While classrooms and conference rooms have ever-increasing demands for sound equipment, permanent, installed sound systems for each of these locations would be cost prohibitive in most instances; however, one or two shared portable systems could provide a solution at an affordable price.
In recent years, portable sound system technology has evolved to provide a serious alternative to installed sound systems. In many cases, a portable system will actually deliver clearer sound than an installed system because all the components are designed to work together as a package. The amplifier, mixer, microphones and speakers are factory-engineered to work together without distortion.
Summer Vyne, team supervisor with CCS Presentation Systems, a leading Scottsdale, AZ provider of PA and sound equipment, says: "I recommend portable systems for outside functions and schools who can only afford one sound system - one that is able to go into their media centre, into their canteen or outside onto the football field. A lot of elementary schools go that route."
The Explorer Pro by Anchor Audio has been designed with this in mind. An easy-to-use, high-quality, durable portable sound system for schools, churches, hotels, corporate, military and other institutions, it forms an ideal alternative to the high cost of permanent installed systems, say the company.
One important factor that reinforces the true cost of ownership is the Explorer Pro's ease-of-use, as the majority of schools and such institutions don't have skilled on-staff sound engineers. "The installed systems become a lot more complex," continues Vyne. "They come with their own sound boards and equalisers. When you get into an installed system, you're going to have a lot more buttons and it can be very intimidating for someone who doesn't know a lot about sound. The portable systems are pretty self-explanatory and have a lot less adjustments on them."
The Explorer Pro provides an economical, flexible, reliable and easy-to-use alternative to installed sound systems, say the company. The system is self-contained, with speakers and components that allow the system to be set up in minutes - there is no installation required. Its compact design also makes the Explorer Pro a popular choice when travelling to multiple venues.
The AC/DC powered Explorer Pro also offers superior sound quality for music and speech over its competitors. The product also has a Voice Over feature and the ability to add an external audio source (such as a CD or MP3 player).
(Claire Beeson)
