FAQs

Learn more about Dynamic SoundField by Phonak with this helpful list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Simply click the question you have using the list below. If you have a question that is not answered here, please let us know.

What is Dynamic SoundField?
How many rooms per building can use Dynamic SoundField?
Why is one Dynamic SoundField loudspeaker per classroom enough?
Where should the DigiMaster 5000 loudspeaker be placed in the classroom?
Can I use Dynamic SoundField with an interactive whiteboard or TV?
Which wireless transmission technology does Dynamic SoundField use?
How do I combine Dynamic SoundField with Phonak FM systems?
Can Dynamic SoundField handle multiple people speaking in a classroom?
Is Dynamic SoundField an energy-saving system?
What are Dynamic SoundField’s key features?

Dynamic SoundField is a unique soundfield classroom amplification system from Phonak which increases the speech intelligibility in classrooms in an extremely effective way.

The system automatically monitors the background noise level in the classroom and adapts the gain level of the speaker’s voice accordingly and dynamically. This ensures excellent intelligibility of the teacher’s voice, independent of whether the children are quiet or whether there is a high noise level in the classroom. This, in effect, applies the very successful and proven principle of Phonak’s successful Dynamic FM technology to the soundfield world.

Dynamic SoundField systems can be used without restrictions in all classrooms in a school building, no matter how many. Its intelligent digital transmission technology, developed by Phonak, ensures that no channel switching is required, as it is for instance by today’s infrared soundfield systems.

The DigiMaster 5000 loudspeaker features a unique line array of 12 miniature high quality loudspeakers. This line array design emits sound predominantly in the horizontal plane, but with a low vertical spread, which reduces reflections in the classroom. Other soundfield manufacturers offer multiple monopole loudspeakers per classroom, which automatically also add reflections and reduce speech understanding.

A school is free to place the DigiMaster 5000 loudspeaker anywhere in the room it likes, either on its floor stand or mounted on the wall. Ideally, the DigiMaster 5000 should either be placed in the front or in the back of the class.

For ideal placement, it is also recommended to take the following aspects into account:

• Avoid noise sources between the DigiMaster 5000 and students
• Avoid long power cables between the DigiMaster 5000 and the power socket
• Find a place that disturbs neither teacher nor students
  

The DigiMaster 5000 loudspeaker features an audio input socket. With this an external audio source, such as a smartboard, TV or computer can easily be connected.

Phonak has developed a digitally modulated transmission technology for Dynamic SoundField, called DM (Digital Modulation). This works within the worldwide license-free 2.4 GHz band. DM does not require any channel management and is extremely robust against interference from other digital wireless systems such as WLANs or Bluetooth systems.

inspiro by Phonak is the transmitter for both Dynamic SoundField and Phonak FM systems in school. Therefore a teacher using Dynamic SoundField and who has hearing-impaired children wearing Phonak FM systems in the same classroom only needs to wear one inspiro transmitter. This inspiro transmits the teacher’s speech signal to the DigiMaster loudspeaker whilst simultaneously transmitting the same signal to the FM receivers on the children’s ears.

The inspiro transmitter can be operated in three modes:

• as a Dynamic SoundField-only transmitter emitting DM (2.4GHz)
• or a FM transmitter emitting FM (169 – 220MHz)
• or in combined mode, emitting DM and FM in parallel
  

Phonak’s MultiTalker Network, which was successfully introduced in 2008 for FM applications, is also available for Dynamic SoundField. This network enables up to 10 speakers to talk to the class, whether teachers, children or assistants. The MultiTalker Network provides a very clean speech signal because only one microphone is ‘open’ at any one time. It also eliminates the need to carefully select different frequencies for any additional microphones, as is required by existing infrared systems.

Dynamic SoundField fulfills the latest Eco design standards for Europe released in January 2010. When the DigiMaster 5000 is switched off, its power consumption is less than 0.5W. In stand-by mode it is less than 1W. During normal operation in class, the DigiMaster 5000 typically consumes about 3W. This is a mere fraction of the energy used to light a classroom and hence a fraction of the energy cost.

• Unique ‘line source’ loudspeaker unit: 12 high quality loudspeakers in an array
• Fully automated settings: dynamically adapted gain setting
  
• Exclusive built-in FM compatibility: one inspiro serves the DigiMaster 5000 and FM receivers
  
• Intelligent frequency hopping: avoids interference with other digital systems (WLANs, Bluetooth)
  
• Reassuringly future-ready: USB connection allows easy future internet upgrades.