Transitioning to Commercial Applications

Creating an incredibly sturdy solution is only part of the process, however. “Commercial audio is a discipline in itself,” says Plumb. “Customers expect audio signals to be available on the network where they can be routed and processed between audio-over-IP endpoints and controlled and configured remotely. Crestron decided to do it right and not only develop video products with audio support but create an entire portfolio of comprehensive, flexible, and scalable network audio products that make deploying and managing large-scale audio systems as simple as possible.”

And since Crestron already had an excellent reputation in creating large-scale, mission-critical AV-over-IP projects, the move to audio-only solutions was a logical next step — driven in part by dealer feedback. “We are well known for our control systems and intelligently controlled AV content distribution hardware,” says Plumb. “Crestron video and control are already a big part of large-scale commercial AV systems, and extending our range of solutions to cover audio applications was a natural evolution that customers regularly asked for.”

And, of course, the move to network audio from the old cabling of the past was a huge benefit, especially for commercial deployments. “Network-based audio systems allow for the best scalability and the most flexibility in routing, processing, and distribution,” says Plumb. “Whether it's the sound system for a single lobby or a centrally controlled campus audio system, an ecosystem such as this one can make powerful audio systems a reality.” There’s a long and growing list of potential use cases, says Plumb: “Retail, hospitality, corporate campuses, higher education, training centers, conference rooms, bars, restaurants, and fitness centers all can benefit from Crestron commercial audio systems. DM NAX technology audio systems are 100% scalable and can therefore cover a wide range of applications while allowing for future growth.”

There’s another plus: “These systems can be remotely managed and monitored, allowing support teams to troubleshoot and solve problems without putting a truck on the road.”

The DM NAX Audio-over-IP Portfolio

Audio Edge Devices: Endpoints for any Application

Crestron rolled out its DM NAX® Audio Edge Devices at the 2024 ISE trade show in Barcelona. The concept is all about connecting whatever audio source lives at the “edge” of the network for a specific application. To meet the challenge, Crestron introduced four flexible devices to provide that solution for any enterprise, educational, hospitality, or retail installation.

The entire line is compatible across DM NVX® AV-over-IP, DM NAX Audio-over-IP, AES67, and Dante® audio networking platforms, and they were all built for simple and hassle-free installations. They’re available in two form factors — wall plate and surface mount — and since each device is powered via PoE, local AC isn’t needed.

There’s much more info on all the features and functions of each device in this article, but here’s a quick look at them all:

The DM NAX Wall Plate with Bluetooth® Communications and Unbalanced Analog Audio Input and Output: The DM-NAX-BTIO-1G — If a client needs to give a user easy access to personal audio playback, here’s the answer. For example, think of a dance class where the instructor pairs a device for playing their audio over the room system along with their microphone signal or a presentation solution for conference rooms where meeting attendees need the ability to share audio over the system.

The DM NAX Wall Plate with XLR Input and Balanced Analog Audio Output: The DM-NAX-2XLRI-1G — If you’ve ever seen a situation where a user needed to connect professional mic or line-level signals on XLR cables to a network, you know how useful this solution can be. XLR connectivity means condenser or phantom-powered mics, mixing boards, and other audio sources have a line right into the DM NAX Audio-over-IP network, making it a perfect option for conference rooms, meeting halls, classrooms, or a DJ booth at a restaurant or nightclub.

The DM NAX Converter with Balanced Analog Audio Input and Output: The DM-NAX-AUD-IO — This device is essentially an analog to DM NAX and DM NAX to analog bridge, which allows the user to send an audio stream to a traditional analog amplifier. There’s no need to add expensive amplifiers to a network-connected version when one can simply add this small box to their system. Additionally, if a client has legacy audio equipment (cassette decks, CD players, turntables, and so on), this device is the perfect way to get that audio into the DM NAX technology ecosystem.

