Few names in professional audio have the history and recognition of Shure. From the unmistakable chrome microphones associated with early rock and roll to sophisticated microphone arrays in modern corporate boardrooms, its products reflect a century of changing communication needs.

Founded in Chicago in 1925, Shure began as a supplier of radio components. Today its microphones and audio systems are used in live entertainment, broadcasting, recording, education and enterprise collaboration. Here is how that evolution connects to the conference rooms we design today.

1925–1939: From radio components to a microphone icon

Sidney N. Shure founded the Shure Radio Company in 1925. In 1932, the company introduced its Model 44 condenser microphone. Its 1939 Unidyne Model 55 brought a pioneering single-element unidirectional moving-coil design to market. By favoring sound from the front and rejecting more sound from other directions, directional microphones helped address feedback and unwanted noise—challenges still central to AV design.

From the stage to the studio: the SM57 and SM58

The SM57 debuted in 1965 and the SM58 followed in 1966. Their durability and recognizable sound helped make them enduring tools for instrument pickup, vocals and professional sound reinforcement. The classic Model 55 silhouette also became closely associated with performers such as Elvis Presley. These products helped establish the expectation that a professional microphone should deliver reliable sound in demanding real-world settings.

Moving into corporate conferencing

Professional audio needs expanded beyond stages and studios. In 1983 Shure introduced its Automatic Microphone System, followed by the microprocessor-controlled AMS880 in 1984. The Microflex family, introduced in 1993, addressed conferencing and presentation applications with microphones designed for meeting environments. For integrators, the focus increasingly included intelligibility, unobtrusive placement and ease of operation.

Networked audio and intelligent ceiling arrays

Shure's MXA910 ceiling array, introduced in 2016, marked an important chapter in networked conference audio. Later systems such as the MXA920 brought Automatic Coverage technology to room designs. In 2026, Shure expanded the family with the AI-enabled MXA925, enhanced MXA901 capabilities, and a next-generation MXA320 tabletop array. These advances reflect a shift toward flexible pickup, integrated processing, and remotely manageable enterprise audio.

Modern Shure Microphones: Tabletop and Ceiling Solutions (2026)

Today's Microflex Advance family offers options for different room sizes, installation requirements and meeting styles. The part numbers below identify specific manufacturer configurations; other colors and regional sizes may be available. Always verify the final SKU for the project before ordering.

Tabletop and table-integrated microphones

Ceiling microphones

Product information is current as of September 2026. Manufacturer model families and specific finishes, sizes, and regional SKUs can change. See Shure's Microflex Advance portfolio for current specifications.

Why microphone history matters in today's boardroom

Remote participants judge a meeting largely by what they can hear. Even a room with excellent cameras and displays can be difficult to use if speech is muffled, reverberant or inconsistent. Modern conference room design brings microphones together with loudspeakers, digital signal processing, control and collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms. Shure systems can also be integrated into larger professional AV environments, including Q-SYS-based designs where appropriate.

Professional audio integration in Los Angeles

At AV Planners, we design, engineer, install, and commission audiovisual systems for corporate offices, executive boardrooms, and collaboration spaces throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Choosing between tabletop microphones, wireless solutions and ceiling arrays starts with how people actually use the room—not simply with a product specification.

Explore our commercial AV integration services in Los Angeles, or contact AV Planners to discuss your conference room audio needs.

Historical reference: Shure's company history. Evaluate product capabilities against current manufacturer documentation and each project's requirements.