Comparison Document
Peavey/Biamp using ClearOne AEC

Overall:
The difference between units boils down to how quickly the system converges to the room and the acoustics in that room.  The faster the convergence, the better the AEC and the more natural sounding the conversation is.

Both competitors bought the AEC algorithms at a specific point in time (approximately Summer of 2002).  They DO NOT receive upgrades to the versions. If bugs are found (which is rare), we provide bug fixes only. Any issues they encounter in the field are their responsibility, not ClearOne's.

XAP is superior over both Peavey & Biamp by its integrated design.  XAP is a tightly integrated system that was specifically designed for audio conferencing.  The critical components are the mixer, the AEC, gating and Noise Cancellation.  Instantaneous communication between these systems is critical.  XAP communicates seamlessly between these components because they were designed as a complete system.  The Peavey & Biamp (P & B) use the "ClearOne AEC" as more of a "bolt-on" that was added after the fact.  They use our technology independently rather than as part of the total system.  Communication between components suffers since each use different protocols.  Translation of components adds delay in the processing, which negatively affects how P & B are able to converge the room.  This manifests itself in ducking, syllables being cut off and their noise cancellers adding color to the audio.

Conferencing requires dynamic systems that can handle ever-changing conditions.  All signals have to be processed independently, yet efficiently. XAP's integrated design facilitates instantaneous communication, where P & B have to work harder.  None of this was designed for their DSP originally.  Therefore, adding AEC will reduce the available processing they have.  This takes away from their flexibility (which could be needed in difficult rooms).

Biamp Specific:

The Audia Flex is not shipping yet, so all of their claims are theoretical.
Biamp is based in Oregon and the entire company employs roughly 50-60 people.  Should a field technician be required to go on-site, they have a limited number from which to choose.  We, on the other hand, have nearly 200 employees and region FEs to assist our renowned Tech Support.  Biamp licensed our algorithms.  We are not producing cards for them.  They have designed and built the cards.  The AEC is their 1st generation vs. XAP, which is on its 5th gen.

It is important to note with Biamp that they are pushing price/performance and flexibility (inputs and outputs can be configured as needed for your specific project needs).  However, as mentioned above, adding the AEC to the processing of the DSP takes away power that would otherwise be used in other parts of the configuration.  While inputs and output can be added as needed, the very flexibility they tout suffers when adding the AEC.

If they try to use Cobra-net, the latency added into the system renders the AEC virtually unusable. (Having multiple rooms connected via Cobra-net AND doing echo-cancellation may be unlikely, however.  But if it can be done on paper, someone will try it someday.)

Peavey Specific:

Peavey does their own gating, noise canceling and echo references.  It is important to know that they do this INDEPENDENTLY from the AEC cards produced by ClearOne.  In doing do, the points regarding communication between systems mentioned above are also true here.  The performance of the Media Matrix with the add-on AEC cards will be similar to that seen in the AP800 family.  In other words, while technically speaking the AEC algorithm is newer, the degradation will cause the overall performance to be similar to the AP.

ClearOne Advantages:

We have been focused on audio conferencing since the beginning of Gentner some 22+ years ago.  We are now on our 5th generation of highly advanced Automatic Echo Cancellation systems.  We have greatly enhanced the algorithms of our AEC since the version sold to P& B and continue to make huge advances.  

We have the history and knowledgebase unequalled by any other vendor offering the type of product.  Our technical support in Salt Lake City consistently ranks high in customer satisfaction.  Our field support has 4 CTS-D certified FEs located regionally throughout the US to support dealers and end users in real life situations.  These experts not only know ClearOne products, but how those products can be designed and programmed in any environment.

The XAP family of products was designed as a unified, tightly integrated system that instantaneously processes signals as a single device.