Open Forum

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Sarah Rosenkrans
Exhibit and Education Assistant
Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Bloomington IN
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Hi Sarah, since this year we are using byod-applications instead of hardware listening devices. I can recommend https://pixilab.se/products, best, Lars

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Lars Wohlers PhD
Founder and Owner of Interpretive Planning, Training, and Visitor Studies Company KON-TIKI
Heiligenthal
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WHOH! Blocks look aweseom!

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Matthew Isble
Exhibit Designer & Founder of MuseumTrade.org
misble@crockerartmuseum.org
Crocker Art Museum
Sacramento CA
misble@crockerartmuseum.org
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2022 05:48 AM
From: Lars Wohlers
Subject: Headphones/Listening Device Recommendations

Hi Sarah, since this year we are using byod-applications instead of hardware listening devices. I can recommend https://pixilab.se/products, best, Lars

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Lars Wohlers PhD
Founder and Owner of Interpretive Planning, Training, and Visitor Studies Company KON-TIKI
Heiligenthal
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Hello Sarah,

I would be happy to help you sort out what is out there.  We (Lantern the company I work for) has a number of audio only and multimedia technology solutions plus Apps and other newer tech options.  I have also been in the mobile tour industry for 20+ years so I can point you in the right direction if we are not the right option for you.  With that said, before you search for the solution, you need to first really address what the need is; What type of content do you want to play, Is it for only one or a few items or for a museum wide experience, who is the audience, what are your budget or operational constraints, how permanent are these content installations,etc.  Please reach out to me ar jared@lanternaudio.com to set up a quick phone chat.

-Jared

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Jared Crellin
Account Director
ListenUp Audio
Atlanta GA
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These days recommend the creation of an audio "tour" triggered via QR codes at the exhibit. This does not mean you should not have a stick or cup as well (accessibility is about alternatives), but the most convenient device for the user is the user's phone which will be specifically optimized for their personal needs. For those who do not have a smartphone, the stick will be there. You don't need to use a tour app to provide audio directly to a user's phone. You can provide it via your own website which allows you to provide a transcript or description and anything else you might wish to go with it. Another clever method I saw recently was to create a "podcast" and link directly to the episodes (Anacostia Museum). This allows users to access your audio via their podcast app of choice no matter where they are. The museum that used this found that off-site visitors were listening to their podcast, expanding their audience.

Stick or cup or headphones depends on specifics. Stick is dead simple and familiar to visitors, but low quality. Good for voice. Cup is also simple though some visitors find it awkward,  better quality audio and isolates outside noise to some degree. Headphones are the most burdensome, but essential when quality matters (music museum for instance). They deliver high-quality stereo and isolation.

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Tod Hopkins
Technical Director
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
Washington DC
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Thanks Tod! This is super helpful. I love the idea of using QR codes to create additional listening stations and to provide transcripts! Making it a podcast is also really intriguing.

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Sarah Rosenkrans
Exhibit and Education Assistant
Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Bloomington IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2022 08:30 AM
From: Tod Hopkins
Subject: Headphones/Listening Device Recommendations

These days recommend the creation of an audio "tour" triggered via QR codes at the exhibit. This does not mean you should not have a stick or cup as well (accessibility is about alternatives), but the most convenient device for the user is the user's phone which will be specifically optimized for their personal needs. For those who do not have a smartphone, the stick will be there. You don't need to use a tour app to provide audio directly to a user's phone. You can provide it via your own website which allows you to provide a transcript or description and anything else you might wish to go with it. Another clever method I saw recently was to create a "podcast" and link directly to the episodes (Anacostia Museum). This allows users to access your audio via their podcast app of choice no matter where they are. The museum that used this found that off-site visitors were listening to their podcast, expanding their audience.

Stick or cup or headphones depends on specifics. Stick is dead simple and familiar to visitors, but low quality. Good for voice. Cup is also simple though some visitors find it awkward,  better quality audio and isolates outside noise to some degree. Headphones are the most burdensome, but essential when quality matters (music museum for instance). They deliver high-quality stereo and isolation.

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Tod Hopkins
Technical Director
Hillmann & Carr Inc.
Washington DC
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Hello!

I have the same question -- hoping to get the conversation going again.

Are there any new recommendations for headphones? In our case, we're looking for standard over-ear headphones that are cheap, easy to clean, and bluetooth compatible. We only need two sets! 

Many thanks!

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Lydia Webster
Curator
Doug Adams Gallery - Graduate Theological Union
Berkeley CA
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