So, our lab manager here wanted to set up a huge TV and audio system for lab tours.

He's already purchased this 60" Samsung LED TV. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2062575&CatId=5990

He needs a netbook of some sort (something small and cheap) to connect to the TV and run presentations from.

He also wants a wireless microphone system and surround-type speaker setup for speaking during the lab tours, and for playing music in the lab from an iPod or something. This is a big thing for him. He really wants it simple for someone to plug in their iPod/the netbook to jam out while working.

Budget is ~$2,000, maybe a little more if needed.

Anyone have some suggestions on how to handle the mic/speakers? He wants something a little nicer than a typical "home theater speaker/receiver setup"...preferably something with an equalizer/mixing board for adjusting feedback from the mics.

I personally own these and love them. http://www.fullcompass.com/product/319477.html?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleps&gclid=CIaTmdie0bMCFYs7MgodfVsAuw

I think they're a good bang for the buck. But I dont know how to handle the speaker/receiver/equalizer/mixer situation. Any help is appreciated!

[Edited on November 15, 2012 at 2:26 PM. Reason : .]

11/15/2012 2:26:11 PM

http://www.zzounds.com/cat--PA-Systems--2746

Pretty much any of these would work. Might want to get something with RCA in or out so you can hook it to the TV. Samson makes some with Ipod docks built in, but if you cant find one you want with it, it's pretty easy to just go get a 1/8 to 1/4 M-M adapter to plug it into a standard input.

11/15/2012 2:58:08 PM

Sounds like this one will be the best bang for the buck, assuming he doesn't need stereo sound from the TV:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SAMXP40IW

iPod dock, wireless mic, mixer, and 40w of power, all for 300 bucks. I assume the lab is not auditorium-size

11/17/2012 10:59:41 AM

He seriously wants something with like 3-4 speakers around the room. Not sure how to integrate MORE speakers...also, bang for buck isnt really an issue. This is one of those situations where he pretty much WANTS to spend the $2,000.

11/17/2012 1:46:05 PM

sounds like tax dollars at work

11/17/2012 4:17:11 PM

Not sure how much this will help you, but in our most recent lab builds we designed and installed, we went with a PoleVault system from Extron.

http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=mlpolevault&s=5

This is more suited for a ceiling-mounted projector install, but probably could be used with a screen instead, as long as you have a drop ceiling in the room. We liked it because this system is damn near invisible in the room. The Flat Field speakers just sit in half a ceiling tile space, and the system can drive up to 4 of them. We really like this setup and will probably use it in many of our lab/small classroom setups in the future.

Also for the computer, we are really only allowed to buy Lenovo, but we have started getting the Lenovo M92 Tiny. It has no optical drive but it is ridiculously small for a desktop PC (smaller than most laptops) and still have an i5 processor.

http://www.partnerinfo.lenovo.com/partners/us/products/downloads/thinkcentre-mseries/ThinkCentre-M92-M92p-Datasheet.pdf

We use a lot of Shure mics in our rooms, so I think you have the right idea there. The unit you linked to gives you the flexibility for both handheld or wireless lav or both, so that should appease any speaker with a particular microphone preference.

I don't know if your local or not, but are you going to need to do the install yourself, or are you going to be able to have a vendor install? I can recommend a couple of local companies that we used for purchasing and soemtimes installs. I have two that I recommend and have done really good stuff and can recommend the best gear for your setup and budget.

11/18/2012 8:43:20 AM