The DM NAX Converter with USB and Unbalanced Analog Audio Input and Output: The DM-NAX-AUD-USB — Here’s an edge device that offers all the convenience and flexibility of USB connectivity, allowing the user to get PC or mobile device audio onto a DM NAX® technology network. It’s an excellent option for conference rooms, training facilities, lecture halls, classrooms, and a world of other use cases.

Preamplifiers and Amplifiers: Tailor the Sound — and Stream Directly

The heart of any audio system is the gear that takes the sound, processes it, and sends it to the speaker — and in the modern era of streaming solutions, an amplifier or preamp that arrives with those services built right in can deliver the source in the same box. Crestron offers multiple amp and preamp solutions — with and without built-in media streaming service capabilities — that are flexible enough to tackle any commercial project.

The Eight-Zone Streaming Amp: The DM-NAX-8ZSA — The DM-NAX-8ZSA is our flagship streaming amplifier that features eight individual output zones. It has eight onboard media streaming service players (one for each zone) and supports a ton of great streaming services. With a robust 150W available for each zone (and up to 500W in bridge mode), it has enough power to cover a wide range of applications, and the device can be remotely controlled and configured. Other features include a built-in DSP and best-in-class noise and distortion specifications. It’s an excellent choice for retail and hospitality applications, restaurants, bars, doctor’s offices, and more.

The Four-Zone Preamplifier: The DM-NAX-4ZSP — This device is an audio source as well, offering the same music streaming and DSP as the DM-NAX-8ZSA in a four-zone preamp model built to feed existing amplifiers (whether those amps are uncontrolled, high impedance, or high-powered). It offers a wide array of features, including a library of chimes built into the unit. Chimes can be assigned to different zones to help identify them so that alerts specific to an area can be recognized immediately, and if a chime is triggered, the audio will duck or pause.

The Four-Zone Streaming Amp: The DM-NAX-4ZSA-50 — Packed with the same set of features as its eight-zone sibling, the new DM-NAX-4ZSA-50 provides four amplified stereo speaker outputs and one analog line-level stereo output for a total of five zones, or “4+1.” This smaller, 1RU half-rack width amp — at a lower price point than the DM-NAX-8ZSA — is perfect for smaller projects such as restaurants, bars, retail shops, fitness centers, small medical offices, and so on. It’s also great as an expansion amplifier for a larger existing system. Simply put, it’s the perfect device for situations where an eight-zone amp would be overkill.

The 16-Input Encoder: The DM-NAX-16AIN — The Crestron DM-NAX-16AIN is an audio-over-IP encoder that provides 16 local stereo audio inputs to a DM NAX Crestron multiroom audio distribution network. This workhorse has all the audio connectivity you’d need to bring nearly any audio source onto the network for wide distribution. Instead of a central AVR, 16AIN acts as the onramp, and once the source signals are on the network as DM NAX Audio-over-IP streams, they can be picked up by any DM NAX technology endpoint on the network. The unique architecture of this solution allows for much better scalability and flexibility than competing solutions, all in a handy 1RU enclosure.

The 300W Powerhouse: The DM-NAX-AMP-X300 — The Crestron DM-NAX-AMP-X300 is a high-performance, space-saving (just 1RU tall and half a rack wide), energy-efficient, professional-grade audio-over-IP amplifier that supports DM NAX technology, Dante audio networking, AES67, and local inputs, all with full DSP capabilities. This device can be configured as a four-channel amp (up to 75W per channel) or bridged from one to three channels at various other wattages, giving it the flexibility commercial deployments demand.

The Audio Return Processor: The DM-NAX-XSP — This Surround Sound decoding DM NAX® digital signal processor can bridge streaming TVs to Crestron’s DM NAX multi-room audio distribution system. As TVs become audio sources, this device can add another layer of flexibility to any project. It includes 8K HDMI® connectivity inputs and outputs, ARC/eARC inputs, and a DSP decoder. It allows the user to send multi-channel audio into an AV receiver, integrating the capabilities of DM NAX Audio-over-IP Technology and DM NVX® AV-over-IP technology.