jduran wrote:> Your wisdom please!Sennheiser is a reputable brand. The model you cited is in their lowest cost series. I have sold a number of these systems over the years. Their first generation (not G2) were problematic in not being very durable. I don't have as much experience with the G2, but the few we have sold have worked fine for several years. My first choice for most applications is from Shure. They also have more models to choose from, starting lower in cost and going even higher than the Sennheiser. Other reputable brands are: Lectrosonics (mostly high end) Audio-Technica (wide range) Telex (mid-range) Sony (mid-range) I would stay away from any brands that do not offer any products that are considerably more expensive than the Sennheiser that you are looking at. The quality engineered into the best systems does affect the manufacturer's understanding of how to build lesser expensive systems that can perform well. Among the differences among series within a given brand: Durability and overall reliability Quality of sound attributable to the microphone itself Quality of sound attributable to the transmit/receive electronics Range of frequencies available Convenience in selecting compatible channels to be used simultaneously Features such as eliminating pops or thumps when a transmitter is turned on or off, battery indicators on the receiver, remoteable antennas, etc. How many similar units can be used simultaneously without interference Form factor (sometimes different for differing applications) The list goes on A local dealer may or may not be able to give you similar pricing to Sweetwater (the price they list is Minimum Advertised Price for that product), but may be able to provide more guidance in choosing the correct product for your application. You should only purchase from somebody that can help you choose the proper frequencies for your locality. The manufacturers that I have mentioned all maintain databases that will provide guidance to avoid conflicts with the changing landscape of analog and digital television transmission in your area. A dealer can and should consult that information before selling you anything. Not doing so is negligent. Buying mail order and just accepting what they happen to have in stock could be buying trouble. -- Regards Dick Trump Triad AV Services 1910 Ingersoll Ave. Des Moines, IA 50309 515-243-2125 515-243-2055 (fax) http://www.triadav.com dtrump1 at triadav.com
I have used several Shure systems, a few Sennheisers and a few AudioTechnica systems. Do not expect any of these systems, even the highest end, to be anywhere as reliable as a wired mic. As the years went on, I generally moved higher and higher end to try to weed out problems I had with units that were due to design or unit flaws. I've been out of the biz for a few years now (since my kids arrived), but I nearly always tried to use the best I/we could afford. At that time, the Shure UCs were my most common choice. When I couldn't afford to roll out UCs, ULX systems were a solid, cheaper alternative. I don't remember much about the Sennheisers beyond them performing as expected and (as usual) not having compatible connectors ;-) I owned several high end Audio Technica models and found every unit unreliable. They were digitally controlled transmitters and all had an odd tendency to lose their settings in the middle of performances. Dropouts are one thing-- having a microphone suddenly decide to boost its output 60dB in the middle of a quiet choral number for no reason is absolutely unacceptable. They all went in for service, all came back with clean bills of health, all repeated the problems and I dumped the whole lot. If at all possible, buy units that run on AAs, not 9v. Rechargables, in general, work *very* poorly in wireless mics. Batteries will cost you a surprising amount of money, and 9v make that 4x worse. If at possible buy units that you make the settings using physical switches, preferrably requiring a screwdriver. All-analog packs survive alot longer than digital packs. All the fancy digital pushbutton systems are begging to fail, and actors/performers can't resist playing with them. Covers that snap shut over the pushbuttons; the overs are flimsy and the puttins get mashed right through the flimy shield. If sweat gets in, the microprocessor is done. Prefer units that have cheply replacable connectors, and hoard spares. We had one actor who constantly broke connectors because they'd pop apart before he'd run on stage and he couldn't get them back together correctly in haste and on three consecutive nights, he destroyed three $1000 sender units. After that show, I ripped all the 'high-durability unscoopable' connectors out of the packs and hand-soldered in 1/8" stereo connectors. They popped apart somewhat more easily, but they never broke. I think Sennheiser might have the advantage on this front. Whatever mic you get, dropouts will be a problem. The best units are better in this regard, but unless you plan to have an antenna array front of house less than 15' away, expect them to just randomly lose occasionally. The stated ranges are fantasy. Sweat kills microphones. A drop of sweat in the capsule itself, and you're out a $300 Countryman. But most people think sweat doesn't get inside the packs. One show of having a 'beltpack' stuffed into a bra because 'it's the only place it will fit in the costume' means you will have a dead transmitter by the end of the run. Putting the sender in a condom will help, but sweat still tends to get in eventually. Yeah, the packs look ugly outside, but they're called beltpacks for a reason. That said--- our Shure UCs and ULX packs went through multiple successful soakings in rubbing alchohol after sweat-induced failures, dried out fine, and kept performing. That's my 0.02. Monty
(BTW, remember the dialogue from the Blues Brothers: "You traded the Bluesmobile for this piece of shit?" "No, for a microphone." ".... okay, I can see that." I didn't realize until I got into professional sound that the joke there is that it's not a joke. Doubly true for wireless. Monty
xiphmont at xiph.org wrote:> Do not expect any of these systems, even the highest end, to be > anywhere as reliable as a wired mic.Amen to that! The very best of the best wireless microphones only attempt to be as good as wired. It will never achieve that goal All other advice should be tempered with that knowledge.> If at all possible, buy units that run on AAs, not 9v. Rechargables, > in general, work *very* poorly in wireless mics. Batteries will cost > you a surprising amount of money, and 9v make that 4x worse.Good advice again, although there have recently been a few wireless microphones designed specifically to handle rechargables. If they have not, the batteries will have a very short usable life and may cause problems even with brand new fully charged. Unless the manufacturer recommends rechargables, don't even consider it.> If at possible buy units that you make the settings using physical > switches, preferrably requiring a screwdriver. All-analog packs > survive alot longer than digital packs.Not bad advice but only the very cheapest and a few of the most expensive fit that category anymore.> Whatever mic you get, dropouts will be a problem. The best units are > better in this regard, but unless you plan to have an antenna array > front of house less than 15' away, expect them to just randomly lose > occasionally. The stated ranges are fantasy.Here's where you need somebody with real RF experience and technical knowledge. 100% may not be achievable, but a well engineered installation can come close. I can say that at my own church, with 3 Shure ULX-P, we have NEVER had a drop out that I have witnessed in the 7 years they have been installed. About 75' from chancel to antennas. I'm there every Sunday.> Sweat kills microphones.Only one manufacturer makes a pack that is "water resistant" - Lectrosonics. And even then, I have a saying - "water always wins", and sweat is worse than water - much worse. -- Regards Dick Trump Triad AV Services 1910 Ingersoll Ave. Des Moines, IA 50309 515-243-2125 515-243-2055 (fax) http://www.triadav.com dtrump1 at triadav.com