, most megaphones used today are electronic, portable and hand held. Power is now a function of circuitry more than size.
Whether athletic instructors use them for training, or law enforcement officials for crowd control, megaphones remain important tools for a wide variety of situations.
Hand Held Public Address Systems: Hand-held PA systems differ from megaphones in that they usually include a shoulder strap and either a wired or wireless microphone. They may also have connections for external devices, such as a CD player, and may even be pole mounted. Some are capable of either battery operation (DC) or plugging into a wall outlet (AC) or both. The power rating of PA systems is generally higher than that of megaphones, although some modern megaphones can produce 30 watts of amplification.
Hand held PA systems vs. megaphones: There are four main considerations: price, power, range, and options.
As far as price is concerned, megaphones are usually cheaper, but are more limited in what they do.
Power and range requirements should be carefully considered in choosing between PA's and megaphones.
Power: Power output (or rated power) can be stated in many different ways, but usually in terms of Watts. A PA system with a rating of 200 Watts normally is sufficient to cover an audience of 200 people. A megaphone, however, has a fairly narrow focus of amplification and therefore it is neccesary to specify its effective range (the maximum area which receives the amplified signal) as well as the power.
Range: The effective range of a megaphone is dependent on a number of factors including the background noise level of the environment where it is used. In noisy environments, a more powerful megaphone is usually required. The main difference is the shape of the area where amplified sound is heard. By definition a megaphone with the same power as a PA system will cover a triangular area which is longer and more narrow. This is why a speaker with a megaphone has to swivel to cover a crowd in front of him or her.
Finally, consider the options that fit your needs before buying.
The main difference among megaphones or comparably powered PA systems are the options, literally bells and whsistles, available. For example:
So from rallies or movie locations to safety & security applications, you can be sure AudioLinks.com has the right model for you.
Contact Us and let us help you make your decision.
Tip of the Month: Schedule regular testing and replacement of batteries for your megaphone or hand-held PA system, as recommended by the manufacturer, to ensure that your unit is always ready for use.
Responses to Customer Questions
I thought I would share -- starting with this issue -- some of the questions asked by our readers. Feel free to get involved with your own questions or comments.
Here's one from Bob R.:
Looking for a wireless mic that will be used on a lectern/podium. We currently have the Sennheiser ew100 system. The lapel mike is great, but the two handhelds are useless for podium speaking -- unless we get the speaker to hold the mic a 1/2" away and sing...
We replied:
Thank you for contacting AudioLink Services!
I believe I have a solution for you. We recommend Anchor Audio's UHF-6400 wireless microphone system. It's a combination receiver and transmitter package which gives you 64-channel true diversity and the choice of EITHER a handheld wireless microphone (WH-6400), OR a hands free wireless microphone, which uses the bodypack transmitter (WB-6400). Options for the hands free mic include a headband mic (HBM-60), a collar mic (CM-60) or lapel (lavaliere) mic (LM-60).
The system features 64 User-Selectable UHF Channels, allowing you to select a clear channel in your area. True Diversity selects the best signal from two independent receivers, reducing dropouts & minimizing multi-path distortion. This allows you to use multiple wireless microphones simultaneously - as many as your PA system can handle!
It also has an easy to read LED display, a DC Out option which recharges the hand-held microphone from the base unit (with the enclosed cable), balanced XLR & unbalanced ¼ inch outputs, plus a rackmount kit with connection cable.
Although designed for use with the Anchor Audio Xtreme, Liberty or Explorer PA systems, it can also be used with virtually any other Public Address system. And my rep at Anchor tells me that if you stand in a normal position at the lectern (2 feet away from the mic) you should have plenty of projection.
So, Bob, I recommend you get this system and stop listening to your colleague's awful singing!
And here's another inquiry, this time from Mike H.:
"Your site is great! I teach at a high school in Indiana. We have an Anchor MegaVox PB-35W. We had to send it in for repair, and consequently lost the wireless headband microphone. How much would it cost to add a wireless microphone to our system? Would I need anything else? We're on a budget, so what would you recommend? Thanks!"
