Commercial Integrator May 2023 - 18

Spotlight on Audio
voice-lift is desired, " he says. " And a worn
or held wireless microphone is often the
best way to achieve this. " And regarding
intercoms, the tragic threats our children
face at school are spurring investment.
" There is grant money available to improve
school security, and intercom systems are
driving some of the interest, " Wright notes,
pointing to schools whose 30-plus-yearold
systems desperately need updating.
Vertical-Market Opportunities
Our interviewees' focus on corporate and
education applications might stick out in
the context of a Deep Dive centering on
performance audio. But, in fact, those two
vertical markets appear to be ideal targets
for integrators' sales teams. Salto points to
the education market evincing a healthy increase
over the past two years. He remarks,
" Many schools had initiatives to accommodate
hybrid/virtual classes into their existing
classrooms in the form of adding power
amps, loudspeakers and microphones to
support videoconferencing in the room. "
Meanwhile, Kawczynski says that these
verticals now present projects " ...calling for
a higher level of intense sound. " He adds,
" We've had projects in each vertical for
productions studios, listening rooms, and
indoor and outdoor athletic facilities. "
Salto observes that many corporate
clients view performance-audio technology
as a facilitator to assist in their return-to-office
initiatives. " And not just in the form of typical
conference room and training room AV systems
we might be used to, " he states. " Having
audio products support open areas - an
office lobby or lunchroom - may [help]
support a large-scale town-hall meeting. "
That would likely entail bringing in wireless
microphones and a mixing console, which
could be used with installed loudspeakers
otherwise used for background music. But
integrators oughtn't to overlook the profit
potential associated with conference rooms,
either. " I feel the conference-room market
will remain strong in the next 12 months
while businesses continue to find the right
blend of work from home versus [work] in
the office, " Wright opines.
Diversified's Timmins shifts the verticalmarket
conversation to the ever-increasing
popularity of smart venues; in particular,
18
Commercial Integrator MAY 2023
he highlights sports, faith and performance
venues. " These venues incorporate
cutting-edge audio technology, such
as immersive sound systems, advanced
acoustics and audio analytics, to create
an immersive and engaging experience
for the audience, " Timmins enthuses.
He highlights evolving capabilities for
adjusting audio settings in real time and
customizing audio experiences for different
events. " From providing crisp audio during
high-energy sports events to delivering
crystal-clear audio during religious services,
smart venues offer a unique audio
experience that leaves a lasting impression
on attendees, " Timmins declares.
The opportunity in the worship market
seems worth underscoring; here, Peavey
says that he has seen the church market
produce the greatest demand as of late.
" The pandemic put many church projects
on hold, " he acknowledges. " Now that
the world is returning to normal, those
projects have kicked up again. " And, of
course, potential parishioners are looking
for an experience beyond what they can get
streaming on YouTube or Facebook.
Dollars and Cents
Drawing on AVIXA's market research, Wargo
paints a rosy picture of the integrator
revenue flowing from performance-audio
products and technologies. " The relevant
solution area for what we're discussing
here would be performance/entertainment, "
Wargo explains. " We expect that
compound annual growth rate to be
8%. " That high-single-digit CAGR can't
be too surprising, as much of the excess
savings that people accumulated during
the pandemic is now flowing into verticals
that leverage performance audio to deliver
outstanding experiences. " There's been
good revenue flowing into the markets that
would be buying those fixed-installation
solutions, " he opines.
SoundTube on its STNet
IP-Enabled Audio Innovation
Over a decade ago, SoundTube Entertainment revolutionized commercial audio distribution
by creating the category for IP-enabled PoE speakers with the introduction of
STNet. Originally compatible with CobraNet, current versions add Dante and AES67,
making STNet compatible with most IP-enabled distributed audio network systems.
With the introduction of the STNet series, system designers, for the first time, were
able to design distributed audio systems that totally resided on the network. The
systems seamlessly integrate into existing network infrastructures or can be set up on
their own VLAN, making control, configuration and monitoring simple.
The STNet series uses a single Ethernet cable for power, audio and control, resulting
in cost savings and reduced installation time. The PoE technology and all devices
residing on the network allow for easy power distribution and management, making
it suitable for dynamic audio environments like convention centers, shopping malls,
hotels and education facilities.
SoundTube's STNet series offers a diverse selection of formats, including in-wall,
surface-mount, open-ceiling pendants, in-ceiling, soundbar, outdoor models and
DSP amplifier, catering to a variety of installation requirements. With timbre-match
sound, STNet ensures different mounting options can be combined to create a
consistent audio experience. The built-in DSP capabilities enable precise tuning to
optimize performance in any environment. SoundTube offers a custom color option
to ensure the project's design aesthetic is met.
SoundTube's STNet series extended IP-enabled distributed audio to the speaker
allows designers to have total visibility and control of the entire audio system, from
endpoint to endpoint. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and prioritizing
user-friendly design, the STNet series sets a new standard for audio performance
and ease of use.
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