ListenWIFI vs. Auri™: Choosing the Right Assistive Listening Solution
Selecting the right assistive listening solution is essential for providing exceptional audio experience to listeners. Listen Technologies and Ampetronic offer two powerful systems designed to meet different needs: ListenWIFI and Auri™. While both solutions deliver high-quality sound to listeners, they serve distinct purposes and are perfect for different business needs.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between ListenWIFI and Auri™, highlighting their features, use cases, and how to determine which solution is the best fit for your organization.
What is ListenWIFI?
ListenWIFI is an innovative Wi-Fi streaming solution that allows people to access audio for assistive or personal listening using their smartphones or LWR-1050 receivers.
The new ListenWIFI features new hardware, including LWR-1050 receivers, new LA-490 beacons, new 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-channel servers, and enhanced software that simplifies system configuration and management.
Key Features of ListenWIFI
- Gives Guests a Choice: Let guests choose to use their smartphone or borrow the LWR-150 receiver.
- Low-Latency Performance: No lip-sync issues. Low latency means the audio does not lag.
- Budget Friendly: Find a ListenWIFI system to fit your needs and your budget.
- Compliant: Globally compliant with accessibility legislation including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Unlimited Channels: Stackable servers mean unlimited channels for future-proof solutions.
- Multi-language Support: ListenWIFI is ideal for multilingual environments, offering simultaneous translation and audio broadcasting in multiple languages.
- T-Coil Friendly: Neck loops connect the audio directly to hearing aids or cochlear implants using either their smartphones or the LWR-1050 receiver.
What is Auri™?
In partnership with Ampetronic, Auri™ is the first Auracast™ broadcast audio-based solution for assistive listening. Auri™ is the first complete solution that lets venues and end users adopt Auracast™ broadcast audio technology for assistive listening in public spaces.
Key Features of Auri™
- Future-Proof Technology: Auri™ leverages the emerging Auracast™ broadcast ecosystem, making it an investment in next-generation accessibility.
- Low-Latency Performance: Ensures clear, synchronized audio with minimal delay.
- Auracast™ Broadcast Audio: Transmits audio over Bluetooth® LE (Low Energy) to an unlimited number of compatible devices.
- Multi-language Support: Auri™ is ideal for multilingual environments, offering simultaneous translation and audio broadcasting in multiple languages.
- T-Coil Friendly: Neck loops connect the audio directly to hearing aids or cochlear implants using either their Auracast™ enabled device or Auri™ RX1 receiver.
- Supports Multiple Users: Auri™ supports multiple listeners at once, providing high-quality audio to many people simultaneously. This makes it ideal for large groups or venues.
When to Use ListenWIFI vs. Auri™
Both ListenWIFI and Auri™ serve the purpose of improving audio accessibility, but each shines in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you choose between the two solutions:
Use ListenWIFI When:
- You have a large venue or complex layout. If you’re in a large church, conference hall, or stadium with a pre-existing Wi-Fi network, ListenWIFI is an ideal solution. Its scalability and use of Wi-Fi networks make it easy to cover large areas.
- You have multiple TVs or audio sources in a venue. In sports bars, gyms, or casinos with several TVs, ListenWIFI allows patrons to choose the audio stream they want to hear directly on their smartphones, creating a personalized experience.
- You want to offer multilingual support. ListenWIFI can broadcast multiple language interpretations in conference centers or museums, enabling attendees to select their preferred language through the app.
- You need discreet audio assistance. In theaters or performing arts venues, ListenWIFI provides assistive listening for patrons with hearing loss. Attendees can access clear, amplified sound privately through their own devices.
- You want to enhance guest experiences. In hotels or resorts, ListenWIFI can offer audio tours, entertainment, or venue-specific information directly to guests’ smartphones, improving their overall experience.
Use Auri™ When:
- You need a future-ready audio system. In corporate offices and public venues, Auri™ utilizes Auracast™ broadcast audio technology, providing a scalable solution that seamlessly supports new devices as Auracast™-compatible consumer products become more widely available and adopted.
- You want seamless simplicity. Unlike ListenWIFI, which requires configuring and managing a Wi-Fi network, Auri™ offers a streamlined setup with fewer technical requirements, making it easier to deploy and maintain.
- You prefer wireless flexibility over network dependency. ListenWIFI relies on the venue’s existing Wi-Fi infrastructure, which may have limitations in coverage or stability. Auri™, on the other hand, broadcasts over Auracast™ broadcast audio, providing a reliable, cable-free experience that isn’t affected by network performance.
- You need low-latency performance for live events. Auri™ provides clear, synchronized audio with minimal delay, making it perfect for theaters, lecture halls, and performances where real-time sound is essential.
- You want a scalable, long-term investment. With the growing availability and adoption of Auracast™-enabled consumer devices, Auri™ ensures your venue is ready to take advantage of future advancements in Bluetooth® audio technology.
Which is Right for Your Needs?
Choosing between ListenWIFI and Auri™ depends on your venue’s infrastructure, audience needs, and long-term goals. ListenWIFI is ideal for larger venues or locations with a pre-existing Wi-Fi network. It excels in spaces like stadiums, conference halls, or sports bars where multiple audio sources need to be streamed simultaneously. With ListenWIFI, patrons can access audio through their smartphones, making it perfect for multilingual support, assistive listening, or offering personalized entertainment options. Its scalability makes it well-suited for covering large areas and accommodating multiple users.
On the other hand, Auri™ offers a future-ready, simplified solution using Auracast™ broadcast audio technology. It’s ideal for venues seeking streamlined simplicity without the complexity of managing Wi-Fi networks. Auri™ is perfect for corporate offices, theaters, and public spaces where direct Auracast™ broadcast audio is used to connect hearing aids, Auracast™ compatible devices, or Auri™ receivers, providing a seamless and inclusive experience. Because it operates independently of Wi-Fi networks, Auri™ ensures consistent audio quality without concerns about network congestion or interference. If you’re looking for a streamlined, future-proof system, Auri™ is the right choice.
Conclusion
Both solutions offer excellent assistive listening, but the choice comes down to the specific requirements of your venue and the type of experience you want to create. Ready to enhance accessibility in your venue? Contact us today to find the perfect solution for your needs.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. The Auracast™ word mark and logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Any use of such marks by Listen Technologies Corporation and Ampetronic is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.