Classroom Audio FAQ
System selection, room coverage, installation, hybrid teaching and OEM/ODM — answered by the Seekika Audio engineering team.
Choosing a Classroom Audio System
How do I choose a soundfield system for a school?
Start with the rooms, not the catalogue. List the typical classroom size, ceiling height and surface materials, then decide how many rooms need simultaneous microphone use and whether hybrid teaching is required. A 60–100 m² standard classroom is usually served by an all-in-one system such as the IR-S2; larger or acoustically difficult rooms need a separate receiver, amplifier and multiple speakers. If you send us a room schedule, we will recommend a configuration and speaker count for each room type.
How many speakers does a classroom need?
For a standard 60–80 m² classroom, two wall-mounted speakers — one either side of the teaching wall or along the side walls — are normally enough for even coverage. Rooms above roughly 100 m², rooms with high ceilings, or long rectangular rooms usually benefit from four speakers or a line-array column. The aim is coverage at ear height across every seat, not maximum volume at the front.
What room size does one system cover?
An all-in-one infrared system such as the IR-S2 is rated for classrooms up to 100 m², depending on ceiling height and layout. Infrared coverage and acoustic coverage are different things: the IR receiver may see the whole room while the speakers do not cover it evenly. For rooms above 100 m² we normally specify an expanded IR sensor and additional speakers rather than pushing a single unit beyond its comfortable range.
Should teachers use a pendant, handheld or headset microphone?
Pendant microphones are the most popular for daily classroom use because they keep both hands free and hold a consistent distance from the mouth. Handheld microphones suit lecturing, assemblies and Q&A. Headsets give the most consistent level but some teachers find them intrusive over a full day. Our IR-630H works as either a pendant or a handheld, which is useful for schools that want one microphone to cover both classroom and hall use.
Is infrared better than RF for classroom audio?
Infrared is usually the better default for classrooms. IR light stays inside the room, so neighbouring classes cannot hear each other, no frequency planning is needed, and there is no interference from Wi-Fi or mobile networks. RF travels through walls and works outdoors, which can be an advantage in halls or open teaching areas — but it requires channel coordination across the campus. For a room-by-room school installation, infrared is simpler to specify, install and maintain.
How many microphones can be used at the same time?
The IR-S2 supports two infrared microphones plus one infrared presenter remote simultaneously. Larger DW-series systems add wired microphone inputs and priority switching between infrared and wired sources. If team teaching or student microphones are part of the brief, tell us the maximum number of simultaneous talkers and we will confirm the receiver and channel configuration before you order.
What is normally included in a classroom audio kit?
A typical kit contains the soundfield main unit or receiver/amplifier, two speakers, one or two microphones, a charging dock or cradle, power supply and installation hardware. Cables and mounting brackets vary by room, so we confirm the bill of materials against your installation plan. Kits can be customised to include a second microphone, an expansion sensor, a presenter remote or a specific speaker colour.
Installation, Coverage & Daily Use
Where should speakers and infrared sensors be mounted?
Speakers are usually mounted at 2.2–2.8 m on the side walls or either side of the teaching wall, angled slightly down and towards the seats. The infrared receiver should have a clear line of sight to the teaching area — ceiling-mounted, central and away from direct sunlight or strong artificial light. Avoid placing the sensor behind a projector screen or above a whiteboard where the teacher’s body can block the signal.
Does infrared work in direct sunlight or through walls?
No. Infrared is blocked by walls and is affected by strong sunlight, which is exactly why it keeps audio inside the room. For rooms with large south-facing windows, position the sensor away from direct sun or use a receiver with a wider sensor array. This room-confined behaviour is a feature in schools: it prevents cross-talk between adjacent classrooms without any channel planning.
How do you stop feedback in a classroom with hard surfaces?
Feedback is a room-and-speaker-placement problem before it is an electronics problem. Keep speakers ahead of the teacher and aimed at the seats, avoid mounting them directly above the microphone, and start with the gain at a comfortable speech level rather than maximum volume. DSP feedback suppression — built into systems such as the IR-S2 and DW-3315 — then removes the remaining narrow-band resonances. If a room still rings, send us a photo of the layout and we will suggest a revised speaker position.
Does the system need acoustic tuning after installation?
The IR-S2 is ready to use after connection, with basic tone controls available for room adjustment. The DW-3315 goes further: its AI processing analyses the room and adapts feedback, noise, echo and gain automatically, so no manual EQ is required. In both cases, a short commissioning check — speech at the back row, volume at typical teaching level, no feedback at the edges — is worth doing before handover.
How long do the microphones run on a charge?
The IR-630H provides up to 8 hours of use from a 2-hour charge. Daily classroom use typically consumes 4–6 hours, so a single overnight charge covers a teaching day; the magnetic charging cradle makes it easy to top up between lessons. Batteries are designed for daily school use, and charging docks keep microphones together so they are less likely to be lost or left uncharged.
Can the system be used with hearing-assistive technology?
