TELEX FMR-500 WIRELESS SYSTEMS

[Keithwah1960]

GREETINGS!!

Has anybody out there been using the Telex FMR-500 wireless microphone systems. They are the Telex branded version of the Electro Voice RE2 system.

Here's why I am asking, I am a professional sound contractor and had been installing these things by the boatload over the past 7 to 8 years. At first they were all rock solid.

In the past 4 years the beltpacks have been having massive issues with low RF output, the antenna combiners (UAD-4) have started dropping like flies as well. They usually make it past warranty, but as you can imagine I don't want to install wireless systems that last a year and then die out forcing our clients to have to buy new.

We have been told by the factory that we are the ONLY people in the country to have any issues with this product. Of course it could be we're the only ones to actually sell them and that could explain that. When we get a repair ticket back on a repaired belt pack, it mentions "required upgrades" on the service ticket. "Required Upgrades" to me has always spelled they all have a problem and they have an official "required upgrade". We have also experienced complete antenna failure via the UAD-4 combiner and also have had some occasional receiver failures. The handheld transmitters have been for the most part fairly reliable.

Either way, I'm not trying to start a Bash Telex Thread, I just need to know we're not crazy. We've installed close to 1,200 of these systems in Churches over the years and we see at least 1 to 2 systems with an issue every week.

We have moved back to Shure and Audio Technica (for the budget oriented) and do not actively offer the Telex anymore, but of course with so many of them out there...

Thanks in advance for your "feedback" on this topic! Your input helps us contractors understand your needs and concerns so much better!

[pdc]

Don't buy that garbage that you are the only ones to have issues. We are a good sized EV dealer and we do not sell their wireless mics now. We have had QC issues with new units out of the box. Their build quality never has been great. These is a good reason why they have never firmly garnered a good share of the market.

[Keithwah1960]

PDC.....THANK YOU...THANK YOU.....THANK YOU!!!

We knew it was "garbage"! We were the only contracting firm in Wisconsin supporting the Telex line and so within my friendly competitors that I talk with, they had zero experience with the product as they were all hardcore Shure guys, except for maybe one Sennheiser guy.

We have probably replaced at least a couple hundred beltpacks, receivers or antenna distros in recent years and it has been hard to need to admit to our customers we sold them junk, but we are doing just that and moving the clients over to Shure and AT as the client can afford.

For us, the biggest reason we liked the product (other than our dealer cost) was that the belt packs had a toggle switch. We deal primarily with traditional
denomination Churches, and traditional Pastors were very used to the old Shure LX belt packs with the toggle switch. They can't wrap their minds around AT or Shure's soft switches. They loved the FMR-500/RE-2PRO/ULXS/ULXP type of toggle switch. They can feel the switch under their vestments and it gives them a sense of operational security. Personally, I think that's a crock...the world is changing and moving forward they need to learn the technology to suceed..but hey, it's not my checkbook.

Don't get me wrong, Bosch/Telex/EV has been very good about replacement packs and distros but it is more a case of our time. As contractors, the minimum time it takes to drive to a customer, swap out a system is 2 hours. Bosch ain't willing to pony up for that. And obviously as the go to Church contractor in our market, we do what we need to in order to maintain our reputation for serving our Church clients first and foremost.

COME ON FOLKS!!! LET'S KEEP THOSE TELEX/EV WIRELESS STORIES COMING!!!!

[pdc]

EV has been behind the curve on mics and wireless systems for a long time. They do have some ingenious approaches to products, allowing customers to have more function for the buck. I do like that. EV/Telex is as protected as it can be. The box houses aren't as likely to blow them out below contractor cost. I remember when contractor pricing for a Shure SM58 was $99, and Guitar Center was selling them for $69. That doesn't happen with EV/Telex.

[Glenn Wesley]

You are not alone--I have also seen the downgrade of quality and reliability of EV Telex--now Bosch. Just before they left for China and since, we have had numerous issues. And no, they do not pay the contractors to go back--remove--place in a loaner--go back-- replace--repair reputation.

They will, however, charge you more to repair a body pack that it cost to replace with a new one.

I have complained with no response. Bottom line--Bosch is big and contractor is tiny.

There is a disconnect with contractors and their needs with most all Pro Audio gone to China these days. But hey, cheap is in!

Glenn Wesley Audio.com