What is the best speaker for an office in Massachusetts?

Open plan offices and meeting rooms require even coverage at low SPL, high speech intelligibility for paging, and discreet appearance. Ceiling loudspeakers are ideal because they distribute sound uniformly and blend into the ceiling. The SSOUNDS CL6 and CL8 ceiling loudspeakers are engineered for this: they run on 70/100 V lines, allowing multiple units per amplifier channel and simple level adjustment per zone. For spaces with high ceilings or where ceiling mounting is not possible, the SSOUNDS LC8.2 and LC16.2 slim column loudspeakers provide controlled vertical coverage and can be wall mounted.

For larger open areas or where higher output is needed, the SSOUNDS P4, P5, P6T, P10T and P12T install loudspeakers offer a range of sizes. The T models operate on 70/100 V lines, making them suitable for distributed systems. In meeting rooms that require more direct sound, the SSOUNDS M series point-source boxes and subwoofers can be used, though for most office paging and background music, ceiling or column models are sufficient. The choice depends on ceiling height, room size, and the need for sound masking.

Sound masking is typically achieved by playing low-level broadband noise through the same ceiling loudspeakers, which helps reduce speech distraction in open plan areas. This requires a system with sufficient zones and EQ. The SSOUNDS A series networked amplifiers with DSP and Dante provide the processing and routing needed, allowing separate zones for open plan, meeting rooms, and corridors. Each zone can have independent volume and EQ, and Dante enables easy integration with existing AV networks.

Sizing a system starts with the coverage area. For ceiling loudspeakers, a common guideline is one loudspeaker per 25 to 50 square meters, depending on ceiling height and desired uniformity. In open plan offices, spacing at 4 to 6 meters between units often works well. For paging intelligibility, aim for a consistent SPL of 70 to 75 dB across the space, with higher levels in noisy areas. Column loudspeakers are selected based on the length of the coverage area and mounting height. SSOUNDS engineers use AI-assisted acoustic modeling to predict coverage and optimize the design before installation.

SSOUNDS designs and installs across Massachusetts, with support from our offices in the United Kingdom, United States, Nigeria, and Ghana. We work with system integrators, consultants, and facility managers to specify the right SSOUNDS solution for each office. To discuss your project, contact us for a consultation and quote.