Latin America. Powersoft introduced AnyMATE and its first implementation, SpeakerMATE, marking a significant step towards smarter and more connected installed audio systems.
The new technologies are designed to add identification, monitoring and data exchange capabilities directly to passive speakers, without the need for additional network cabling or external power.
For years, the professional AV industry has focused system intelligence on active devices and IP-based infrastructure, while passive speakers have largely remained unplugged terminals. AnyMATE fixes this imbalance by enabling communication across existing speaker lines, allowing the amplifier to act as a communication hub for both audio and data.
AnyMATE is a communication technology based on a proprietary protocol and a patent-pending physical layer implementation. Instead of relying on Ethernet or wireless connections, AnyMATE exchanges data directly through an amplifier's output channels. This makes it possible to identify and monitor downstream devices without deploying a separate control network, adapting to the reality of installed audio environments, which typically include long cable extensions, Hi-Z architectures, and legacy infrastructure.
Developed in Powersoft's R+D department for more than a decade, AnyMATE has been perfected through extensive internal testing before its market launch. Importantly, the technology is not limited to new installations. When amplifiers have sufficient current sensing and processing capabilities, AnyMATE can be integrated into existing systems by adding compatible downstream hardware, making it ideal for modernization projects in industries such as transportation, retail, and large venues.
SpeakerMATE represents the first practical application of the AnyMATE platform. This compact hardware module establishes communication between amplifiers and passive speakers, and can be deployed as an external add-on near the speaker or integrated directly by speaker manufacturers. For modernization applications, SpeakerMATE connects parallel to the speaker line using quick-connect connectors and does not require a dedicated power supply, simplifying installation and minimizing downtime.
Once installed, SpeakerMATE devices are automatically detected and configured using Powersoft's Armonía+ software. Additional data can be written to the device in advance, including information about the make and model of the speaker, allowing the system to suggest suitable presets and helping to reduce configuration errors during commissioning.
In addition to identification, SpeakerMATE incorporates a temperature sensor, an accelerometer and a microphone, with the option to interact with an external sensor via a GPI port. These features enable new levels of monitoring and diagnostics for passive loudspeakers, including temperature and tilt measurement, on-demand sound pressure level testing, and access to detailed metadata such as installation notes, serial numbers, and lifecycle history.
By integrating with cloud services such as MyPowersoft, which is accessed through MyUniverso, SpeakerMATE allows for remote monitoring of system status and anomalies. This capability facilitates fault detection, preventative maintenance, and reduced site visits, which is especially valuable for large, distributed systems such as shopping malls, airports, stadiums, movie theaters, and theme parks.
Powersoft presents AnyMATE as a platform, rather than a single product, with potential for future expansion and licensing to third-party manufacturers. By integrating intelligence into existing infrastructure, AnyMATE and SpeakerMATE can transform passive speakers from silent terminals to active participants within the networked AV environment.
