Shure vs. Sennheiser Wireless Mics

[CrAkD]

Im planning on a big upgrade in my wireless setup this year. im about to payoff my in ear monitors and want to upgrade my wireless mic next. Ive always loved shure so I may stick with em but every professional ive talked to SWEARS by sennheiser wireless systems. anyone have any experiences?

Probably going to be either This one

Sennheiser Evolution G3 100 Handheld e865 Wireless Microphone System at AmericanMusical.com

or this one

Shure ULX Standard UHF Handheld Wireless Beta 58 Microphone System at AmericanMusical.com

[blueangel2323]

at the high end, there's not much to choose from between shure and sennheiser, other than price. several years ago, literally EVERY artist was seen on stage using a shure uhf series (the top of the line model, with the little antenna sticking out the bottom) with sm58 capsule, until shure discontinued it and replaced it with the uhf-r series. now, the sennheiser 500 series (with 935 capsule) has taken over, along with the more expensive 5000 series.

seriously though, the sennheiser low-end 100 series will do almost everything that the 500 series will do, except for frequency agility if you need that for exotic touring. i have the 300 series and i'm very happy with it. can't say anything about the quality of the lower-end shure systems though.

[PDC]

Originally Posted by blueangel2323

at the high end, there's not much to choose from between shure and sennheiser, other than price. several years ago, literally EVERY artist was seen on stage using a shure uhf series (the top of the line model, with the little antenna sticking out the bottom) with sm58 capsule, until shure discontinued it and replaced it with the uhf-r series. now, the sennheiser 500 series (with 935 capsule) has taken over, along with the more expensive 5000 series.

seriously though, the sennheiser low-end 100 series will do almost everything that the 500 series will do, except for frequency agility if you need that for exotic touring. i have the 300 series and i'm very happy with it. can't say anything about the quality of the lower-end shure systems though.

Not so.

There are big differences in the Shure and Sennheisers through out the line. Sennheiser does not provide the functions of the UHF-Rs.

Agility is not for "exotic" touring. In many markets, the air space is very congested. Wireless, especially for local traveling frequencies, requires frequency agile units. In 2012 new networks will be online in major markets. Wireless could be an hourly management issue. It already is in New York.

Sound wise, I think that AKG has both Shure and Sennheiser beat on the low end. If you plan to use more than one wireless, you really need to think about buying.

[CrAkD]

we use alot of wireless thats the other thing I should have put in my original post. We use a Shure in ear monitor system (PSM200) dual wireless mics (PG88 which is what were in route to upgrade) and the guitarist uses a shure wireless guitar unit. sure the bassist will come on board soon. I looked at the UHF-R line and that is just too expensive for us.

[fifthcircle]

When it comes to mid-range wireless, I'm of the belief that it is 6 and one half dozen of the other... Just doesn't really matter much. I come across more of the Sennheisers, but that doesn't mean much.

At the higher end, I'm a fan of the Sennheiser over Shure as they just sound a whole lot better. Doing an A-B is a very enlightening thing... I've also been very impressed with the sonics of the Audio Technica Artist series stuff- like the Sennheiser, the companders don't get in the way as much. I'm not as fond of the heads for the handhelds (the 5400 heads are nice, but very bright) on the AT line, but there are some good choices at the high end out there.

--Ben

[Northernaudioman]

Of the two systems you are looking at I would go Sennheiser, the Shure is plastic and not compatible with anything else in the Shure range, and our Shure rep admits it doesn't sound great. The Sennheiser is metal, very rugged, sounds great, and is compatible with 300/500 and 2000 series systems. Also heads are interchangeable with the latest large diaphragm Sennheiser mic ( can't remember the name ) which sounds wonderful - so you have a great upgrade path if you want it.

[MichaelPatrick]

Don't mean to hijack the thread - at least this is somewhat related:

To support Shure KSM9 or Neumann KMS-105 capsules, which wireless units are best?

[Remoteness]

Shure for the KSM9 capsule and Sennheiser for the KMS105 capsule.

[Northernaudioman]

None of those heads will work on the radio systems originally listed!

[John Willett]

The new Sennheiser evolution G3 is better than the older G2 (also transmits a lower frequency response).

The 100 / 300 / 500 series are identical in audio quality and you can mix and match across the range - so an ew 100 G3 system will sound identical to the equivalent ew 500 G3 (and 2000 series, which is very top end G3). The differences are in the facilities you get and in the number of switchable frequencies.

The new G3 uses screw-on heads on the handhelds, including the new true-condenser 965 head with switchable polar-pattern.


Regarding the question of the Neumann 104 / 105 condenser heads: these fit on the SKM 5200 transmitter - this will work with both 3000 and 5000 series receivers (but *not* with evolution and 2000 series due to the different noise reduction).


I hope this answerrs the questions OK.

[Geese]

Old thread but wanted to add an entry for the Senn vs. Shure wireless database. Just added an EW135 G3 w/e835 to the vocal line on stage for a regional touring act. The other front mics are Beta 58 in Shure wireless systems. In a vacuum or at controlled volumes the Senn may in fact be more musical than the Shure to the ears of most. In a live acoustic, medium sound level, church, etc., type situation it could very well be the best choice.

However, at extremely high sound pressure levels in an extremely noisy "on the verge" noise floor situation the Senn just doesn't have what it takes to deliver the pure muscle needed to cut through. No amount of EQ (within typical application) could compensate. Even if EQ characteristics are matched, we were able to apply significantly more gain to the Shure Beta 58 without roaring feedback and maintain a solid,clear, muscular tone. In these particular extreme circumstances the Senn is virtually useless as a live vocal mic. To qualify my experience, I've done mid to hi-end professional live sound as my career for 35 straight years... averaging 150 - 200 one nighters per year.

