Why can’t remote participants hear us clearly?

All-in-ones use small built-in mics that struggle in larger rooms. Integrated systems use distributed microphone arrays and DSP for consistent pickup.

Can an Owl connect to our existing speakers or ceiling mics?

No. Owl-style devices are closed ecosystems and do not integrate with external hardware.

How long does an integrated install take?

Most installs take a few days, depending on room size and complexity, and can be scheduled to minimize downtime.

Owl vs. Fully Integrated Conference Room Solutions: Which Is Right for You?

Katie Robinette
Oct 13, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Oct 16, 2025

Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Real-World Performance of Plug-and-Play Versus Integrated AV systems in Conference Room Technology

In today’s hybrid work world, the conference room is more than just a meeting space, it’s where collaboration happens, decisions are made, and connections are maintained across time zones. But when it comes to building the right remote conferencing setup, the options can feel overwhelming.

At Pierson, we frequently help clients navigate the question: “Do we go with something simple, like the Owl, or invest in a fully integrated system?”

The answer depends on your space, your goals, and your people. Let’s break down the pros, cons, and considerations for both.

The Owl: The Swiss Army Knife of Conferencing

Pros

The Owl is an all-in-one, plug-and-play solution that includes a 360° camera, microphone array, and speakers in a single unit. Its AI-driven camera automatically pans and zooms to whoever is speaking — a feature many users love for smaller meetings.

Setup is simple: place it on the table, plug in your laptop, connect to Zoom or Teams, and you’re ready to go. For small huddle rooms or flexible collaboration spaces, it’s hard to beat in terms of convenience and affordability.

Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of conferencing — not built for heavy-duty tasks, but a reliable tool that gets the job done when simplicity and portability are priorities.

Cons

Where the Owl shines in ease of use, it can struggle with consistency and scalability:

It’s a BYOD (bring your own device) system, meaning meetings depend on individual laptops and USB connections — which don’t always handshake smoothly.
Cable management can get messy, and switching users mid-meeting can be frustrating.
Audio intelligibility becomes a problem in larger rooms, especially when multiple people speak at once.
It’s not expandable — you can’t integrate ceiling microphones, additional cameras, or external speakers.

In short, the Owl works best for small, informal setups — not for boardrooms or training spaces where reliable, professional-grade performance is critical.

Integrated Systems: Designed for Your Space and Goals

With a touchscreen to control the room, it’s simple to get a meeting going. Multiple participants can display their PC images on one or both displays at the same time using the built-in capabilities of Crestron DM NVX® AV-over-IP technology. The exterior wall signage can be programmed to display room classification by color status. — Modern conference room with touchscreen control panel, dual displays, and Crestron DM NVX® AV-over-IP technology.

An integrated conferencing system is built to fit your exact environment. Every component — cameras, microphones, speakers, touch panels, and displays — is selected and programmed to work seamlessly together.

For example, a 40-foot conference room might use Sennheiser TCC2 ceiling microphone arrays to ensure every voice is captured, while Crestron 1Beyond AI cameras automatically track presenters. Touchscreens can start meetings instantly without needing a laptop, and voice lift ensures even the person at the far end of the table is heard clearly.

Pros

Optimized performance: Each component is chosen for your room’s acoustics and purpose.
Ease of use: One-touch controls mean no more fumbling with cables or logins.
Scalability: Consistent experiences across multiple rooms or office locations.
Customization: Add dual displays, ceiling speakers, or touch interfaces that match your workflow.

Cons

Cost: Because each system is custom-built, hardware and design costs can add up.
Complexity: For teams used to simple plug-and-play setups, the learning curve may feel steeper (though Pierson’s training and support make the transition smooth).

Real Client Scenario: When an Owl Just Isn’t Enough

Recently, a client reached out with a familiar challenge. Their boardroom used a ceiling-mounted Owl system that never quite delivered. USB connections were inconsistent, screen sharing was unreliable, and far-end participants often struggled to hear clearly. When they approached Pierson for guidance, we helped them evaluate their options. Here’s a snapshot of the discussion:

Displays: They wanted multiple screens — a main display, a side wall TV, and potentially two more for remote content. They also wanted the ability to share video and content to all screens simultaneously through Zoom or Teams.
Functionality: The team valued clear video but wanted to improve audio. They had discussed adding voice lift — something the Owl simply can’t do.
Hardware Options:
- Owl System: ~$4,500–$5,000 for two Owl 4+ units with cabling and installation.
- Crestron Soundbar: ~$3,500–$6,000 depending on functionality.
- Fully Integrated Crestron System: ~$15,000–$20,000 for microphones, speakers, cameras, and one-touch control — similar to setups Pierson installs in boardrooms and education spaces.

We invited them to Pierson’s headquarters to A/B test both systems — the Owl and the Crestron. The difference was immediate.

“We prefer the Crestron system much more for ease of use and far-end user experience — it’s simply more robust and reliable.”

Common Questions We Hear

Q: Do we need to bring a laptop for every meeting?

No — integrated systems can start meetings directly from the room’s touchscreen, while Owl systems require a personal laptop every time.

Q: Why can’t people on Zoom hear us clearly?

All-in-one units like the Owl use small built-in microphones that struggle with multiple voices or long rooms. Integrated microphone arrays ensure consistent, clear audio for every participant.

Q: Can the Owl connect to our existing speakers or mics?

Unfortunately, no. The Owl is a closed ecosystem and cannot integrate with external hardware.

Q: What’s the installation time for an integrated system?

Most installs take just a few days, depending on room size and complexity. Pierson coordinates around your schedule to minimize downtime.

Balancing Performance and Simplicity

Not every space needs a $20,000 boardroom system — but many need something more reliable than a single device on the table. For those clients, Pierson often recommends the Crestron UC soundbar with a touch interface — a middle ground that offers all-in-one simplicity with enterprise-grade performance and reliability.

The Takeaway

The best conferencing system isn’t necessarily the most expensive — it’s the one that meets your specific needs, works consistently, and feels effortless to use.

For small huddle rooms, the Owl may be perfectly adequate.
For larger boardrooms or hybrid teams, a fully integrated system ensures every voice and face is seen and heard clearly.
And for those in between, hybrid soundbar solutions strike the perfect balance of cost and quality.

At Pierson, we help clients design conferencing systems that make technology invisible — so meetings can stay focused on what really matters: people and ideas.