Retail News

Shure Expands Microflex® Advance™ Array Microphone Portfolio With New MXA710 For Premium Audio Capture

Building on the success of its Microflex Advance line of microphones for AV conferencing, Shure is launching the MXA710 Linear Array Microphone. A major component in Shure’s new conferencing audio ecosystem, it represents the next evolution in Shure array microphone technology. 

This new model is designed for high-quality audio capture in premium AV conferencing environments. Whether it’s under or next to a wall-mounted display, suspended from the ceiling or flush mounted in a table, the low-profile form factor of the MXA710 subtly blends into any meeting room aesthetic without sacrificing audio quality. It is an ideal alternative for spaces where the MXA910 or MXA310 might not be the best option.

Patented Steerable Coverage™ technology captures audio anywhere in the room, featuring four lobes with the 2-foot array, and eight lobes with 4-foot array. 

“No matter where presenters are seated, the MXA710 will be able to automatically capture their speech, minimizing other sounds in the room, to deliver clear, precise audio,” said Jim Schanz, VP, Global Integrated Systems Sales, at Shure. “With the explosive growth in demand for software-based video conferencing solutions such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, this is a tremendous option for providing quality audio conferencing in any type of room.”

With onboard IntelliMix® DSP, the MXA710 provides Automatic Mixing, Acoustic Echo Cancellation, Noise Reduction, and Automatic Gain Control, providing all the processing needed for echo and noise-free audio, ensuring end users experience a high-quality, unifying AV conference experience. Autofocus™ technology fine-tunes each lobe position in real-time, adjusting for meeting participant movements.

Using Designer System Configuration software for deployment, room coverage templates enable quick and easy lobe optimization specifically for wall, ceiling, or table installations.

Available in 2-foot (60cm) or 4-foot (120cm) lengths and three colors (white, black, and aluminum), the MXA710 is compatible with both Dante and AES67 audio networking protocols. It is PoE-powered and features LED status bars at each end of the array with configurable colors and brightness. The smaller form factor is ideal for huddle rooms and smaller meeting spaces that are being equipped with video conferencing to provide greater virtual meeting capacity.

Also being introduced alongside the MXA710 Linear Array is the MXA Network Mute Button, a configurable PoE-powered mute button accessory designed for mute/unmuting of Shure networked systems products, including all MXA Arrays, as well as the IntelliMix® P300 and IntelliMix Room DSPs and ANIUSB-MATRIX Audio Network Interface. It provides simple, programming-free mute functionality for one or many networked devices in a room and is also compatible with third-party control systems via command strings.  

“The MXA710 and MXA Network Mute Button are additional options for integrators as they evaluate the Shure audio ecosystem,” continued Schanz. “The ecosystem – microphones, software, DSP, accessories, speakers – is appealing because it is flexible and highly scalable for an audio system architecture in all room types and ensures end users will experience a high-quality, more unifying AV conference experience.”

MXA710 will be available globally later this year.

QSC QSYS Updated Features in v8.3.1 Firmware

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QSC QSYS Updated Features in v8.3.1 Firmware

Now Including Software-based Dante

Add Dante to your Q-SYS system without additional hardware or I/O cards. Now supported on the Q-SYS 110f, Dante network audio can be added to your system through a simple software update. Skip the screwdriver! 

Note: Q-SYS Designer Software v8.3.1 is required.

Additional Feature Updates

  • NV Series video endpoints: Customizable text-fields for idle screens on a per-device basis and additional color space support.

  • New loudspeaker voicings added: AD-P.HALO integrated pendant-mount loudspeaker system and revised Wideline8 loudspeaker components.

  • General software improvements: New Search and Filtering function in Q-SYS Configurator and optimized firmware updates for systems with many peripherals.

