Introduction
When planning a meeting space, boardroom, or event venue, audio isn’t usually the star of the show. It’s not as flashy as the 4K LED pro display on the wall or the sleek mahogany table in the centre. But the moment someone says, “Can you hear me?” or you’re straining to understand a speaker through muffled sound or echo, it quickly becomes the only thing that matters.
Whether you’re building a new space or upgrading an existing one, this guide will help you understand what makes a great sound system and how to choose the right solution for your organisation.
Acoustics
If you’re a regular reader of our blogs, you’ll know we often stress the importance of acoustics—and for good reason. It’s a common issue that can seriously impact audio quality. Larger rooms typically have more echo and reverb, which can blur speech or interfere with sound coming from other areas of the space.
In environments where bass-heavy audio is expected, it’s particularly important to address any problem areas. Lower frequencies, for example, tend to build up in corners and along walls, which can muddy the overall sound.
Making sure your space is acoustically treated, whether through smart furniture placement, ceiling panels, or purpose-built treatments, can significantly improve the performance of your sound system. As pointed out by Dan Morris, Technical Lead at MVS, acoustic treatment is always more cost effective and impactful than trying to correct the problems with technology.
Note: Despite often being seen as interchangeable, acoustic treatment and soundproofing are two very different things. Acoustic treatment is focused on improving sound quality within a space by reducing echo, reverberation, and harsh frequencies. Soundproofing, on the other hand, aims to block sound from entering or leaving a room entirely (or as much as possible). This approach typically requires more extensive construction work and can be much more costly to implement effectively.
Meeting and conference rooms
With virtual meetings now the norm, your sound system needs to deliver clear, natural communication—for both in-room and remote participants.
The foundation of good audio starts with the basics: a clear voice and an acoustically well-treated room. As Dan puts it, “The DSP can do very little to improve the quality if what it’s working with is poor to begin with.”
That said, when the fundamentals are right, technologies like beamforming microphones, correctly selected and positioned speakers, and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) help maintain clarity, minimise background noise, and make remote attendees feel more present.
Tip: Wall-mounted speakers typically offer better sound placement than ceiling speakers—but it depends on your room layout and use case. An AV consultant can help determine what works best.
Townhalls
Townhalls present their own set of challenges. These spaces are often large and dynamic, with multiple speakers, open Q&A, and hybrid attendance. The right audio setup should provide wide coverage and make it easy to switch between different types of input, whether it’s a roaming mic, a panel discussion, or a live broadcast.
Wireless microphones, zoned speaker configurations, and intuitive control panels are all essential for ensuring the sound is balanced, consistent, and easy to manage on the fly.
Auditoriums and theatres
Larger spaces designed for big audiences can require a more cinematic audio experience. For example, our AV consultants often take clients to the Q-SYS Experience Centre. Their auditorium demonstrates powerful sound systems with full-range speakers that completely immerse the audience.
When done well, the audio should be just as clear and impactful in the back row as it is at the front. That usually requires larger speakers mounted on walls, ceilings, or even integrated behind projection surfaces.
If your space is multi-purpose or has architectural limitations, we can help design a solution that blends performance with practicality.
Of course, not every space needs wall-shaking sound systems. For many organisations, the challenge is achieving great audio while maintaining the visual appeal of their carefully designed spaces.
Subtle & stylish sound systems
Do you hate the sight of huge speakers and subwoofers cluttering your space? Thankfully, there are plenty of options for those who want powerful audio without compromising the aesthetics of the room. Ceiling speakers from brands like Shure and Bose can sit flush with the ceiling and many vendors offer customisable colour options to help them blend in.
For even more discreet installations, vendors like K-Array offer flexible, low-profile speakers that can be mounted on curved surfaces, hidden in architectural features, or even camouflaged among greenery.
To take this even further, there are even in-plaster speakers like the Sonance IS8T that sit entirely behind your walls or ceiling plaster, delivering quality sound without disrupting your design aesthetic.
With so many creative options available, choosing the right setup can be overwhelming. That’s why we always recommend involving a professional AV consultant early in the process. A quick site visit and a conversation about your vision can help us pinpoint the right solution—without over-engineering the space or blowing the budget.
Pro tips from Dan Morris, MVS Technical Lead
We asked Dan to share some of his pro tips from his many years of AV experience. Below, you’ll find a range of practical advice, covering everything from budget priorities to advanced sound technique, to help you get the best results from your sound system.
1. On a tight budget?
Always prioritise audio. You can run a meeting without video, but not without sound.
2. Higher specs don’t always mean clearer sound
In conference rooms, very high and very low frequencies can actually hurt clarity.
Subwoofers and “audiophile-grade” speakers might seem like the best choice, but they’re often a poor fit for rooms focused on clarity of speech.
- Example 1: Subwoofers can make remote voices sound “boomy” if your system isn’t tuned properly, causing fatigue and comprehension issues.
- Example 2: Ultra-wide frequency response speakers can highlight background noise or compression artifacts, reducing intelligibility.
Again, choosing a speaker which is, on paper, less capable, can give you a better experience (and can save you some money!).
3. Speaker Placement
Speaker placement can affect how people perceive conversations. For most small rooms, place speakers next to the displays. This anchors the audio to the visual of the person speaking and avoids the disorienting “voice of God” effect that can be caused by ceiling speakers.
4. Psychoacoustic techniques
In certain scenarios, we apply psychoacoustic techniques to enhance sound localisation and improve clarity throughout a space. These techniques leverage how the human brain processes audio to create perceptual ‘illusions.’
For example, by introducing carefully designed background sound, we can actually improve conversational clarity. This reduces the distraction of sudden noises and helps create a more comfortable, acoustically balanced environment. You can learn more about pyschoacoustic principles and how we make use of them in AV design here.
Conclusion
Every space is different and so is every organisation’s audio needs. Whether you’re equipping a boardroom, auditorium, or open-plan area, choosing the right sound system is about more than just speakers. It’s about understanding the room, the people using it, and how sound should support the way you work.
If you’re planning a project and want to get the audio right from day one, we’d love to help.
Clearer sound starts with a conversation. Contact us today.