Let’s face it: higher ed budgets are getting tighter while expectations for AV performance keep rising. Faculty want clear audio for hybrid teaching. Students expect flawless lecture capture. Administrators want scalable solutions. And you? You’re staring down a spreadsheet, wondering how to stretch $5K across five classrooms and still make it sound decent.
You’re not alone.
In my work, one truth stays constant: bad audio kills good content. And if you think you can’t afford quality sound on a shoestring budget, I’m here to tell you—you can. You just have to be strategic.
While flashy displays and slick cameras often grab attention, poor audio is the #1 complaint in hybrid or recorded lectures. Students will tolerate a grainy picture, but if they can’t hear the lecture clearly, learning stalls. Prioritize intelligibility—always.
Rethink Your Approach, Not Just Your Gear
Before reaching for your credit card, take stock:
Room size and acoustics: Is it a noisy HVAC-heavy room? Echoey? That matters.
Use case: Are you supporting a solo lecturer or student discussions?
Current equipment: Can any mics, DSPs, or amps be repurposed or reconfigured?
You may not need more gear—you might just need to optimize what you’ve got.
Design Smart, Not Just Cheap
Zone your classrooms.
Don’t try to mic the whole room with one omnidirectional mic. Use directional mics at specific teaching positions.
Don’t skip DSP.
Even basic processing (like noise gating, compression, and feedback suppression) can elevate $100 mics to professional levels.
Keep cabling clean.
Messy wiring = signal noise = poor audio. Don’t forget to budget for good cabling and terminations.
Use audio-over-USB interfaces
Look into microphone systems that have built in audio DSP, they do exist.
Partner Creatively
Tap into grant money: CARES/HEERF may be gone, but accessibility and student success initiatives often have untapped funds.
Build cross-departmental solutions: Collaborate with IT or disability services—they may have parallel needs and funding.
Buy in phases: Focus on high-traffic rooms first. Scale thoughtfully.
Go to InfoComm—Yes, Even on a Tight Budget
I know—it might sound ironic to talk about traveling to a trade show in an article about saving money. But InfoComm is one of the smartest investments a budget-conscious AV team can make.
Here’s why:
Get Hands-On with Affordable Gear: You can demo and compare dozens of audio solutions—from gooseneck mics to beamforming arrays—side by side. Seeing (and hearing) the difference in real-time helps you avoid budget-wasting guesswork.
Ask the Engineers: At InfoComm, you’re not just getting a spec sheet—you’re talking to the people who built the products. Bring your campus challenges and get real advice without a hard sales pitch.
Find Hidden Gems: You’ll discover lesser-known brands with rock-solid performance and pricing built for higher ed. Some of my favorite budget-friendly finds have come from booths tucked away in the back.
Build Your People Network: Other higher ed AV pros are facing the same budget limitations. InfoComm is where we trade war stories and share solutions.
Education Sessions Pay Off: Many training sessions are targeted toward real-world AV design and cost-effective installations—sometimes even offering CTS renewal units.
Bottom line? A few hundred dollars for a badge and a couple nights in a hotel can save you thousands in bad purchases and design mistakes
Final Thought: Cheap Does Not Always Equal Junk
It’s not about buying the cheapest gear—it’s about smart, intentional system design. You’re not just installing microphones; you’re enabling engagement, comprehension, and equity. And that mission doesn’t disappear just because your budget does.
So the next time someone says “We can’t afford better audio,” I want you to smile, roll up your sleeves, maybe grab a badge to InfoComm, and prove them wrong.”