Shure MXA920PRODUCT REVIEW
Shure MXA920
At its core, the Shure MXA920W is an ambitious and flexible microphone array. The key word is “array,” because the MXA920 is an alternative to having multiple microphones. Its eight lobes can cover a space automatically, or be fine-tuned to pick up specific seating configurations. Because the MXA920W-S is the size and shape of a ceiling tile, it is also less conspicuous than multiple pendant or puck microphones. On the other hand, ceiling layouts or larger rooms may require more than one MXA920, which could become cost-prohibitive, while smaller rooms could potentially be covered by all-in-one video bar solutions. Ultimately the Shure MXA920W excels in use cases that benefit from its form factor and customizable coverage.
Key Specifications
- Certifications Dante
- Power PoE
- USB Mode Yes, with Dante adapter
- Automatic Coverage Yes
- Built-in DSP Yes (microphone only)
- Built-in Microphones 8 steerable lobes
- Built-in Speakers No
Price range
At $4,732, the Shure MXA920W array is indeed the price of multiple microphones and even a DSP. “The biggest competitor to the MXA is the Sennheiser TeamConnect,” Profound Technologies co-founder Brett Fisher said. “Outside of that, you would be talking about multiple ceiling mics that are independent, rather than a single unit.” Brett also noted improvements in the directionality of microphones built into conferencing bars, and our less technical panelists immediately compared the price point to all-in-one video conferencing bars. “You can get a complete solution for that price point, in a bar,” business development executive Ryan Malloy said. “This is for a larger space, more of a custom space, but it begs the question: Why, unless it’s a niche space, would you go for this instead of pucks on the table? … At about five grand, it seems like a tough sell to me.” For marketing manager Darla Zang, the Logitech Rally Bar ($3799.05 at Chester Springs AV) came to mind, underscoring the comparison to a video bar solution.
Build Quality
Our panel was impressed with the overall build quality and aesthetics of the MXA920. “I like that it’s subtle,” Darla said. “It’s not something you notice in the room. … it’s integrated seamlessly into the design of the room.” “The form factor blends in well with HVAC or any of the other typical things you’d see in the ceiling, so it doesn’t stand out,” Brett said. “As far as an incognito microphone experience, that form factor is important.” “It’s nice-looking. I think it’s clean. I like the green (indicator) light on it,” Ryan added.
Sound Quality and User Experience
Clear audio and an intuitive experience were the consensus from Profound team members. “I thought the overall (voice) quality sounded really good,” Ryan said. “There were also moments where I couldn’t tell where voices were coming from. I could still hear the words in high quality. General audio quality I would say is very high.” “The sound quality was good,” Darla said. “There weren’t any audio issues.” “The user experience is as simple as it gets. You’ve got the LED and it works when it needs to work,” Brett said.
Installation Experience
“Physical install, it’s very easy to pop into a 2×2 tile, which is very common,” Brett said. “It’s just a PoE connection, so wiring is a breeze,” he added. Brett also praised the flexibility of coverage available with the Shure MXA920. “Because it goes in the ceiling tiles, you don’t always get perfect positioning above the center of the table, but that’s the advantage of having directional lobes,” Brett said. “You can point the eight lobes directly at each seat, so if you have an odd-shaped table or the spacing between your seats needs a combination, you can dial it right in for what you need. You can control each of the lobes independently. Let’s say the person at the head of the table is an executive and tends to speak quietly – you can adjust for that with your auto gain control.
Industry Standards
The Shure MXA920 supports the majority of relevant industry standards. Dante is supported over a network or with an Audinate USB adapter, allowing custom systems to easily leverage the MXA920’s microphone array. Standard Cat5e or Cat6 cabling provides data as well as PoE power to the MXA920, meaning many existing conference rooms will already have the correct infrastructure in place for this product. An onboard DSP means that the MXA920 can be added to a system without worrying about echoing or feedback loops. Finally, the LED status indicator conforms to an industry standard where green means the microphones are active, and red means mute.
Standout Features
Overall audio quality and the form factor were the two biggest positives for the MXA920, according to our team. “The general quality of the audio stood out, and the presentation is nice,” Ryan said. For Darla, the way the MXA920 blended into its surroundings was a strong point. “I love the multi-state LED,” Brett said, “and I love that it’s a drop-in, 2×2 tile size, and that Shure has numerous mounting solutions.”
Reasons to buy
“You have to have the right use case for it,” Ryan said. “For a really long, 20-plus person table, this makes sense.” Darla cited the quality of the product, adding, “and it’s in the ceiling, so it’s not cluttering the table. It’s a more ideal look for the conference room, as opposed to having mics on the table.” “The Shure brand name has always been quality, across all of their products,” Brett said. “Someone would choose this if they wanted it to be as seamless as possible, and flexible with whatever the conference system in the room is and may be in the future. … If they’re going to continue upgrading other elements of the room, this is something that could stay consistent for a long period of time.”
Reasons to reconsider
“It’s got competition in an 8-10 seat room – it has to contend with conference bars and their microphone arrays,” Brett said. “If the room seats fewer than 8 people, the price might not make sense.” “This is more of a boutique item,” Ryan said, mentioning that budget would be an obstacle for smaller organizations or small deployments. “Maybe if their budget is just not there, it wouldn’t be a priority,” Darla said. “If it is a smaller space, a couple (table mics) could do the trick.”
Conclusion
The Shure MXA920 made an excellent first impression with our panel thanks to its streamlined aesthetics. Audio performance was equally impressive, with Profound employees describing clear sound and a well-rounded handling of vocals. From an installation perspective, the Shure MXA920 offers flexibility in placement and steerable coverage, allowing it to be used in almost any conferencing deployment. For small and medium sized rooms, however, our team couldn’t help but compare the price point of the MXA920 to an all-in-one video bar solution. Still, many applications can benefit from the advanced coverage, feature set, and tuning options on the MXA920. See how we rated the Shure MXA 920 overall: