Production intercom and IFB: wired, wireless, IP and cloud
EAR Professional Audio Video, in Tempe, Arizona, designs, supplies, installs and supports production intercom and IFB (talent return audio) systems for broadcasters, government, schools, churches and production companies. We have sold and supported intercom for more than 35 years, for more than 230 customers, and have helped them move from wired party-line to wireless, IP-based and cloud intercom without losing what already works.
From party-line to the cloud
Crew communications have changed more in the last ten years than in the thirty before. In EAR’s own sales, wired party-line made up about half of all intercom in the 1990s and almost none today; wireless led from 2010 to 2020; and since 2021 IP-based and networked systems are the largest share, with cloud IFB and return audio now part of remote and REMI productions.
| Years | What crews used | Typical systems EAR delivered |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s–1990s | Wired party-line | Clear-Com and RTS/Telex two-wire party-line: main stations, wall and desk speaker stations, beltpacks and headsets on mic cable |
| 2000s | First wireless and phone IFB | The first wireless beltpacks from Telex and Clear-Com, plus telephone hybrids for remote talent and call-ins |
| 2010–2015 | Wireless and digital matrix | Clear-Com Tempest and Telex BTR wireless, RTS ADAM-M and Cronus digital matrices with key panels, and wireless IFB |
| 2016–2020 | FreeSpeak II and HelixNet | Clear-Com FreeSpeak II became the main wireless system, and HelixNet brought digital party-line over existing cable and Ethernet |
| 2021–today | IP, Dante and cloud | Clear-Com Arcadia IP central stations, FreeSpeak II IP transceivers, Studio Technologies Dante beltpacks, and cloud IFB and return audio from LiveU and Haivision |
Based on EAR Professional Audio Video intercom and IFB sales, 1988 to 2026.
Wired party-line and matrix
- Clear-Com HelixNet: networked digital party-line with up to 24 channels over existing XLR cable, Ethernet with PoE, or fiber (Clear-Com)
- Clear-Com Eclipse HX and RTS ODIN and ADAM digital matrices with key panels, for facilities that need point-to-point calls; Eclipse HX connects from analog to Dante, AES67 and SMPTE 2110 (Clear-Com, RTS)
- RTS digital party-line, with PoE+ beltpacks that work as party-line stations or matrix key panels (RTS)
- Clear-Com Encore and RTS TW analog party-line, still in service in many facilities and supported by EAR
Wireless and IP intercom
- Clear-Com FreeSpeak II: five-channel, full-duplex wireless in the 1.9 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, with transceivers that can be placed far from the base over fiber (Clear-Com)
- Clear-Com FreeSpeak Edge: 1.9, 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless with encrypted radios and a base station that connects to Dante and AES67 devices (Clear-Com)
- Clear-Com Arcadia Central Station: one 1RU unit that hosts FreeSpeak wireless, HelixNet, key panels and Encore analog party-line, over CAT cable, fiber or XLR, so older and newer systems work together (Clear-Com)
- Studio Technologies Dante intercom and IFB: the Model 5422A Dante Intercom Audio Engine builds party-line and IFB circuits for Dante beltpacks and stations that need only power and Ethernet (Studio Technologies)
- Hollyland Solidcom H1 with Geo Central Station: full-duplex 1.9 GHz wireless intercom for up to 30 beltpacks and 12 groups on its own, or up to 80 beltpacks and 100 groups with the Geo Central Station, which adds native Dante with 4×4 network ports and standard 2W/4W interfaces for existing wired and third-party intercoms. With the Geo Central Station, antennas can also be cascaded over the internet for cloud-based intercom (Hollyland)
- RTS OMNEO: IP intercom that is fully compatible with Dante (RTS)
Cloud IFB and remote communications
Remote and REMI productions need talent and crews to hear the show from anywhere. EAR designs, sets up and supports cloud-based IFB and intercom, and can run it for you as part of our cloud hosting and production support:
- LiveU Audio Connect: cloud-based IFB and intercom between the station and field crews, from one-way talent return to many-to-many audio rooms, with an optional bridge into Dante. EAR is an authorized LiveU partner (LiveU)
- Clear-Com Agent-IC and Gen-IC: Agent-IC puts intercom on iOS and Android phones, tablets and wearables over cellular or Wi-Fi; Gen-IC is a virtual intercom service that runs without intercom hardware (Agent-IC, Gen-IC)
- RTS VLink and RVOC: software panels and hybrid cloud intercom that connect users over Wi-Fi, cellular or satellite (RTS)
- Haivision StreamHub: the receiver for Haivision mobile transmitters adds return video, bidirectional intercom and IFB between camera operators, on-air talent and the production team, as used for the Saint Louis Chess Club remote broadcasts (Haivision)
Intercom and IFB projects
- Arizona House of Representatives (2025): Clear-Com wireless intercom and an Encore main station, with UHF IFB transmitters and receivers wired into the intercom, for the legislative hearing rooms described in our hearing rooms and council chambers case study
- Northern Arizona University, NAU-TV (2012–2017): an RTS ADAM-M digital matrix with key panels, wireless beltpacks and wireless IFB, plus Studio Technologies announcer consoles
- Yavapai College (2016 and 2023): Clear-Com HelixNet with FreeSpeak II wireless, later expanded with an Arcadia IP central station and FreeSpeak II IP transceiver
- Peoria Unified School District (2025): Studio Technologies Dante intercom beltpacks on the district network
- Arizona Department of Public Safety, Public Affairs (2026): a Hollyland Solidcom roaming wireless intercom system
- Arizona State University (2022) and University of Arizona (2023): HelixNet and Encore intercom with Lectrosonics wireless IFB
- City of Phoenix, Channel 11: Clear-Com Encore wired intercom in 2003 and 2012, and wireless headsets in 2019
- Edward Jones National Broadcast Center, St. Louis (2014 and 2017): an RTS digital matrix with wireless beltpacks, IFB and Telos phone interfaces, later expanded with Clear-Com wireless. The same studio now has the Planar LED video wall EAR delivered in 2026
- Saint Louis Chess Club (2026): Hollyland Solidcom wireless intercom and Haivision StreamHub intercom and IFB for the remote (REMI) chess broadcasts
- A Phoenix production and rental company: a Clear-Com rental fleet with FreeSpeak II wireless, about 100 HelixNet beltpacks and two Arcadia central stations
What EAR Professional Audio Video provides
- System design: channel plans, wireless coverage, matrix or party-line, and how new wireless or IP gear connects to what you already own
- Installation and commissioning, including IFB and intercom wiring, network setup for Dante and IP intercom, and programming
- Cloud IFB and remote production setup, hosting and support
- Training and support, including warranty service, spare beltpacks, batteries and headsets
- Contract buying through Arizona state contract CTR075309 and 1GPA 22-02PV
Frequently asked questions
Who sells and installs production intercom systems in Arizona?
EAR Professional Audio Video, in Tempe, Arizona, designs, supplies, installs and supports production intercom and IFB systems from Clear-Com, RTS, Hollyland, Haivision, Studio Technologies and LiveU, for broadcasters, government, schools, churches and production companies in Arizona and nationwide. EAR has sold and supported intercom for more than 35 years, for more than 230 customers.
What is the difference between party-line and matrix intercom?
Party-line intercom puts everyone on shared channels, so anyone on a channel hears everyone else; it is simple and suits most live crews. A matrix intercom, such as Clear-Com Eclipse HX or RTS ODIN and ADAM, routes point-to-point and group calls between individual key panels, which larger broadcast facilities need.
Can we keep our existing wired intercom and add wireless or IP?
Usually, yes. Clear-Com Arcadia hosts FreeSpeak wireless, HelixNet digital party-line, key panels and Encore analog party-line in one 1RU unit, and Studio Technologies interfaces bring two-wire party-line into Dante. RTS describes its digital party-line as a migration path from legacy equipment to IP.
What is IFB and how does cloud IFB work?
IFB (interruptible foldback) sends program audio to on-air talent, interrupted by the producer’s voice when needed. Cloud IFB carries that return audio over the internet and cellular networks instead of dedicated lines: LiveU Audio Connect provides cloud-based IFB and intercom between the station and field crews, Haivision StreamHub adds intercom and IFB for Haivision field transmitters, and Clear-Com Agent-IC and Gen-IC put intercom on phones, tablets and computers.
Can intercom work over Dante, AES67 or SMPTE 2110 networks?
Yes. Clear-Com FreeSpeak Edge connects to Dante and AES67 devices, Eclipse HX supports Dante, AES67 and SMPTE 2110, RTS OMNEO is fully compatible with Dante, and Studio Technologies builds party-line and IFB on Dante beltpacks and stations.
Can government agencies and schools buy intercom on contract?
Yes. Arizona state agencies and State Purchasing Cooperative members can buy through Arizona state contract CTR075309, and eligible public agencies nationwide can use national cooperative contract 1GPA 22-02PV.
Related: Hearing rooms and council chambers · REMI production · LiveU · Rentals
Sources: manufacturer product information from Clear-Com · RTS · Studio Technologies · Hollyland · Haivision · LiveU Audio Connect, November 2026, subject to change; EAR Professional Audio Video project records, 1988 to 2026. Banner and thumbnail product images: Clear-Com; logos: Clear-Com, RTS, Hollyland, Haivision. Last reviewed: November 3, 2026.
About EAR
EAR Professional Audio Video (Engineering & Recording, Inc.) is a broadcast and professional AV systems integrator and reseller in Tempe, Arizona, founded in 1978. EAR designs, installs and supports systems for government, education, broadcast and corporate clients, and is an awarded supplier on Arizona state contract CTR075309 and national cooperative contract 1GPA 22-02PV.
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