Allen & Heath AH-M-AHM-32-AEC-A Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) Module for AHM-32

Product Overview

The Allen & Heath AH-M-AHM-32-AEC-A is an acoustic echo cancellation module for the AHM-32 audio matrix processor, delivering 12 channels of AEC processing to support teleconference and videoconference deployments in boardrooms, conference rooms, and corporate meeting spaces. The module eliminates the acoustic echo that occurs when a microphone in a room captures the audio being played through the loudspeakers and transmits it back to the far-end caller — a fundamental requirement for any room-based unified communications or collaboration system. Configured via channel inserts within the AHM-32, the module requires no external DSP hardware and operates transparently within the existing system routing.

Product Description

Using a 150ms FIR adaptive filter, the module continuously models the acoustic transfer function between the loudspeaker and microphone in the room, adapting in real time to changes in room conditions, ambient noise levels, and call dynamics. One insert is placed on the far-end input channel — carrying the audio from the remote caller being played through the room’s speakers — and a second insert is placed on the near-end microphone channel that transmits local audio back to the far end. The result is a clean, echo-free microphone feed that communicates naturally with far-end participants without requiring dedicated conferencing DSP hardware separate from the AHM-32.

The module’s supplementary processing — Far-End Automatic Gain Control, Non-Linear Processing (NLP) for residual echo, Background Noise Reduction, Near-End Gating, and Speech-Shaped Comfort Noise — addresses the full range of signal quality challenges present in professional conference room environments. A dedicated sound reinforcement output supports rooms where local voice amplification is required alongside the far-end call, enabling the AEC system to correctly process and separate reinforced speech from the reference signal. This makes the AH-M-AHM-32-AEC-A appropriate for larger meeting rooms, training rooms, and multi-purpose spaces within a corporate AV infrastructure built on the AHM-32 platform.

Key Features

• 12 Channels of Acoustic Echo Cancellation — Supports conference rooms with multiple ceiling or table microphones on the AHM-32
• 150ms FIR Adaptive Filter — Handles reverberant and acoustically complex conference environments with long echo tails
• Far-End Automatic Gain Control — Normalizes inconsistent far-end caller levels for a consistent listening experience
• Non-Linear Processing (NLP) — Targets residual echo below the adaptive filter floor for complete echo removal
• Background Noise Reduction — Attenuates HVAC, projector fan, and ambient room noise from the transmitted signal
• Near-End Gating — Suppresses transmission during near-end silence to reduce background noise on far-end calls
• Speech-Shaped Comfort Noise — Fills silence with appropriate noise floor signal to maintain natural call continuity
• Sound Reinforcement Output — Enables local voice reinforcement alongside AEC processing without interference

Typical Applications

• Corporate boardroom and conference room videoconference AV
• Executive meeting room unified communications integration
• Government and legal conference facility AV infrastructure
• University collaborative learning room and lecture capture systems
• AHM-32-based commercial building audio systems with UC integration
• Multi-room corporate AV with centralized AHM-32 matrix control

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the AHM-32 AEC module and the AHM-64 AEC module?

Both modules provide identical AEC processing with 12 channels of AEC and the same feature set. The AHM-32-AEC-A is designed to install into the AHM-32, while the AHM-64-AEC-A is for the AHM-64. They are not interchangeable between platforms.

How many microphone channels can be processed with 12 channels of AEC?

Each AEC channel processes one microphone feed. In a conference room with 12 ceiling or table microphone capsules routed individually into the AHM-32, all 12 can be processed simultaneously by a single AEC module.

Does the module affect the audio quality for local reinforcement?

No. The sound reinforcement output is a separate path designed to work in conjunction with the AEC processing, allowing local speech reinforcement without introducing echo feedback into the reference signal model.

Can more than one AEC module be installed in an AHM-32?

The number of AEC modules supported per AHM-32 unit depends on available module slots. Consult the AHM-32 documentation or your Allen & Heath dealer for configuration guidance on systems requiring more than 12 AEC channels.

Is this module suitable for Zoom, Teams, or Webex rooms?

Yes. The AEC module processes the audio at the DSP level before it reaches the conferencing codec or software interface, making it compatible with any platform that accepts the AHM-32’s audio output including Zoom Rooms, Microsoft Teams Rooms, and Cisco Webex.

Does installation require an Allen & Heath certified integrator?

While the module itself installs into the AHM-32 module slot, the channel insert routing configuration is performed in the AHM-32 software. For commercial installations, Allen & Heath recommends working with a certified integration partner for correct system configuration.