Cisco Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Audio Server Maintenance Manual

The telephone from which the user speaks to the conference significantly 
influences sound quality. The following table describes how different types of 
telephones affect sound quality.

The room from which individual participants call during a conference affects 
the sound quality. The following table describes how various room 
environments affect sound quality.

Handset or headset

Excellent. A single user is directly coupled into the 
conference to produce minimal background noise and 
strong input signals.

Inexpensive 
speakerphone

Average. This type of phone works fine when used by a 
single user in a private office or small conference room. 
However, voices are occasionally clipped when 
multiple parties speak.

High quality 
speakerphone

Good. These telephones can handle larger groups in 
one location. Most units have extension microphones 
that obtain better coverage for all speakers.

Audio echo canceler 
device

Excellent. This type produces the finest sound quality 
results for a room, but often at the highest price.

Cellular and car phones

Average. The speech is highly compressed and 
occasionally sounds distorted, compared with other 
devices. Intermittent blackouts can occur as users 
switch cells. Background noise is a frequent problem.

Air phone

Fair. Speech is often clipped and distorted. Background 
noise is typically high. Users should mute whenever 
possible.

Single office

Excellent. Background noise and acoustic echoes are 
minimal or nonexistent. For these reasons, 
speakerphone use should not be a problem.

Open cubicle

Average. Background noise can be significant. For this 
reason, speakerphone use should be discouraged for 
this room setting.

Small conference room

Excellent. These rooms in general have minimal 
background noise and acoustic echo problems. For 
these reasons, speakerphone use should not be a 
problem.