Good audio can make or break any meeting. Whether you are pitching to clients over video, running hybrid team sessions, or delivering virtual training, poor sound quality damages credibility and frustrates everyone involved. You can often get by with audio alone if video fails, but no meeting works when people cannot hear. The right approach does not require big budgets or complex systems. Small improvements can make a big difference in clarity, professionalism, and productivity. In this month’s Ask the Expert, ClearVC shares tips to help you get the best audio out of your video conferencing spaces.

When it comes to meetings, most people think about the visuals first, such as screens, cameras, or slides. However, audio is often the factor that decides whether a meeting is productive or frustrating. If participants cannot hear clearly, attention drops, misunderstandings happen, and meetings drag on longer than necessary. The good news is that great audio does not have to be complicated or expensive. Here are some essential considerations and practical steps we recommend to improve sound quality in any meeting space.

1. Start with the Room Itself

Even the best microphones struggle in the wrong environment. Hard surfaces like glass walls, tile floors, and bare ceilings reflect sound and create echo. Adding soft furnishings, acoustic panels, or rugs can reduce reverb significantly. You do not have to fully refurbish the room. A few well-placed panels or curtains can make a dramatic improvement.

2. Choose the Right Microphones

Not all microphones are created equal. For smaller rooms, a high-quality speakerphone or tabletop microphone with built-in echo cancellation is often enough. For larger spaces or boardrooms, ceiling-mounted microphones that automatically focus on whoever is speaking can deliver consistent clarity. The key is to match the microphone to your room size and layout.

3. Avoid Relying Solely on Laptop Mics

This is a common issue. A group gathered around a laptop often sounds distant or muffled. Laptop microphones are designed for a single person sitting directly in front of the screen. Even a simple USB conference microphone is a big improvement and helps everyone hear and be heard clearly.

4. Mind Your Speakers and Placement

Good microphones need equally good speakers. Make sure speakers are positioned so everyone can hear comfortably without excessive volume, which can lead to echo or feedback. In larger rooms, distributed ceiling speakers help maintain even sound levels across the space.

5. Integrate with Your Videoconferencing Platform

Whether you use Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet, your audio hardware should integrate seamlessly with your platform. This ensures that volume controls, mute functions, and echo cancellation work reliably. Certified devices are tested for compatibility and can save time and frustration.

6. Train Your Team

Even the best system can be let down by user habits. Show everyone how to use the microphones and controls properly. Simple practices like muting when not speaking or facing the microphone can improve clarity for everyone.

7. Plan for Growth

Think ahead as your business evolves or hybrid working increases. Choose scalable solutions that can expand without needing to replace everything later.

Great audio is an investment in professionalism and efficiency. If you would like tailored advice or help designing an AV setup that works reliably, ClearVC is here to help.