TUALATIN, Ore., May 18, 2026 — Decades of research confirm that classrooms are more engaging and effective environments when students can hear their teachers clearly. To support teachers in their efforts to give a voice to every student in the classroom, Lightspeed, a leading provider of educational audio solutions that enable equal access to learning, has released three updates designed to enhance the use of educational audio.
Redcat and Topcat systems feature modern designs that simplify classroom use. Additionally, the company’s wireless media connectors can now pair directly with Bluetooth devices.
“Our mission is to remove as much interference as possible from teacher-student communication in the classroom,” said David Solomon, CEO of Lightspeed. “This includes continually updating our systems and accessories to improve usability and functionality. The more seamless the user experience with our solutions, the more users can focus on teaching and learning.”
The media connector’s new Bluetooth connectivity enables reliable wireless audio streaming from phones and tablets, making it easy to integrate multimedia audio sources in the classroom. Teachers have the freedom to instantly share audio content with crystal-clear, room-filling sound.
The Redcat all-in-one speaker system is ready to use right out of the box and provides even sound distribution and high speech intelligibility throughout the classroom. Teachers can place the portable system on a table, mount it on the wall, or use an optional battery for easy portability.
Topcat’s all-in-one integrated design and wireless audio capabilities make installation easy and cost-effective in both new and existing classrooms. The system’s flush-mount design visually blends into acoustic ceilings for a clean, clean look. Hybrid speakers combine flat panel speakers for even audio distribution with cone speakers for full-range multimedia audio, ensuring the teacher’s voice is heard everywhere in the classroom.
“Every classroom is an inherently busy environment, which means students are constantly dealing with background noise and competing stimuli,” said Sean Fagan, senior vice president of products at Lightspeed. “With audio instruction solutions, students no longer have to struggle to hear the teacher, so everyone stays focused on learning and the classroom becomes a more inclusive and engaging environment.”
Lightspeed will be showcasing these latest educational audio solutions at booth #1945 at ISTELive 2026, where attendees can experience the latest Redcat, Topcat, and Media Connectors first-hand.
About lightspeed
Lightspeed is a 100% employee-owned company with a mission to help every student hear every word. For more than 30 years, the company has provided powerful educational audio solutions to K-12 educational institutions around the world.
Lightspeed’s educational audio systems provide exceptional sound clarity at low volumes while supporting teachers with integrated safety features. The company’s lightweight microphones include built-in integration with key safety and communication systems for clear sound, emergency alerts, and two-way calling capabilities. From crystal-clear instruction to campus-wide communication, we help create learning spaces where all students and teachers can listen, learn, and stay safe.
Passionate about our culture of service, Lightspeed remains dedicated to improving the lives of educators and students through our products, research, and partnerships. For more information, please visit Lightspeed.
