Cisco Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Audio Server Maintenance Manual

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Cisco MeetingServer 5.1 System Manager’s Guide   
 
                  177 
 
Cisco Systems 
 
March 2003 
Telephone Type 
Quality Expectations and Issues 
Air Phone 
Fair. Often suffers from clipped and distorted speech. 
Background noise is typically quite high. User should use muting 
whenever possible. 
Room Setting 
An important factor in improving sound quality for a conference is the room 
setting of each of the individual participants. Table 0-2 summarizes how 
various room environments affect sound quality. 
Table 0-2  Sound Quality for Different Room Settings 
Room Setting 
Quality Expectations and Issues 
Single Office 
Excellent. Background noise should be nonexistent, and acoustic 
echoes should be minimal. Speakerphone use should not be a 
problem. 
Open Cubicle 
Average. Background noise can be significant at times. 
Speakerphone use should be discouraged for this room setting. 
Small Conference Room 
Excellent. These rooms generally have little background noise 
and minimal acoustic echo problems. Speakerphone use should 
not be a problem. 
Large Conference Room 
Average. Should not pose a problem, but a speakerphone is 
generally required. With these units, groups of 10 to 15 can be 
handled comfortably, although extension microphones are 
recommended. Check the room for hard surfaces and reflective 
walls, which produce acoustic echo. 
Executive Board Room 
Average. This type of room presents a challenge to audio quality. 
Board rooms are usually large with highly reflective surfaces. 
Because acoustic echo problems can be expected, it is highly 
recommended that you use audio systems (microphones and 
speakers) and a high-performance echo canceler. 
Auditorium 
Average. Problems similar to those of the board room, with the 
additional problem of increased ambient noise. The use of high-
performance audio equipment is essential. 
Lab or Switch Room 
Fair. This environment is the most difficult for sound quality, due 
to a high level of ambient noise. Muting of the lines in this room 
type is highly recommended.