Ideas for good Wireless Headset Mics

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by waynehoskins

I still think of Bogen as a paging-sound-systems company. I didn't know they made wireless, but they wouldn't be on my short list to try. My list would have Sennheiser, Shure, and AKG.

I would probably add Lectrosonics, Audio-Technica, Mipro and Sabine to those to possibly consider but keep in mind that most of these companies offer a range of products so it's not just the brand name but also the product line.

FWIW, Bogen apparently only offers one handheld and one bodypack wireless microphone system and those Bogen UDMS16 systems look suspiciously like the Nady WS-16U products to the point of literally having some of the same graphics in the manuals.

Originally Posted by waynehoskins

I love wireless, don't get me wrong, but it's generally not a good idea to use wireless unless it's the only option. It has virtually all the same failure modes of wired, plus a fragile super-low-power UHF radio link in the middle.

+1

[ValerieJBW]

Thanks for your input. I know very little about this aspect of worship leading. I am a lay worship leader and not up on the technical aspects of that role. Since my inquiry to this site I have also spoken to various performers and they certainly agree with the comments made here. I think you have swayed me to go with a good wired mic sytem. We already have a professionally installed system and wanted to upgrade, but you're not always sure the advice you are getting is the best or a sales pitch, especially when you are ignorant of what is out there and the quality. Again many thanks.
God Bless, Valerie

[bradneal]

I just ordered 4 of those OSP HS-09's. I'll let you know how we like them.

Currently the Pastor is using a Countryman with the additional second ear brace, and it still flops all over the place when he turns his head from left to right. If the HS-09 works out for the drama team, we may retire the Countryman for an additional HS-09 for the Pastor.

I will say thought, that the Countryman is a dream work with from a sound perspective. It's way better than the best Lav we could find. Very natural sounding, no mic pops, but they are really flimsy and hard to keep in place. At least that's been out experience with them.

-Brad

[Tim Padrick]

Sounds like the Countryman has not been bent to properly fit the Pastor, and/or the cable is not routed correctly (is hanging instead of being clipped to his collar or taped to his neck with medical tape).

[bradneal]

Well, I won't argue that that is not the possible culprit, but we have had it for well over a year, and have tried about every combination of bending, refitting the wrap around the ear, looping the cable above the back of the collar and securing it with the clip, but it still is less than ideal.

I think it's just so flimsy that the slightest tug on the cable, and the mic moves.