I would like to replace my existing wireless Mic System, they are mostly Samson Brand. I have 3 different types (Airline 77, Micro Ear Set and Airsynth). I am not really happy with them. I bought these to match with my Samson 500w portable sound system.

I am thinking of getting the new Sennheisser or Shure brand.

I will just be using this mostly for my Samson 500w portable sound system.

Can anyone suggest the best wireless system with the least feedback and best clarity? Thanks!

I am considering this but I will just change the headworn mic to an Ear set.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shure-BLX14-Body......2f49cdcf

Lou,

People here favor this headset:

http://www.countryman.com/e6-earset

It has a detachable cable and it's small.

DPA 4088-f has a slightly better sound but the cable is hard wired.

One is more expensive.

Both units have connectors for Shure, Sennhesier and other wireless systems.

It's the mic (feedback rejection), pickup pattern and speaker placement that affects feedback.

I personally use a Sennhesiser because the bodypack is all metal and I do some physical illusions. If I used a Shure system, the sound quality would be identical.

I use a Countryman e6 with a Shure system. The particular Shure system will depend on your requirements for quality and interference control. Some auto search for open channels, while others must be manually switched. Higher end ones are best suited for situations where there are many different competing systems with multiple performers. I would recommend talking with a representative at an electronic store for details.

Thank you gothike and charliecheckers for your advice. You both suggest the most expensive ear set mic for my use. So, it is more of the mic that is important for less feedback and clarity assuming I will be using a Shure or a Sennheisser. Sounds like a good investment (US$488 + shipping).

Lou - yes, feedback is largely a function of the volume you need and the distance your mouth is from the mic. There was a thread here a while back by Roadie, (or something like that) that explained this in great detail. I will try to provide a link. The one thing I learned that was most informative was how much a small distance in microphone placement from your mouth can impact the volume you then need to amplify the sound. The Countryman e6 is only expensive compared to low end microphones. They last, but the cords will need to be replaced occasionally. I like the fact that the Countyman mic is in no way obstructive or a distraction. Considering how important your voice and appearance are to your overall performance, I believe it is a great value. You can microphones that provide even less opportunity for feedback, but they tend to be more distractive in my opinion. I am no expert on this, but am sharing what I have experienced.

An earset microphone (like the Countryman E6) is more prone to feedback than a headset mic. That's the reason I stick with a headset mic.

Lou, feedback is a matter of speaker placement, microphone sensitivity, microphone pickup pattern, volume, room acoustics, etc. I suggest you read the information that Dan McLean, Jr. (Magic Roadie) posted on his website:
http://www.magicroadie.com

Click on the link for Audio and read all the articles there. It should be of great assistance.

Michael

Commercially bought Countryman mics are omnidirectional, which can contribute to feedback problems. When I bought my E6, I talked directly with the company, and had them make a directional E6 mic for me, which eliminated feedback problems (unless I stand directly in front of my speakers, which I obviously don't do).

Just for the record, I use an Audio Technica wireless system.

Arthur Stead
http://www.arthurstead.com

I agree that a headset mic is less prone to feedback. My experience with the Countryman mic is that I cannot recall feedback problems in the two years I have used it. Therefore, the improved visual appeal has been my preference. Each person should consider their performing situations and audio demands to best determine what will suit them.

Charliecheckers, may I know what wireless system you are using with your E6 Countryman mic?

When I tested a Countryman mic in a smaller room, I could not kill the feedback without moving the PA system well out in front of me. With my Sennheiser headset mic, I can walk in front of the speaker and not get feedback. In addition, even when there is no feedback issue with an E6, the clarity is not as good as with a headset mic. That's just the nature of the type of mic it is.

As I mentioned above, do not buy a standard (omnidirectional) Countryman mic. Instead, ask Countryman for a directional mic. That will solve your feedback problems.

Lou - I use the Shure BLX system. I had purchased a higher end model, but later returned it because the BLX serves my needs. I have used it at Fairs, country clubs, birthday parties and libraries without problems.

The Countyman e6 seems to have come down quite a bit in price. I saw one for $319. I also saw a demo of a OSP HS 09 on YouTube. Priced at $169, it may be a good substitute.

I recall considering the directional Countryman, but now cannot recall which one I purchased. They are a bit more expensive. I am not sure if they would have any other potential drawbacks. It seems they have served Arthur well.