A classroom soundfield system improves speech intelligibility for all students, including those with mild hearing loss, and is often specified as part of inclusive-teaching provision. It does not replace a personal FM or Roger system for students with hearing aids. The soundfield system can run alongside personal devices; if you need a specific interface for an assistive-listening installation, contact us with the device details.
Hybrid Teaching & Integration
Can the system connect to a PC for video conferencing?
Yes. The IR-S2 and DW-3315 include a USB digital sound card, so the classroom audio system appears as an audio device on the room PC. Remote students hear the teacher through the pendant microphone, and the room hears the remote participants through the classroom speakers. This avoids the echo and level problems that occur when a laptop microphone is used in a large room.
Can I add classroom audio to an existing amplifier and ceiling speakers?
In many cases, yes. An infrared receiver with line output can feed an existing amplifier, and the amplifier continues to drive the ceiling speakers. We need the amplifier input type, speaker impedance and room size to confirm compatibility. If the existing amplifier is end-of-life, replacing it with an integrated soundfield unit is often simpler and less expensive than adding receivers and controls around it.
Does the system support RS-232 or central control?
The IR-S2 provides an RS-232 control terminal and the DW-3315 includes RS-232 serial control, allowing integration with room controllers and campus management platforms. Typical commands cover power, volume and input selection. Send us the control protocol of your room system and we will confirm the command set before the project is specified.
Can one system serve two adjoining classrooms?
Infrared will not pass through a solid wall, but a shared system can serve two rooms if each room has its own receiver and speakers on a shared amplifier — or, more commonly, each room gets its own compact all-in-one unit. Separate units are easier to operate, cheaper to install and avoid one class’s volume affecting the other. We can quote either approach once we know the wall construction and room layout.
OEM / ODM & Customisation
What can be customised in an OEM/ODM project?
Housing colour and finish, logo and silkscreen, packaging and carton marking, microphone channel plans, kit configuration, cable lengths and accessories. For larger programmes we can develop a new housing or speaker configuration around your project requirements. Software or DSP behaviour is customised less often, but tell us what you need and we will confirm what is feasible.
What is the MOQ for OEM or ODM orders?
MOQ depends on the level of customisation. Logo and packaging changes on standard products typically start at 100–300 units per model. New tooling or a fully custom housing requires higher volumes. Send us the target model, customisation scope and annual volume, and we will reply with a realistic MOQ rather than a generic number.
Can I evaluate samples before placing a bulk order?
Yes. We supply sample units for evaluation, including a recommended classroom configuration and a commissioning checklist. Standard samples usually ship within 5–7 working days; customised samples take longer depending on the change. For school pilots, we can supply one or two rooms first so teachers can use the system for a term before the campus rollout.
What certifications do your classroom audio products carry?
Our export products are built to meet CE and RoHS requirements, with FCC for the US market. Certification scope varies by model and by the power supply supplied with the kit, so we confirm the exact certificate set for your destination before the order. If you need a specific test report or a certificate in your company name, tell us at the quotation stage.
What warranty do you provide?
Classroom audio products carry a standard 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects, with options for extended coverage on project orders. Wear items such as microphone batteries and lanyards are covered for their normal service life. Warranty claims are handled with replacement parts or units and remote technical support; see our shipping and return policy for the RMA process.
Ordering, Delivery & Project Support
What is the lead time for a classroom audio order?
Standard catalogue items usually ship within 15–25 working days after order confirmation and deposit. Mixed kits that combine a main unit, speakers, microphones and charging docks take slightly longer because the bill of materials is picked per room. For project orders we confirm the production slot in the quotation, and we can stage deliveries if your installation is phased by campus or by floor.
Can you supply spares and accessories separately?
Yes. Microphones, batteries, charging docks, power supplies, infrared sensors, speakers and mounting hardware can all be ordered separately, and we recommend that any campus rollout includes a small spares pool — typically one microphone and one dock per 20 rooms. Spares are shipped from the same production runs so colour and revision match the installed equipment.
Do you support the installer during commissioning?
We provide room-specific configuration sheets, recommended speaker and sensor positions, and a commissioning checklist with every project order. Remote support by video call is available during installation for integrators and school AV teams, and for larger programmes we can arrange factory acceptance testing before shipment so the configuration is verified before the units leave.
How do you handle a multi-campus or district rollout?
We start with a room-type survey that groups every room into a small number of standard configurations. Each configuration gets a fixed bill of materials and a one-page installation drawing, which lets local contractors work across sites without re-engineering each room. Deliveries are scheduled against your rollout plan, and units are labelled by room so site distribution is straightforward.
What payment and shipping terms do you offer for export orders?
We quote FOB, CIF or DDP depending on the destination and the experience of the buyer. Typical terms are a deposit on order confirmation with the balance before shipment, and we accept T/T and letter of credit for larger project orders. Shipping documents, packing lists and product certificates are issued with the shipment so customs clearance and school handover are not delayed.
Still have questions?
Send us your room schedule or project brief and our engineers will recommend the right system, speaker layout and accessories.
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