What's the Difference Between the MXA920 and the MXA910?

What’s New:

• Next-generation array architecture for more natural sound
• Automatic Coverage without lobe configuration
• Enhanced talker localization data for more accurate camera tracking
• Round form factor in white, black, aluminum (all paintable)
• Pole-mount and Gripple-mount accessories for easier installation

What’s The Same:

• IntelliMix DSP with echo cancellation, noise reduction, automatic mixing, and AGC
• Steerable Coverage for applications that need individual audio outputs
• MXA920-S includes all MXA910 features and capabilities

The MXA910 popularized the use of ceiling array microphones in corporate, education, and government meeting environments.  Now that the MXA920 ceiling array mic has replaced the MXA910, some long-time users of the MXA910 are wondering what the differences are between the MXA920 and the MXA910.

What’s New

Next-generation Array Architecture

The MXA920’s DSP algorithm received a substantial tune-up, which offers even better sound than the MXA910.  Improved pickup pattern control – especially at low frequencies -- provides enhanced directionality and more natural speech quality.

Automatic Coverage

The MXA910 used Steerable CoverageTM technology, which allows the installer to configure up to eight pickup lobes (adjustable for narrow, medium, or wide angle) to cover desired areas.

The MXA920 provides Automatic CoverageTM technology.  You define an area, and the MXA920 captures all talkers inside that area while avoiding sounds from outside it; you don’t need to aim any lobes.  Out of the box, the MXA920 is pre-configured with automatic coverage of a 30 by 30 foot (9 by 9 meter) area – ideal for a typical meeting room.

If you prefer to capture talkers only in specific locations – like a U-shaped seating area plus a podium plus a white board, but not the space in between them – you can place up to eight automatic coverage areas in different parts of the room.  Just use Designer software to draw rectangles where the talkers will be.  The MXA920 will intelligently adjust its coverage to pick up all talkers in those areas, while ignoring sounds from outside them.

Choice of Square or Round Models

The MXA920 is available in a new round form factor to meet the architectural needs of today’s meeting spaces.  White, black, and aluminum finishes are available, but all are paintable to match the décor of your room.  Square versions that fit 24 inch and 60 centimeter openings are also available in white and are also paintable.  All versions allow in-ceiling, on-ceiling, pole, and wire rope mounting configurations with new mounting accessories for easier installation.

Minor Differences

The location of the eyelet screws for suspension mounting are in the middle of each side of the square MXA920 instead of near the corners as on the MXA910.  (You can download a CAD drawing for the MXA920 here.)

The square MXA920 is available in white only, but is paintable to match the room color scheme.  The MXA910 was available in white, black, or aluminum colors.

What’s The Same

Steerable Coverage

If your application requires individual audio outputs, the MXA920 lets you turn off Automatic Coverage and use Steerable Coverage to manually aim up to eight lobes independently.  You’ll have eight audio output channels and an automix output – just like an MXA910.  These audio channels can be routed to an external DSP such as the IntelliMix P300 for processing, isolated recording, or other applications.

IntelliMix DSP 

Like the MXA910, the MXA920 includes IntelliMixR DSP with echo cancellation, noise reduction, automatic mixing, automatic gain control, compression, and parametric EQ.  IntelliMix’s track record of producing a pristine mix has won it accolades for delivering clear and natural audio for meeting participants.

MXA920-S Directly Replaces MXA910 

The MXA920W-S and MXA920W-S-60CM are direct replacements for the MXA910W-US and MXA910W-60CM in terms of features, performance, and dimensions.  With Automatic Coverage switched off, they can be substituted for project bids that specify the MXA910.  They even work with MXA910 mounting accessories.

The MXA920 replaces the MXA910 as the premier ceiling array microphone for AV conferencing, camera tracking, voice lift, and sound reinforcement in contemporary meeting spaces. Whether you choose the square or round model, the MXA920 can deliver exceptional meeting room audio with complete flexibility and discreet appearance.