Clear-Com is introducing FreeSpeak Edge, the latest addition to the FreeSpeak family of digital wireless intercom solutions. FreeSpeak Edge is an advanced wireless intercom system, designed to deliver audio quality and enhanced performance in some of the most complex live performance environments. The new system also gives the user more control and customization options, thanks to advanced frequency coordination capabilities and intuitive design features in the system’s transceivers and beltpacks.
According to the release, "Built from the ground up, FreeSpeak Edge is the result of extensive feedback from existing FreeSpeak II power users, incorporating recent advances in the fundamental technology, leading to an all-new 5GHz chipset that features an exclusive radio stack development which has been optimized for intercom. FreeSpeak Edge also leverages state of the art audio-over-IP developments in its architecture, utilizing AES67 connections between the transceivers and the host intercom frame for exceptional flexibility in deployment.”
“FreeSpeak Edge is the future of advanced wireless communication,” says Bob Boster, President, Clear-Com. “While some manufacturers are trying to improve incrementally on existing solutions, we have leapfrogged right to the edge of what is possible with wireless intercom technology today, in readiness for tomorrow’s increasingly demanding requirements. We often hear talk of so-called game-changers, but FreeSpeak Edge is the real deal.”
The 5GHz band is good for large scale communications and can be managed with frequency coordination for reduced interference and offers a wide range of RF channels available for exceptional scalability. Its higher frequencies allow more bandwidth for data, which provides finer control, additional audio channels, more robustness, lower latency and better audio quality.
The announcement continues, “FreeSpeak Edge leverages all the power of 5GHz technology to perform flawlessly in even the most challenging venues and high multipath environments. The system takes advantage of Clear-Com’s exclusive RF technology which uses OFDM to provide a robust transport layer that is immune to most forms of interference. FreeSpeak Edge delivers the clearest 12kHz audio quality with ultra-low latency and is highly scalable with the technology and bandwidth to support over 100 beltpacks and 64 transceivers to accommodate the largest productions. It can be combined seamlessly with FreeSpeak II 1.9GHz and 2.4GHz systems, providing three bandwidths across a single unified communications system.”
FreeSpeak Edge transceivers and beltpacks now offer more customization and control to accommodate increasingly complex communication needs. The beltpack’s ergonomic design includes asymmetrical concave/convex top buttons for identification at a glance and touch operation; eight programmable buttons; rotary controls on both sides; and a master volume control and flashlight on the bottom. With a mic and speaker for headset-free or desktop operation, the beltpack was designed with today’s production needs in mind. Each rugged transceiver supports 10 beltpacks and includes attenuation and external antennas for custom RF zones as well as wall and mic stand mounting options.
FreeSpeak Edge was demonstrated, along with a wide range of Clear-Com’s intercom solutions, at IBC2019. FreeSpeak Edge is scheduled to ship in January 2020.
