Advice: Portable Microphone / Amplified Speaker System

[MYK-IT]

I am looking for a solution (a device) that will allow our staff members to be able to talk to their students without the need to elevate their voice; but still can be clearly heard. E.g., some form of amplified and portable wireless microphone system (which would save messing with plugging into computer, as and when they change classrooms etc. although a wireless microphone using existing computer / speakers could be an option if far cheaper / reliable etc.)

 

Can anyone please advise what options are available to achieve this?

 

So far, the best vendors have suggested are these (with lapel microphones)

 

Edited June 7, 2017 by MYK-IT

[Domino]

meh, too complex

 

[andy_b]

For when you have all the monies:

 

https://www.lightspeed-tek.com/products/redcat-access/

[jmak]

For when you have all the monies:

 

https://www.lightspeed-tek.com/products/redcat-access/

I had one of these on trial for half a term. It was really good and although expensive, I reckoned that it would pay for itself with fewer days lost to teachers losing their voices.

 

We still didn't buy one though...

[SamanthaD]

One massive thing to consider here is scalability - once one teacher has it how long before another one wants it? Cheaper systems will only allow so many radio mics on the frequency band before you start to get interference from another set, and if they're portable you have no control - who's to say if you have 2 sets they won't end up in adjoining rooms, possibly picking up each others microphones?

 

Also consider breakages - systems such as the one you've linked to will probably have no spare parts available, so when the lapel mic breaks (it will, trust me) will you be able to get a spare? And don't get me started on batteries, feedback issues, beltpacks going missing....

 

If you really want to have vocal amplification I would suggest identifying a room it's going to be used in the most and installing a permanent solution. Then consider sending teachers on a voice projection course - it's going to be cheaper!

 

(I work in a Uni where we have a lot of radio mics installed in lecture theatres and classrooms - these are just some of our headaches!)