The Nearity AW-A20 is a conference speakermic designed for high-quality audio communication in various meeting environments. It features an 8-unit omnidirectional microphone array and deep learning-based technology to effectively cancel noise, echo, and reverberations, ensuring clear voice pickup within a 5m radius. The built-in high-fidelity speaker supports full-duplex communication, allowing simultaneous speakers to be heard without interruption.
Function Description:
The AW-A20 serves as a central audio hub for conference calls, integrating both microphone and speaker functionalities. Its primary function is to capture and reproduce audio with exceptional clarity, making it suitable for professional meeting settings. The device leverages advanced proprietary algorithms for acoustic echo cancellation, room echo cancellation, noise suppression, and de-reverberation, providing meeting equity even in challenging environments. It supports daisy-chain expansion, allowing up to 5 A20 units to be connected to cover larger rooms, and can also be integrated with the C30R for video conferencing solutions.
Important Technical Specifications:
Microphone Features:
- Microphone Array: 8 MEMS microphones
- Effective Pickup Distance: 5m (16ft)
- Sensitivity: -26dBFS 94dB SPL@1kHz
- SNR: 65dBA@20kHz bandwidth, A-weighted
Speaker Characteristics:
- Rated Output Power: 4Ω/1.5W
- Speaker Frequency Response: 155Hz~16kHz
- Speaker Volume: 80±3dB @1m
- THD: <5%
Audio Characteristics:
- Technologies: Beamforming, Noise suppression, Full-duplex, Reverb and Echo cancellation, Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
Daisy-chain:
- Connection Type: POE UTP RJ45 (CAT6)
- Capacity: Up to 5 units via POE connection
Physical Characteristics:
- Height: 64mm (2.5 inches)
- Width: 120mm (4.7 inches)
- Depth: 120mm (4.7 inches)
- Net Weight: 544g (19.19 oz)
- Color: Galaxy Gray
Power and Connectivity:
- External Power Supply: DC 48V/0.6A or USB 5V/0.5A
- Compatible Operating Systems: Windows/Mac/Linux
- USB Port: USB 2.0 Type-C
Packing List:
- 1x A20 unit
- 1x USB cable (3 meters)
- 1x UTP ethernet Cat6 Cable (3 meters)
- 1x Power adapter
- 1x User manual
Usage Features:
Plug-and-Play Setup:
The A20 offers easy installation with USB and Ethernet connections, making it compatible with leading UC platforms. For single-unit use, no additional power is required, as a single USB port provides both power and data transfer.
Daisy-Chain Expansion:
The device supports daisy-chaining up to 5 units using Cat6 Ethernet cables, enabling coverage for larger meeting rooms. The first A20 in the chain connects to a PC via USB and is powered by an adapter, while subsequent units can be powered via POE from the previous unit. When daisy-chained with a C30R, the C30R connects to the computer via USB, and its network port connects to the first A20's network port. Note that the C30R's microphone is disabled when daisy-chained with A20s to prevent unstable pickup.
Installation Options:
- Desktop Installation: The A20 can be placed on a desk, ideally in the middle between speakers or in the center of the desk.
- Bracket Installation: For enhanced stability, the A20 can be secured to a tabletop using a fixed bracket. This involves attaching a metal plate to the bottom of the A20 with screws, then securing the plate to the table with self-tapping screws.
Indicators:
The device provides clear visual feedback through its LED indicators:
- Solid blue-white: Connected and in use.
- Solid Green: Connected and being called by authenticated (HID interoperability) software.
- Solid Red: Muted.
- Flash blue-white: Firmware Upgrading.
- Solid Yellow: DC power is supplied, but USB connection has failed.
- Mute light enhancement display status:
- Mute key is blue-white, other keys are red: Device is in mute state.
- Mute key is red, other keys are blue-white: Device is in unmute state.
The Nearsync tool, downloadable from the official Nearity website, allows for device management and customization:
- Product Information: Automatically recognizes device information (name, firmware version, serial number) when connected via USB. For daisy-chained units, it displays information for all connected devices, allowing users to switch between them.
- Firmware Upgrade: Supports both online and local firmware updates. Users can select the desired firmware version and initiate the update process.
- Device Setting:
- Mute Light Enhancement: Enables or disables the mute mode indicator's status switch.
- USB Mode: Allows switching between High Speed and Full Speed USB modes. High Speed is standard, while Full Speed addresses compatibility issues with some Android Pads.
- Adjust Audio Effects: Provides independent control over Noise Elimination, Reverberation Elimination, and Echo Elimination levels. Users can choose from five levels: None, Mild, Medium, Severe, and Extreme, to optimize audio performance for different room environments.
Maintenance Features:
General Care:
- Keep the device horizontally.
- Ensure nothing blocks the device on the table.
- Avoid wiping the device directly when cleaning the table.
- Do not cover the microphone holes, as this can affect audio quality.
Connectivity and Power:
- Use the provided USB cable (3m) or a recommended UGREEN brand cable up to 5m. For longer distances, a USB extension cable with a signal amplifier is required to prevent signal instability, recognition issues, or noise.
- Maintain a stable USB connection; avoid frequent plugging/unplugging or applying external force to prevent damage.
- When daisy-chaining multiple devices, ensure DC power supply is connected to the primary unit.
- When an A20 is daisy-chained with a C30R, the A20 is powered by the network cable, eliminating the need for an additional power adapter for the A20.
Environmental Considerations:
- Keep the equipment away from high-temperature environments, heat sources, strong magnetic fields, and strong electric fields.
- Consistent exposure to loud noises can cause hearing loss.
Troubleshooting (FAQ):
- Device not working normally: Check indicator light (should be blue-white), test speaker playback for noise/lag, and verify microphone recording quality using software like Audacity.
- Compatibility: Nearity devices are compatible with most major video conferencing software (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, Tencent Meeting, Webex) due to standard USB connection.
- Coverage: One A20 unit is recommended for a 2-4 meter radius or 6-8 people. Daisy-chaining up to 5 units can cover approximately 50 square meters, accommodating up to 40 people.
- C30R microphone in daisy-chain: The C30R's microphone is intentionally disabled when daisy-chained with A20s to prevent unstable audio pickup due to differing sound pickup effects.
- Echo for online participants: Ensure the conference software uses A20 for both microphone and speaker. The A20's beamforming technology is designed to eliminate acoustic and room echo.
- Continuous distractions for remote participants: Check for ultrasonic, infrared, or other sensors in the conference room and turn them off if present.
- Second A20 in daisy-chain turns yellow/malfunctions: Verify that all A20 units have the same firmware version.
- Second A20 in daisy-chain not activated: Check if the primary A20 is connected to a power source and if the network cable connections are in the correct order (refer to Chapter 2.1.2 for details).
Need help?
To Next Page
General