Looking at lav/headset mics. Your recommendation?

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rickryan.com

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I think I'm ready to get off the GTD train. It's still a (mostly) good system, but I seem to run into interference issues every now and then (today for example) and that's just too much. I'd like to have a rock-solid performer that has both lav and single headset (very thin line, single ear) that will plug into the bodypack. I'm looking at the Sennheiser XSW2-ME2 as a possibility. What would you recommend?
 
I have an older EV RE2 and its been so good that I'm looking at the new EV RE3 as a replacement.

I know Ben at NLFX has a good price on these.
 
I'm very happy with the Shure SLX12485SM58. It comes with both the handheld and the lab. I then ordered the extra antennas for extended range. Got it all from NorthernSoundandLight
 
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I'm very happy with the Shure SLX12485SM58. It comes with both the handheld and the lab. I then ordered the extra antennas for extended range. Got it all from NorthernSoundandLight
What did you pay for all of those items?
 
Move to a cheap 2 channel or single channel VHF system. Virtually no interference in the below 300 mhz band. The only problem is these systems usually come with cheaper lav mics included. You will have great signal strength, but low sound quality. I have had minimal issues with my $80 NADY DKW set. Sound quality is just sub par to fair though. Tinty sound.

Either that, or go all out, and spend $1,000+ on a Shure QLX system. Everything in the middle is going to have their share of issues you will eventually contend with when it comes to lavalier microphones. None of them will be "Rock Solid". SHURE BLX sounds great, plenty of pick up, but short signal drop outs occur on multiple channels, and if the officiant is moving around a lot, it's not great at keeping the signal going.

My cheap EBM $34 dual set of lav mics have great signal stregnth. BAD on pick up/volume strength. Quality of speech is actually perhaps a bit better than the NADY $80 set, but you need to literally be holding the mic element 3 to 4 inches from mouth, OR really push that mic gain way up for them to work fairly.
 
As mentioned in other threads, I've been extremely happy with Sennheiser EWg3's. Can get them used In the $300-$400 range. New $600.
G2 work too and are great as back up stuff...they all work on any generation...as long as they are in the same freq range
 
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We have had flawless performance with our ULX Shure's. We have a couple sets with HH + lav for flexibility, but most often use handhelds. For handhelds we go SM58 heads. Channel selecting ability comes in handy in areas that might have other wireless activity going on, and for events using multiple wireless devices.

My GTDs have, for the most part, been great but every once in a while the lav will have static on it. Last week was a good example. I tested it out beforehand, everything clean and clear then when we started the ceremony there's static going on (not terrible) and there's nothing to be done about it. I'm torn whether to spend time working with changing channels or ditching it and upgrading to a "real" wireless system. I like the SM58 capsule but pretty much all of those Shures use plastic bodies so client perception won't be any better than what I currently have. I'd also likely be losing the flexibility of changing out mic elements on the bodypack. I don't think Shure has a really thin line headset like the GTD has on it.
 
We have had flawless performance with our ULX Shure's. We have a couple sets with HH + lav for flexibility, but most often use handhelds. For handhelds we go SM58 heads. Channel selecting ability comes in handy in areas that might have other wireless activity going on, and for events using multiple wireless devices.

Do you (or anyone else here) know what the difference is (performance wise) between the ULX, SLX and BLX versions? I don't mind spending the extra $400 on the ULX, as long as I have reason to believe it's going to perform significantly better than the BLX.
 
I'm not super familiar with all the details as it's been a long time since we shopped...but one of the main differences is the number of channels available, so if you need more than a couple wireless at a given event, the ulx series will suit you better. Otherwise I believe both slx and ulx offer a good variety of mic capsules and reasonably similar performance (considering primarily typical DJ use...the differences add up more for bigger production aspects). Depending on how/where you use them keep an eye on if the antenna is fixed or can be moved as well.
 
I'm not super familiar with all the details as it's been a long time since we shopped...but one of the main differences is the number of channels available, so if you need more than a couple wireless at a given event, the ulx series will suit you better. Otherwise I believe both slx and ulx offer a good variety of mic capsules and reasonably similar performance (considering primarily typical DJ use...the differences add up more for bigger production aspects). Depending on how/where you use them keep an eye on if the antenna is fixed or can be moved as well.

I'm only looking to change out my ceremony rig and only have need for 1 lav and 1 hand-held. Sounds like the lesser unit might be just fine. Thanks for the input.
 
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Where? That's a great price.
It's $665 at NSL (just looked). That's bodypack + handheld, though only one can be used at a time (single channel).