And here's our response:
Dear Mike,
Thank you for contacting AudioLink Services!
I'm pleased to tell you that I have some information for you, which I hope you may find useful. I contacted Anchor Audio and was advised that the PB-35W model you are using has been discontinued and replaced by the PB-25W. However, the following products, currently available at audiolinks.com are compatible with your equipment:
The HBM-35 is the compatible headband microphone;
The WL-1000 is the compatible bodypack transmitter.
In addition, Anchor advises that to enusre compatiblilty, you must supply the transmission frequencies on which the system operates. That information can be determined by either identifying the original manufacturer serial number stamped on the unit, or the contents of the "Switch To Frequency" sticker located by the selector knob. Submitting that information allows you to order a properly tuned transmitter.
As far as your budget is concerned, to my knowledge AudioLink offers the lowest advertised pricing for these products on the internet.
Hope this helps.
Sheila G. sent this in:
"Send me info! I am interested in a remote speaker/amplifier for my father whose TV is WAY too loud for our neighbors. Is there one like you see in hospitals? Or small and powerful for a tabletop next to his chair?"
Dear Sheila,
Thank you for contacting AudioLink Services!
In response to your question regarding TV amplification equipment available, click on the following link to view a product I feel should fit the bill:
Williams Sound's SoundPlus Infrared Listening System with Rechargeable Receiver
The Williams Sound WIR 952 SoundPlus Infrared Listening System consists of a transmitter and receiver packaged in an attractive cradle arrangement. The under-the-chin style headset receiver delivers high quality stereo sound and features adjustable tone and balance controls. It has an automatic shut-off sensor, virtually eliminating unintentional battery drain. And, when you replace it back on the cradle-base it automatically recharges the included NIMH batteries.
The transmitter connects directly to your TV, VCR, DVD, satellite or audio equipment output jacks, and can be placed on top of your television or equipment cabinet.
The system operates within a 30-foot line-of-site area of the transmitter. And, because the system operates on 95 kHz, you can very often use your personal receiver at most cinemas, theaters, and other facilities that have an infrared, assistive listening device (ALD) system installed.
AudioLink Expands: DJ Equipment Now Available
We have added a new area of the web site dedicated to DJ Equipment! There you will find links to products that will make your next gig more professional and more memorable. Look for Headsets, Turntables, Mixers and Speakers that will have your fans tearing up the dance floor!
STAY TUNED for a DJ Equipment Specials Page - Coming Soon!
Meanwhile, here are a few of our current Specials if you're in the market for a solution to your presentation requirements:
AudioLink now offers the full line of CD/DVD recorders, duplicators and label printers from Microboards Technology!
If you want to set yourself up as your own digital media publisher, Microboards offers these products as a cost effective solution. To further assist you, we've taken the guesswork out of the equation by putting together three internally compatible packages of Microboards Technology products. These packages provide you with reliable digital duplicating and printing capabilities at the throughput you need and a price you'll like!
Click Here
Anchor Audio PA systems -- from portables to high end pro audio -- including the MiniVox, Megavox, Explorer, Xtreme, Liberty & Seville lectern PA -- available now for immediate shipping at below MAP pricing!
Click Here
NEW! Anchor Audio Announces the Debut of a New Explorer Pro PA System -- The next generation Explorer Pro is perfect for sound projection in indoor or outdoor settings. The unit delivers 110 dB of intelligible speech from one sound system designed for users with little or no technical experience. This versatile new system features true AC/DC, a 110/220V power supply and improved battery life. Ideal for schools, corporate trainers, places of worship and many other applications, Click Here and see which system is right for your needs.
Well, that's about it for this edition. In future issues we plan to offer reports and updates on different types of audio equipment, links to useful sites and to answer questions posed by you and other readers. We hope you will find this newsletter useful and we welcome your feedback.
Looking for something that's not on our web site? Contact Us and we'll respond as quickly as possible, or, visit AudioLink's product pages and see for yourself why we are known as: "The Home of Sound Solutions"
Until then,
That's sound advice...
Regards,
Audio Man
SiteManager@audiolinks.com
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