Speakerphone
A speakerphone is a hands-free communication device that consists of multi-directional microphones, a speaker, a noise and echo cancellation system, and external interfaces. It is used for organizing group audio and video conferences. A speakerphone makes it much easier to manage communication via mobile phones and computers. It can also act as a voice command transmitter.
Speakerphones have been used by many companies for years. However, they have become most popular in video conferencing systems. This growth is due to the emergence and widespread adoption of software and hardware solutions for audio and video conferencing.
The Main Characteristics and Features of a Speakerphone
Speakers
The more speakers a device has, the wider the hearing range and the greater the distance at which it can clearly capture the voices of video conference participants. Video conferencing speakerphones usually have one or several built-in speakers.
Microphones
A speakerphone with a built-in microphone is suitable for video calls and video broadcasts that involve a dialogue between two people (video broadcasting typically works on a “one speaks – others listen” principle).
For group video conferences with several participants, or for virtual meetings with hundreds of attendees (divided into those who are simply watching, those communicating via self hosted chat and audio comments, and those who can see, hear, and speak), the number of microphones should be as high as possible.
Noise and Echo Cancellation System
This feature ensures clean and clear sound. In conferences with multiple participants, the system eliminates echoes and background noise that could interfere with communication.
Recording Calls on an SD Card
Enables saving important information for future use.
Full Duplex
Ensures proper operation of the speakerphone by allowing data transmission and reception to occur simultaneously during a video conference.
Volume Control
Buttons allow users to adjust volume, mute microphones, or turn sound on/off on a particular speakerphone, or across an entire chain of linked devices. Microphone muting is used to hide parts of a conversation or to prevent overloading the channel.
The greater the number of speakers, microphones, and echo cancellers a speakerphone has, the more expensive it is.
Most speakerphones can be combined into a single system to cover larger conference rooms. This is done by connecting all speakerphones in series, forming a so-called chain, which expands the communication area.
Empower your video conferencing experience with TrueConf!
FAQ
Can I use any standard Bluetooth speakerphone for my video meetings, or do I need specialized equipment?
You can use most standard USB or Bluetooth speakerphones with modern video conferencing software, as they act as standard audio input and output devices. However, for the best experience, TrueConf is fully optimized to work seamlessly with professional conference speakerphones, ensuring that advanced features like hardware-level mute controls and full-duplex audio function perfectly during your calls.
How do speakerphones prevent echo and background noise in a large, empty conference room?
Professional speakerphones are equipped with advanced digital signal processing (DSP) that actively filters out room reverberation and ambient sounds. When paired with TrueConf’s own built-in software-based acoustic echo cancellation and smart noise suppression, the combination guarantees crystal-clear audio, even in highly reflective or noisy meeting environments.
Is it possible to connect multiple speakerphones together to cover a very large boardroom?
Yes, many professional speakerphones feature a daisy-chain capability, allowing you to connect two or more devices in series to expand the microphone pickup range across a massive room. TrueConf Server easily recognizes these multi-mic setups as a single unified audio source, ensuring that all participants in a large space are heard clearly without audio overlap or latency issues.
Why is “full duplex” audio so important for video conferencing speakerphones?
Full duplex allows participants to speak and listen at the exact same time without the audio cutting out, mimicking a natural face-to-face conversation. TrueConf leverages full-duplex hardware capabilities to ensure smooth, uninterrupted dialogue, preventing the frustrating “walkie-talkie” effect where only one person can speak at a time.
Can a speakerphone record the meeting locally to an SD card without using the host computer?
Some advanced speakerphones include an SD card slot specifically for local, standalone audio recording, which is useful for quick backups. However, for comprehensive video and audio archiving, TrueConf provides robust server-side recording capabilities that capture the entire multipoint conference directly to your secure, on-premises infrastructure.
How do wireless speakerphones connect to my devices for a video call?
Wireless speakerphones typically connect via Bluetooth or a dedicated USB dongle, pairing instantly with your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. TrueConf automatically detects these wireless audio devices in its settings, allowing you to join high-quality video conferences without dealing with messy cables across the conference table.
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