As Michael points out above, reading the postings of Dan McLean Jr. on TMC as well as his website is really helpful.

Arthur, In a lot of cases, a unidirectional microphone will reduce feedback but that's not always the case. Here is a quote from Dan McLean, Jr. (who is a professional sound man):

"A directional lav or earset mic is a good bet only if the speakers are outside the directional pick-up area of the mic. An earset points across the mouth, points roughly toward front-stage-left or front-stage-right (sometimes the front/rear/left/right of stage as you turn your body), and usually points almost parallel to the floor (except when you look up or down). Hence, if your speakers are overhead, and you're not using floor monitors, a directional/uni-directional/cardioid earset may be a good bet. If, however, you use side-stage speakers, one of them will probably be directly within the mic's pick-up pattern most of the time, and it then may not be a good bet. This, of course, all depends upon speaker placement and PA loudness.

Yet, again, I'm not down on uni's. I just want to make clear that the choice between uni & omni is not as simple as following the very common, very false notion that uni's offer better gain-before-feedback. Context is everything."

This comes from a thread on the Café from 2006:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......art=0#24

Also, from that same thread:

"Yep, speaker placement is a concern with all mics. Actually, in most cases, speaker & mic placement are probably MORE critical with uni mics.

With an omni mic, the two main concerns are distance & loudenss, but with a uni mic, you also need to add mic directivity to the list. As has been discussed many times here in the past, though, that directivity may be able to be worked to your advantage in certain situations.

In almost every situations, the ABSOLUTE #1 thing that needs to be done in order to help reduce the likelihood of feedback is to make the distance from the mouth to the mic as short as possible. This is the easiest way to have the most effect."

In a more recent thread for Dan, he explains why a headset mic can be the best choice:

"I've seen several posts over the past few months that concern feedback issues when using a tiny headset, and I thought I might be able to help clarify things a bit.

When it comes to the four basic types of mics that magicians use (lav, earset/tiny headset, full-size headset, handheld), the worst for feedback is the lav. The second worst is the earset. As a matter of fact, the improvement from lav to earset is only marginal when compared to the improvement from earset to full-size headset.

When comparing an earset to a full-size headset, the ONLY advantage to the earset is size/visibility. The basic advantages to the full-size headset are "gain-before-feedback" (how loud it can go without feedback), and sound quality.

While many performers view low visibility as uncompromisingly paramount, the actualities and trade-off's need to be considered.

The vogue objection that many magicians have a full-size headset is that some audience members will be distracted by its visibility. Let's look at distraction from another angle. If there's ANY feedback, then EVERY audience member will be distracted. If ANY spoken part of your show is unheard by a portion of the audience, then that portion of the audience will be distracted.

For my money, I want to be sure that;
- EVERY word I speak is heard by the audience, all the way to the back of the room, and,
- there is NEVER feedback, even if the speakers are unfortunately placed, or if it's a LOOOOONG way to the back of the room.

A couple of very good, full-size (but not huge) headsets that have excellent gain-before-feedback, are;
- Shure Beta-54
- Countryman Isomax
Both of these are made by major manufacturers, with many years of proven quality & service.

Cheers from Toronto!"

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......rum=11&7

This is the Rolls Royce of mics.

http://www.dpamicrophones.com/en/product......gory=269

I use one of these with my Anchor Explorer Pro and my Sound Projection / Sound Machine.

The even have a size for BIG headed people like me.

Lou,

What wireless system, model number, provide a link. Is the system hard wired or can you replace the mic.

What I suspect is that you might be able to use your wireless equipment and you can just replace the mic with a full headset or earset.

gothike, this is what I purchased this week:
http://www.shure.com/americas/products/w......x14-pg30

I am using this earset mic for it. It is clear and I like it because it is more secure on my head and it folds for packing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-Mini-Heads......90103607

This is what I have been using:
http://www.samsontech.com/samson/product......ynthear/
http://www.samsontech.com/samson/product......ine77hs/
http://www.samsontech.com/samson/product......oearset/

This is the sound system I am currently using:
http://www.samsontech.com/samson/product....../xp510i/

Lou,

The Samson equipment is not clear.

Can you post a link just to the body pack because you linked multiple systems.