What is the Difference Between Active and Passive PA’s?

Fender PA SystemTwo Main Types of PA Systems In the world of portable and permanent PA systems, you will usually hear the words “active” and “passive” when describing the type of PA system being used. This blog will explore what the real differences are, the pro and cons, and why you may want to use one over the other. A lot of… Read the rest

Portable PA Systems With 30 Watts of Power (or less)

Samson PA system7 things to consider when deciding if a “mini” PA system will suit your needs. The least expensive of the PA systems – PA systems with 30 Watts of power or less – provide a wide range of highly functional solutions to the problems of sound reinforcement. Because they are relatively easy to manufacture, this segment of the market is… Read the rest

How To Choose Noise Cancelling Headphones that Fit Your Needs

Man Listening to Music with Wireless HeadphonesWhat Are Noise Cancelling Headphones? For commuters and travelers faced with noisy planes, trains, and buses, noise cancelling headphones are more than a luxury: they’re a necessity. Noise cancelling headphones cancel annoying background sounds by employing a variety of techniques, both active and passive. Active noise cancelling technology blocks sounds such as plane engines and train vibrations by creating interference… Read the rest

6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Portable Sound System for Your Classroom

portable PA system with headset micThe proper sound system can critically impact student performance in your classroom. Classroom sound systems include any sound reinforcement system that amplifies a teacher’s voice to reach all corners of the classroom, overcoming background noise and enhancing student concentration. A portable classroom sound system provides an affordable solution for teachers seeking a simple-to-use system that’s easy to carry from place… Read the rest

TV Listening – Wireless Infrared Receivers & Infrared Transmitters

TV listening systems by Williams Sound & Sennheiser are ADA compliant IR sound systems using infrared transmitters & infrared receivers. Listening to TV without a hearing aid is now possible for many people with hearing loss. Many people with hearing loss are finding that listening to their favorite TV program has become a solitary experience. Turning up the volume on… Read the rest

Handheld PA’s & Megaphones

Choosing the Right Handheld PA & Megaphones Hand-Held PA’s & Megaphones: There Is No Such Thing As A Small Audience 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… Read the rest

Jackboxes Turn Media Players into Classroom Listening Centers

How to choose a jackbox for your classroom listening center Classroom listening centers generally combine three components: a media player, a jackbox (or hub) to distribute audio signals, and headphones. No doubt you’re familiar with media players and headphones. The distribution hub is less well-known. The hub links multiple headphones to a media player so several students can listen in… Read the rest

How To Buy a TV Listening System

How to Buy a TV Listening System and Hear What You’ve Been Missing on TV! With hearing loss, simple home activities like watching TV can become a problem, not only for the person who is hearing impaired, but also for the other members of the household. To cope with hearing loss, many people simply crank up the volume on their… Read the rest

FM and Infrared (IR) Wireless: What’s the Difference?

What is FM Wireless? To begin with, just what does FM wireless mean? For starters, FM is one type of radio frequency transmission. Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary tells us that radio frequency (RF) is a frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum within which radio waves may be transmitted, from about 3 kilohertz to about 300,000 megahertz. What about IR Wireless? Conversely, Webster… Read the rest

Assistive Listening Devices for the Home

5 Ways Assistive Listening Devices Can Enhance Life for the Hearing Impaired Assistive listening devices enhance the quality of life for people with mild to moderate hearing impairment. A portable personal amplifier that boosts sound in public and private spaces is one example of an assistive listening device. But losing the ability to clearly hear speech and conversation in public… Read the rest