Smart Audio

The SMART Audio classroom amplification system is an infrared amplification system designed for use by teachers working with children who are hard of hearing or have attention deficit disorder (ADD) or related conditions. The system is intended to foster student engagement by evenly distributing sound throughout the classroom, helping students focus on lessons with fewer distractions. SMART Audio comes with a wireless infrared microphone, four wall- or ceiling-mounted speakers, a ceiling-mounted room module that combines an amplifier and infrared sensor, and a control unit that can be connected to a computer via a USB connection. The system can be integrated with SMART Notebook collaborative learning software and SMART Board interactive white board (see separate entry). It also connects to MP3 players, DVD players and other devices to play the audio portion of multimedia material and to a school's existing network infrastructure to broadcast school-wide announcements. Audio for up to five inputs can be adjusted without interruption by accessing the system directly from within the lesson. OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES: Microphone with a headpiece; second infrared microphone for student use; and infrared expansion sensors that increase the microphone coverage for larger classrooms. COMPATIBILITY: IBM PC or compatible and Apple Macintosh computers. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS (for SMART Audio software): Windows XP or later, Pentium III 750 megaHertz (MHz), 512 megabytes (MB) RAM, 50 MB hard drive space, and Java Runtime Environment 1.6; or Mac OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6.x, 1 gigaHertz (GHz) PowerPC G4 or G5 processor, 1 GB RAM, 20 MB hard drive space, and Java Runtime Environment 1.6. POWER: The control unit includes a power supply with wall-mounting bracket with a cord (8 feet long), input 100-240 Volts AC, 50-60 Hertz. The room module and speakers are powered through their connection to the control unit. The microphone uses a 3.7-volt lithium-ion polymer battery. DIMENSIONS (WxHxD): Microphone: 2.13 x 4.25 x 0.75 inches; room module: 8 x 2.5 x 6.25 inches; control unit: 8.25 x 9.5 x 1.88 inches; wall speakers: 5.5 x 7.75 x 5.25 inches; ceiling speakers (diameter x depth) are 9.5 x 6 inches. WEIGHT: 3 ounces (microphone); 1.75 pounds (room module); 1.5 pounds (control unit); 3.75 pounds (wall speakers); 3.19 pounds (ceiling speakers). WARRANTY: Two-year warranty for hardware components; one-year warranty for the battery.