Sony MAS-A100 Ceiling Beamforming Microphone

Name: Sony MAS-A100 Ceiling Beamforming Microphone
Brand: Sony
SKU: sony-mas-a100
Availability: InStock

Overview

The Sony MAS-A100 is a ceiling-mounted beamforming microphone for classrooms, lecture halls and training rooms. Fixed to the ceiling, it works without lapel clips or handhelds and runs two outputs at once: a main channel for speech reinforcement and a recording channel for lecture capture. It connects over a single Cat5e cable using PoE and supports Dante, suiting education and training spaces across Doha and Qatar.

A ceiling microphone that frees the presenter from wearing or holding audio

The Sony MAS-A100 is a beamforming microphone fixed to the ceiling rather than clipped to a collar or held in a hand. A teacher or lecturer can move between the board, the lab bench and the back of the room without re-attaching equipment, and nothing needs to be touched to start or end a session. In busy classrooms where staff change rooms several times a day, that removes a common source of friction.

Two channels: reinforcement in the room, recording beyond it

The unit provides two separate outputs. The main channel feeds speech reinforcement through the room loudspeakers. The recording channel uses a wider capture range and is tuned for intelligibility, so it suits lecture capture and remote students. Both run at the same time, which lets an institution deliver a hybrid session from one device. Speech reinforcement needs a loudspeaker system, and the recording channel needs a lecture capture system to be useful. Pre-testing is recommended before relying on it for remote learning.

Audio processing built for a real room

Beamforming concentrates pick-up on the speaker, while the feedback reducer suppresses howling when microphone and loudspeakers share a space. Stationary noise from projectors and air conditioning is detected and reduced by up to 24dB, and feedback reduction reaches up to 32dB. Automatic gain control keeps the volume steady as the presenter moves, and a fixed five-band equaliser with a range of ±12dB lets the installer adjust tone. Noise reduction, feedback reduction, capture range and noise gate are all configurable. The listed frequency response is 100 to 10,000 Hz, excluding signal processing.

Network, power and integration

Power and audio travel over one Cat5e UTP or higher cable through an RJ45 connector, using Power over Ethernet Class 0. The unit draws a maximum of 13W, with a typical figure of 9W at 25°C. It outputs two Dante channels at 48 kHz and 24-bit over Dante and AES67, so it links with third-party Dante mixers, converters and other devices. External control is possible through its API, which helps when it must join an existing control system.

Setup, management and mounting

Auto-calibration sends a test signal through the loudspeakers and calculates the processing parameters automatically. It is required only at first installation, which keeps set-up time and ongoing maintenance low. The free MASM-1 software handles initial settings, monitoring and firmware management for multiple microphones across several locations over the local network. The main unit weighs about 1 kg, or about 1.3 kg with the ceiling bracket, and measures roughly 240 mm across and 50 mm high. The box includes the ceiling bracket, a template and safety regulation documents. A built-in status LED lets both the instructor and the technician see the unit state.

Where it fits in Qatar

Lecture halls on a university campus in Education City: a central ceiling position supports a presenter who walks the front and aisles, while the recording channel feeds lecture capture for students who attend later.
Classrooms in a private school in Al Wakrah: teachers who move around a classroom keep a steady voice level without a wireless lapel, and staff can manage settings across rooms from one network.
Training rooms in a government authority in Msheireb: facilitators running workshops can speak from anywhere in the room, and meetings that link with teams abroad can use the recording channel for remote participants.

Planning before you request a quote

The operating range is 0 to 40°C with 20 to 80% humidity, without condensation. Outdoor temperatures in Qatar's summer can exceed 45°C, so the unit should stay in a cooled indoor space and the ceiling void should remain within range. SmartRooms Qatar offers a free site survey to check ceiling height, room dimensions, loudspeaker layout and cable routes before installation. Send us your room plan and network details, and request a quote. Our team usually replies with a quotation within one working day.

Highlights

Ceiling-mounted beamforming microphone with hands-free, contactless operation
Two outputs: main channel for reinforcement, separate recording channel
Single Cat5e or higher cable carries power and audio via PoE
Dante output at 48 kHz and 24-bit, with AES67 interface
Noise reduction up to 24dB and feedback reduction up to 32dB
Free MASM-1 software manages multiple microphones centrally

Room fit

Tell us the room size and platform (Teams, Zoom or BYOD) and we confirm the right combination with your quotation.

Estimated timeline

Quotation within 1 working day · delivery timing depends on stock availability, and we confirm it with your quotation.

Specifications

24 specifications · Source: manufacturer · checked Oct 2026

Networking1

Cable requirements: Cat5e UTP or higher

Audio8

Frequency response: 100-10,000 Hz *
Sensitivity: 0dBFS/Pa at 1kHz*
Maximum SPL: 94dBSPL
Signal to noise ratio: 75dB (A-weighted, 1kHz, 1Pa) *
Latency: Under 24ms (Not including Dante latency)
Self noise: 19dBSPL (A-weighted) *
Dynamic range: 75dB *
Dante digital output: Channel count: 2 channels(Main, Rec) with Dante Sampling rate: 48 kHz Bit depth: 24 Audio interface: Dante, AES67

Digital Signal Processing3

Audio technologies: Beamforming Feedback reducer Automatic gain control Noise reduction Noise gate Automatic calibration with test signal Equaliser API for external control system
Performance: Maximum noise reduction: 24dB Maximum feedback reduction: 32dB
Configuration: Mic gain (output volume): -60dB ~ +12dB Capture range: Narrow / standard / wide Feedback reduction: Low/ middle / high Noise reduction: Low / middle / high Noise gate: Off / low / middle / high Equaliser: Fixed 5-band, ±12dB (1dB Step)