Bottom line.... check your application before choosing your mic. There may be no "best" for every situation.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Geese

Old thread but wanted to add an entry for the Senn vs. Shure wireless database. Just added an EW135 G3 w/e835 to the vocal line on stage for a regional touring act. The other front mics are Beta 58 in Shure wireless systems. In a vacuum or at controlled volumes the Senn may in fact be more musical than the Shure to the ears of most. In a live acoustic, medium sound level, church, etc., type situation it could very well be the best choice.

However, at extremely high sound pressure levels in an extremely noisy "on the verge" noise floor situation the Senn just doesn't have what it takes to deliver the pure muscle needed to cut through. No amount of EQ (within typical application) could compensate. Even if EQ characteristics are matched, we were able to apply significantly more gain to the Shure Beta 58 without roaring feedback and maintain a solid,clear, muscular tone. In these particular extreme circumstances the Senn is virtually useless as a live vocal mic. To qualify my experience, I've done mid to hi-end professional live sound as my career for 35 straight years... averaging 150 - 200 one nighters per year.

Bottom line.... check your application before choosing your mic. There may be no "best" for every situation.

Not a fair comparison as the 835 is a very different head compared with the SM58. You should have compared it with the 935 head which is designed for live lead vocals like the SM58.

You have a choice of 6 different mic. heads with the G3 hand-helds.

Sent from my iPhone using Gearslutz

[rwhealey]

Originally Posted by Northernaudioman

None of those heads will work on the radio systems originally listed!

I've been told that the KSM9 head will work on a ULX transmitter. Never tried it myself.

[EV676]

I work in TV so it's Lectrosonics.

But I produce high school and small college football radio broadcasts and I have to pay for the equipment for that. I had to get out of the 700mhz band.

Last season I went with Sennheiser an EW-100G3 handled and an EW-300G2 for the in-ear for the sidelines guy. Because the G-3 series was new I paid pretty close to "street" for the wireless mic. Needless to say I got a killer deal on the in-ear wireless as it was the discontinued G-2 model. Both work great and luckily I haven't had to invest just yet in the higher gain antennas for the units. I plan to add another mic and receiver for the in-ears as funds permit.

There are deals out there from reputable dealers, much better than GC, MF, AMS and Sweetie-Pie offer. Shop around

[hbphotoav]

This may be more than you need (or want) to hear, but...

We run both at the church I work with... UHF-R Shures (one SM58 cap on a stick; one E6 Countryman on a beltpack, with a backup beltpack) and two EW100G3s (both with 835s). Each has its strengths and weaknesses... the 58 cap booms like a bad boy when inexperienced speakers hold it like a ice cream cone and pop plosives into the side. But it does sound nice with the right voice... just like a 58, in fact. The 835 is more forgiving on the plosives front (and it's a bit easier to tell a newbie "Talk into the flat spot on the end") but exhibits a bit more "edge", especially with women. We run worship through wired vocal mics (Neumann KMS-105 on the WL; Shure SM86s on everybody else... very complementary sounds) and have yet to have a featured vocalist require a RF mic. I do like the wire for music.

My own RF rig for PA and video is 9 channels of Sennheiser, EW100G1, EW500G1, EW100G2 and SK100G3 ENG (two systems for video acquisition). I try never to miss the opportunity to pick one up when a great deal comes along. Four channels are racked with a hi-gain antenna system (3 HH, 4 beltpacks); two beltpack systems are racked in a 3-space with XLRs in a plate on the front; the two ENG rigs ride in their respective camera cases; one EW100G3 is "loose" for assignment as needed.

I also have two channels of Shure LX4 VHF that still, surprisingly, work quite well. When I bought them used in 1998, they were already 5 or 6 road-weary years old. Needless to say, they are "emergency" backup systems, or for use when somebody needs to "borrow" a lavaliere set. Mics are E6s, Sennheiser ME-4s, Shure WL-83, WL-93, WL-184, WL-185 (all modded to the Sennheiser miniplug), a PSC MilliMic, and a pair of DPA 4061s. A couple of plug-on transmitters (the 100 series has no phantom; the 500 series does) allow access to nearly every other mic in my locker... though usually it's a 58, a Beta 87 or a AKG CK98/SE300B shotgun.

In sum... try to audition both, at the same time if you can swing it, and let your ears and hands (some people like the way one or the other feels/balances) be your guide. They're both quite usable. For lots of years, if my collection is any indicator.

I will say, I have had much less success with offerings from ElectroVoice, Samson, older AT, and Azden. None of those worked out well, at all.

YM, of course, MV.

HB

[bishopthomas]

Originally Posted by Geese

However, at extremely high sound pressure levels in an extremely noisy "on the verge" noise floor situation the Senn just doesn't have what it takes to deliver the pure muscle needed to cut through. No amount of EQ (within typical application) could compensate. Even if EQ characteristics are matched, we were able to apply significantly more gain to the Shure Beta 58 without roaring feedback and maintain a solid,clear, muscular tone. In these particular extreme circumstances the Senn is virtually useless as a live vocal mic. To qualify my experience, I've done mid to hi-end professional live sound as my career for 35 straight years... averaging 150 - 200 one nighters per year.

With so much experience you should know that the Beta 58 is a supercardioid while the e835 is a cardioid. Monitor placement should be drastically different depending on which mic you are using. I detest the sound of the Beta 58 (and am not a huge fan of the sm58) and always have good results out of the e835. I have used them on tiny stages with extremely loud punk rock bands and never had the problems you have described.