For more information call 815-271-3000 or sales@audiobiz.com

THE NEW SHURE AONIC 50 AND 215 WIRELESS HEADPHONES

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Shure has been making audio products for nearly a hundred years, and in that time they’ve earned the adoration of some of history’s most popular musicians, cementing their status as one of the top names in the business. But while audio industry pros laud the brand’s technical prowess, you don’t often see their name brought up alongside typical consumer brands in discussions about what gear to get. That looks to change with the brand’s newest release, the Shure AONIC wireless headphones. These new models sport slick designs and are packed with the premium audio technology that Shure has honed over the last century, ticking all the right boxes to make them a consumer favorite.

First up are the Shure AONIC 50 wireless noise-cancelling headphones. These over-ear cans promise premium sound, and feature a build quality to match. Audio comes from a pair of full-range 50mm drivers pushed by a dedicated amp, for studio-quality sound. And compatibility with just about every high-end audio codec—aptX HD, Sony’s Hi-Res LDAC, AAC, among others—means that audio fidelity should match a traditional wired connection. The active noise cancelling features three stages of sensitivity, and can be adjusted through the ShurePlus PLAY app. Physical buttons on the side of the right earcup let you control playback, take phone calls, or turn off the active noise cancellation.

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The Shure AONIC 50 headphones feature robust aluminum arms to stand up to constant use on the road, while a padded headband and cushy memory foam ear pads let you listen in comfort all day long—and with a claimed 20-hour battery life, you can do just that. The AONIC 50 are substantial, but a fold-flat design and included carrying case should make them a bit easier to travel with. Shure also includes a standard 3.5mm audio cable, so you can go on listening if your battery ever runs out.

Next up: the Shure AONIC 215 earphones, which feature the brand’s first truly wireless design. Shure has opted for a form factor that’s a little different than most of the truly wireless headphones on the market today, with an over-the-ear design that mimics that of their popular in-ear monitors. This, combined with Shure’s foam ear tips, should give them a secure fit that won’t come loose in even the most extreme situations. Those foam tips also give the AONIC 215 some pretty stellar noise isolation capabilities, blocking up to 37dB of outside noise. As this is a passive technology, it can’t be turned off, but for those times when you want to let the outside world in, Shure’s Environment Mode uses the earphones’ microphones to let you hear ambient noises. Passive noise isolation is a great alternative for users who get bothered by the ear canal pressure that many active noise cancelling headphones can induce.

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One really great perk to the AONIC 215 headphones is that they still ascribe to Shure’s love of modularity. Though they’re designed primarily as a truly wireless device, an optional cable attachment means you can still use them with devices that don’t support wireless audio—like a plane entertainment system—or just revert to standard plugged connection when your batteries die. Battery life anxiety is still one of the most commonly-cited reasons people don’t choose truly wireless earbuds, and the Shure AONIC 215 offers a great remedy.

Both models use Bluetooth 5 for a secure wireless connection up to 30 feet from the audio source, utilize the ShurePlus PLAY app for access to equalizers and environment mode settings, and come covered by a two-year warranty. The Shure AONIC headphones are now in-stock and ready to ship.


For more information or to place an order call 815-271-3000

Denon DN-900R Network SD/USB Audio Recorder with Dante 2 x 2 Interface

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DN-900R

Network SD/USB Audio Recorder with Dante 2 x 2 Interface

Taking its place as Denon Professional’s flagship recording product, the DN-900R Dante/Network SD/USB Recorder is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding installations, combining high-quality audio recording with extensive network capabilities. With a powerful feature set and using the most reliable solid-state recording media, the DN-900R enables AV installation professionals to replace traditional recording devices with superior solid-state hardware in the widest range of applications.

Housed in a compact 1U rack-mountable chassis, the DN-900R offers Dante 2-in/2-out network compatibility as well as recording to both reliable SD card (two slots, 512GB ea.) and USB storage media. The unit can be configured for ‘dual’ simultaneous recording to both formats or ‘relay/cascade’ recording where longer recording times are desirable.

Designed for professional environments, the DN-900R features versatile connectivity including balanced XLR analog audio and AES/EBU digital I/O, as well as unbalanced analog connections and SPDIF. 

For more information or to schedule a demo call 815-271-3000 or email sales@audiobiz.com