SMART announces next generation classroom amplification systems

SMART Technologies announces the SMART Audio 340 and 360 classroom amplification systems. With speakers installed throughout the classroom, the 340 and 360 systems amplify teacher and student voices, reducing teacher vocal strain, and ensuring that everyone can clearly hear what is being said from anywhere in the room. SMART Audio 340 features seamless integration with SMART Notebook collaborative learning software. Touching the SMART Audio icon found in SMART Notebook software brings up an intuitive user interface that enables educators to control up to five separate audio inputs with the touch of a finger. Adjusting the volume is quick and simple, saving valuable class time while maintaining lesson flow. SMART Audio 360 is designed for educators who do not currently use SMART Notebook software. The system includes a wall-mounted control unit that features an LCD screen and control dial that enables users to access and adjust settings. Both the SMART Audio 340 and 360 classroom amplification systems are expected to begin shipping globally in the summer of 2011.

The 340 and 360 systems include a wireless infrared microphone that can be used by either the teacher or the students; four speakers; a control unit that provides a USB interface to the computer; and a room module that combines an amplifier and an infrared sensor. Additional wireless infrared microphones are also available. Both classroom amplification systems integrate with existing school infrastructure, such as paging and intercom systems and room control systems. Paging input is built into the classroom amplification system’s room module, which enables school-wide announcements to be broadcast through the system’s four ceiling- or wall-mounted speakers.

“Many students struggle in the classroom simply because they cannot hear the teacher while teachers often struggle to speak above the normal classroom noise,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “The next generation of SMART Audio offers two alternatives – each providing an easy-to-use solution for educators to improve student attentiveness and engagement and decrease teacher vocal chord strain.”

Common features

Control unit – Connects easily to a computer via a USB port. Users can also connect peripherals, such as DVD, CD and MP3 players and other audio devices, to the control unit.

Room module – Ceiling-mounted room module contains infrared sensors and speaker ports, connecting to the four wall- or ceiling-mounted speakers for even distribution of sound. The room module also includes a paging input to connect to existing school intercom and paging systems, as well as a relay output that acts as a general purpose interface, enabling connectivity to devices such as room control systems.

Convenient controls accessible through the microphone – The teacher can control the microphone volume and auxiliary input volumes using easily accessible buttons on the wireless infrared microphone. The microphone also includes a programmable button that can be used to interact with external devices such as a room control system.

Light, form-factor design – The wireless infrared microphone weighs 3.2 oz. (91 g) and can be worn around the neck using the supplied lanyard

Four speakers – Includes four speakers that can be wall- or ceiling-mounted. Both systems are also available without speakers to enable integration with existing classroom speakers. 

SMART Audio 340 classroom amplification system features
SMART Notebook software integration – Seamless integration with SMART Notebook software enabling one-touch control of up to five audio inputs directly from the SMART Board^™ interactive whiteboard 

SMART Audio 360 classroom amplification system features
Control unit –The SMART Audio 360 classroom amplification system control unit features an LCD screen and control dial to enable educators not using SMART Notebook software to access and adjust classroom amplification system settings 

Pricing and availability

The suggested list price for the SMART Audio 340 classroom amplification system with no speakers included is £799 in the United Kingdom and €875 in the rest of Europe. The suggested list price for the SMART Audio 340 amplification system (ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted) is £899 in the United Kingdom and €999 in the rest of Europe. The suggested list price for the SMART Audio 360 classroom amplification system with no speakers included is £1,049 in the United Kingdom and €1,175 in the rest of Europe. The suggested list price for the SMART Audio 360 amplification system (ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted) is £1,149 in the United Kingdom and €1,299 in the rest of Europe. Prices outside the United Kingdom and Europe vary by country and may include applicable taxes, duties and import costs. Information on suggested list price and special pricing for education, where applicable, is available from local authorized SMART resellers. Both the SMART Audio 340 and 360 classroom amplification systems are expected to begin shipping globally in the summer of 2011. For purchasing information, specifications and a list of SMART authorized resellers, visit smarttech.com.