Is this a bad time to buy a new wireless system?

[roonsbane]

Hey all,

I am submitting capital purchase requests for work and I see a big need for the Sennheiser EW501P-G2 System which I have used in the past and would fill a void in our gear list. They operate in the 518-554, 626-662, 740-776, 786-822, 830-866MHz range. My question to you is: Is this a bad time to buy a new wireless system given the war for the airwaves. Do you think that these systems will be useable in the future? Should we hold off for a while even though we could really use this? Is there any system that is truly future proof that has the ability to work with any mic (condensers included) that sounds decent?

Thanks!

Cameron

[bishopthomas]

How many systems are you looking at purchasing? If you only need one and it's going to make you money then I would say go for it. I plan on buying 8 units but not until after the smoke has cleared.

[roonsbane]

We need 2-4 channels. Which are you looking into? We currently have 4 others that we all fight over.

[John Willett]

It should not be a problem.

All Sennehiser G2 systems can easily be converted from one frequency range to another - Senneheiser UK (of Sennheiser USA) can easily do it.

It involves replacing the RF board in the transmitter and receiver, re-aligning and reprogramming the e-prom with the new frequencies.

In the UK this costs about £200 a system.

So - if the worst come sto the worst - you should be able to change it all to new frequencies.

[cbarrett92]

Wait a while and save some money. What's wrong with wired mics?

[roonsbane]

:

Wait a while and save some money. What's wrong with wired mics

If we could use wired mics of course we would as they are always preferred sonically.

Thanks john on the Sennheiser upgrade info.

[Sound Sorcerer]

Originally Posted by roonsbane

Hey all,
Is there any system that is truly future proof that has the ability to work with any mic (condensers included) that sounds decent?

Zaxcom makes Wireless Digital Systems supporting lavs (TRX-900) & stereo condenser mics (TRX-990)... They also have recording options available with timecode (STA-100) with various sample rates & bit depths. They also claim Zaxcom's wireless systems rivals hard wired setups.

[roonsbane]

Zaxcom makes Wireless Digital Systems supporting lavs (TRX-900) & stereo condenser mics (TRX-990)... They also have recording options available with timecode (STA-100) with various sample rates & bit depths. They also claim Zaxcom's wireless systems rivals hard wired setups.

And what makes these future proof in terms of the wireless frequency spectrum which seems to be the biggest issue? When the government takes back those frequency spectrums (or re-allocates them as planed), what will make this unit different than any other wireless system?
The sennheiser system already does power condensers and they do sound as good as any wireless system I have used. I have always wanted to compare the zaxcom though I have never seen anyone actually use one.

[Jim vanBergen]

There were 50 Zaxcom units on Radio City Xmas Spectacular that had spectacular problems, yet to be resolved. Really fun issues included bad intermodulation, packs overheating- burning the talent! I think Sennheisser, Shure, or Lectrosonics are much safer manufacturers right now!!!

JvB

[Remoteness]

Sennheiser wireless systems are pretty much the standard in TV reality shows.
Most if not all TV Reality shows use Sennheiser wireless products.

I'm with JvB -- The Sennheiser, Lectrosonics and Shure systems are all quality devices that have a proven track record.