What is the best speaker for an office in Chicago?

In an office, audio serves three distinct functions: background music, paging, and sound masking. Each requires different coverage and intelligibility. Open plan areas need even, low level coverage to avoid hotspots and dead zones, while meeting rooms require clear speech for presentations and conferencing. Sound masking is typically delivered through the same ceiling loudspeakers, with a dedicated masking signal or via the paging system.

For open plan offices, SSOUNDS CL6 and CL8 ceiling loudspeakers are ideal. They mount flush in the ceiling and run on a 70/100 V line, allowing many units on a single amplifier channel. For meeting rooms, SSOUNDS LC8.2 and LC16.2 slim column loudspeakers provide tight vertical coverage, reducing reflections off tables and walls. Where higher output is needed, such as in a lobby or cafeteria, SSOUNDS P4, P5, P6T, P10T and P12T install loudspeakers (T models for 70/100 V line) or M series point-source boxes and subwoofers can be used.

Sizing and layout are critical. Ceiling loudspeakers should be spaced to achieve overlapping coverage at ear height, typically with 3 to 6 meters between units depending on ceiling height and desired uniformity. Column loudspeakers should be positioned at the front of the room, aimed at the audience, with the top of the column at or slightly above ear level. SSOUNDS engineers use AI-assisted acoustic modeling to predict coverage and optimise the design before installation.

All loudspeakers connect to SSOUNDS A series networked amplifiers with DSP and Dante. These amplifiers provide zone control, allowing different areas (open plan, meeting rooms, corridors) to have independent volume and source selection. Dante enables networked audio distribution and integration with paging systems. SSOUNDS designs and installs across Chicago, ensuring the system meets the specific needs of each office environment.