Clear-Com's FreeSpeak Edge is Now Shipping

Clear-Com announces FreeSpeak Edge is now shipping, following extensive field tests and final engineering testing to ensure the most robust and capable product possible. The latest addition to the FreeSpeak family of digital wireless intercom solutions, FreeSpeak Edge is the most advanced wireless intercom system, the company says, delivering the best audio quality and enhanced performance in some of the most exacting live performance environments. The system gives users more control and configuration options, thanks to advanced frequency coordination capabilities and intuitive design features in the system's transceivers and beltpacks.

Built from the ground up, FreeSpeak Edge is the result of extensive feedback from existing FreeSpeak II power users and exhaustive field tests across applications including sports stadiums, live events, military installations, and broadcast facilities. Final testing efforts resulted in an impressive IP54 rating for the beltpack, ensuring that it could withstand harsh production environments, the company says.

FreeSpeak Edge is built using state-of-the-art audio-over-IP AES67 connectivity, an advanced 5GHz chipset with a proprietary radio stack development optimized for intercom, and exclusive RF technology from Clear-Com based on OFDM.

The 5GHz band is well suited for large scale communications, as it can be managed with frequency coordination for reduced interference and offers the widest range of RF channels available. During a field test at a professional sports stadium, it was found that the RF reflections considerably extended the range of the beltpacks. The band's higher frequencies mean there is more bandwidth for data which allows for finer control, additional audio channels, lower latency, and better audio quality. FreeSpeak Edge can be combined seamlessly with FreeSpeak II 1.9GHz and 2.4GHz systems, supporting three wireless bands across a single unified communications system.

More information about the 5GHz band is available here: RF Guide.