Wireless sound amplificaiton occurs via three primary microphone types; handheld, lapel (Laveliere) microphone, and the earpiece. Which is right for you?
A handheld wireless microphone is perfect for any situation where the mic is passed around or only used for a short amount of time. This includes open prayer times, open announcements, and short times like candle lighting with scripture reading.
These include:
- Shure PGX24/SM58 Hand-Held Wireless System
- Nady DKW-DUO Dual Channel VHF Hand-Held Microphone System
- Sennheiser ew135G2 E835 Cardioid Hand-Held Wireless System
- Sennheiser freePORT Wireless Vocal Set
- Audio-Technica ATW-252 Freeway VHF Handheld Wireless System
The lapel / earpiece microphones are ideal for long speaking or long use needs such as on actors. The problem with the lapels is whenever the speaker turns their head far left or far right, their audio will lower due to the distance from the microphone. While the rule is one fist below the lowered chin, a wide head turn can effect sound. If you need a good lapel (laveliere) mic, try these:
- Sennheiser ew112G2 ME2 Omni Lavaliere Mic Wireless UHF System
- Audio-Technica ATW-3131a Lavaliere Wireless System With AT831CW
- Audio-Technica ATW-251 Freeway VHF Lavaliere Wireless System
- The Nady lapel systems don’t have favorable ratings so I suggest avoiding these.
Finally the earpiece / headset microphones…
- Sennheiser ew152G2 ME3 Headset Microphone Wireless System (high rating but very obvious and obtrusive)
- Audio-Technica ATW-701/H92-TH Wireless System
- Shure PGX14 Lavaliere Wireless System with Beige AT892C Headset Microphone
If you already have a wireless lapel mic but want to transfor it to a headset, look for headset components that are just the wire/mic for your brand such as the Audio-Technica PRO 92cW-TH Wireless Headset Microphone.
One other use for the headset mic’s is for drummers, pianists, and any other musicians who also sing.
Joseph Cardana says
April 1, 2015 at 11:50 pmI often have problems using the lapel mic on people because our speakers don’t project much. I love using it on pianos and acoustic (non-electric) guitars.
Christopher Battles says
January 2, 2013 at 2:10 pmThe ear piece /headset, I had forgot about that option, but is something that I might look into as our Pastor wants to start possibly marketing some series and we want the quality to be better.
Thanks.
K, bye
Mike says
May 31, 2012 at 12:11 amHey Chris, sorry to dig up such an old post, but do you have any more recent recommendations for wireless mics, circa 2012? A lot of these seem to be old enough that they’re not even stocked anymore.
chris says
June 1, 2012 at 5:24 pmMike, I’ve posted up a question on my FB page, http://www.facebook.com/behindthemixer, to find out what people are using. It all depends on what you need. Most folks go with countryman or sennheiser. Audio-Technica has some really affordable equipment that I’ve used and like.
jorge talamantes says
November 1, 2015 at 3:55 pmi recently tried the “samson stage 55” true diversity wireless mic, the headset one it has the “SE10” capsule it works very good for the price at about $130 but if posible buy a better system maybe like the “samson concert 88 earset” wich costs between $159 and $179
look for the next specs:
diversity antenna
uhf frecuency
earset or headset type capsule
if it fits your buget look for one that uses lithium battery
xlr output (balanced output)
at least 100 ft range
B says
October 17, 2011 at 2:23 pmMatt, there are no such device as a multi-mic wireless receiver. Every wireless microphone must have it’s own home.