General11

Connector type: RJ45
Power requirements: Power over Ethernet (PoE), Class 0
Power consumption: 13W, maximum 9W@25°C, typical
Weight: Approx. 1kg (2lb 3.2oz) (main unit only) Approx. 1.3kg (2lb 14oz) (with ceiling bracket)
Dimensions: Φ: Approx. 240 mm (9 1/2 inch) Height: Approx. 50 mm (2 inch)
Control browser (MAS-A100): Google Chrome
Operating temperature range: 0-40°C
Operating humidity: 20% to 80% (no condensation allowed)
Storage temperature: -20 °С to +60 °С (-4 °F to 140 °F)
Storage humidity: 20% to 80% (no condensation allowed)
Supplied accessories: Ceiling bracket (1) Safety regulations (3) Template (1)

Notes1

*: Not including signal processing

Downloads

3 files from the manufacturer

PDF Datasheets MAS-A100_spec_sheet_en_GB.pdf 502 KB PDF Manuals & guides Operating Instructions_50182041M.pdf 883 KB PDF Manuals & guides System Integration Guide_50200951M.pdf 3.8 MB

Questions about MAS-A100

What is the Sony MAS-A100 used for?

It is a ceiling-mounted beamforming microphone for classrooms, lecture theatres and training rooms where the speaker needs to move freely. Once fixed to the ceiling, it picks up the presenter without a lapel clip or handheld unit, sends reinforced sound through the room loudspeakers, and feeds a separate recording channel for lecture capture. It suits teachers and lecturers who need hands-free audio in every session.

Do I need loudspeakers and a recording system with the MAS-A100?

Yes, for full use. Speech reinforcement requires a loudspeaker system, and calibration uses those loudspeakers to capture a test signal. The recording channel needs a lecture capture system to record lessons. Because the loudspeakers are part of the setup, plan their layout at the same time as the microphone position, and include both in your quotation request.

How is the MAS-A100 powered and cabled?

It uses one RJ45 connection with Power over Ethernet, Class 0, so power and audio share a single cable. The data calls for Cat5e UTP or higher. The unit draws a maximum of 13W, with a typical figure of 9W at 25°C. Because power comes through the network cable, the ceiling position does not need its own mains outlet. Confirm the PoE switch or injector capacity with your installer.

Does the MAS-A100 work with Dante audio systems?

Yes. The MAS-A100 supports Dante and provides two channels, Main and Rec, at 48 kHz with 24-bit depth over Dante and AES67. It is designed to link with third-party Dante mixers, converters and other devices through a single cable, which makes it practical to add to a room that already runs a Dante-based audio network. Send us your mixer model so we can check compatibility before you order.

How many MAS-A100 units does a lecture hall in Education City need?

The number depends on room dimensions, ceiling layout and speaker positions, so it cannot be set from the product specification alone. The manufacturer provides an online configurator that calculates microphone numbers from room dimensions. Send SmartRooms Qatar your floor plan and ceiling height, and we will include a recommended layout in your quotation after a free site survey.

Can the MAS-A100 handle Qatar's summer heat?

The operating range is 0 to 40°C with 20 to 80% humidity, without condensation. Outdoor temperatures in Qatar can exceed 45°C in summer, so the unit must stay in a cooled indoor space and the ceiling void should remain within the same range. Storage is rated from -20°C to +60°C. Confirm the room's cooling and ceiling conditions during the site survey before you order.

Will air conditioning and projector fans disturb the recording?

The MAS-A100 detects stationary background noise from projectors and air conditioning and reduces it automatically, with noise reduction of up to 24dB. Noise reduction and the noise gate can each be set to low, middle or high. In a Doha classroom where air conditioning runs for much of the year, steady background hum is a common problem, and the unit is designed to reduce it. Pre-test the recording channel in the actual room before live use.

Can one administrator manage several rooms with the MAS-A100?

Yes. The free MASM-1 Microphone Array System Manager supports initial settings, monitoring, operations and firmware management. It manages multiple microphones across multiple locations centrally over the local network. A university with lecture halls spread across a campus, or a school group with several buildings, can keep settings consistent from one place. The unit also supports API control for linking with an existing control system.

Does the MAS-A100 need recalibrating after installation?

Auto-calibration runs during initial installation. The unit generates a test signal, captures it through the loudspeakers, and calculates the speech reinforcement parameters automatically. Calibration is required only at first installation, which reduces set-up time and ongoing maintenance. If the loudspeakers or room layout change significantly later, ask the installer how the settings should be reviewed.

What comes in the box, and what do I need for mounting?

The package includes a ceiling bracket, a mounting template and safety regulation documents. The main unit weighs about 1 kg, or about 1.3 kg with the bracket, and measures about 240 mm across and 50 mm high. Plan a ceiling position that is central to the teaching area, with a cable route to the network switch. SmartRooms Qatar offers a free site survey before installation, followed by professional installation.

Is the MAS-A100 suitable for remote learning with students abroad?

It has a dedicated recording channel with a wider capture range and optimal intelligibility, which suits lecture capture and remote learning. Remote learning use requires a lecture capture system, and pre-testing is recommended before you rely on it. For a Qatar university running sessions with teams or students abroad, arrange a test in the actual room before the first live session.

Can a school buy several MAS-A100 units on a purchase order?

Yes. SmartRooms Qatar accepts purchase orders, LPOs and government tender orders, with payment by bank transfer, cheque or purchase order. A school fitting out several classrooms can send one room plan per classroom with cabling details and loudspeaker layout, and receive a single quotation covering all units. Delivery covers all eight municipalities of Qatar.