Wireless: Shure ULX or X-Wire (or other)?

RAM · #1 10-01-2007, 10:25 PM

In my quest to find a way to minimize the cables in my setup, I've been contemplating which wireless would be best for my needs. Lately, I seem to have narrowed my choices down to two: X-Wire or Shure ULXS.

They both seem to have excellent frequency range for bass, and both seem well received.

Forgetting price, which one of these do you prefer, and why?

jambassist · #2 10-02-2007, 05:42 AM

i have the shure ulx and love it. it's not digital, but i've had no problems with it and it sounds (to me) as good as a cable. i look at it this way, shure's been doing this stuff for a long time and a lot touring bands are using shure wireless. granted touring bands are using the high end series from shure, but the ulx-s is a quality unit for the average working person.

there's extenive threads on both in this forum, but that's only going to go so far. if you can, try both in your circumstances and see which one YOU like better.

RAM · #3 10-02-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambassist

i have the shure ulx and love it. it's not digital, but i've had no problems with it and it sounds (to me) as good as a cable. i look at it this way, shure's been doing this stuff for a long time and a lot touring bands are using shure wireless. granted touring bands are using the high end series from shure, but the ulx-s is a quality unit for the average working person.

there's extenive threads on both in this forum, but that's only going to go so far. if you can, try both in your circumstances and see which one YOU like better.

Thanks for your feedback!

I've tried to do as much reading as I can, but there's so much information out there, this is one of those cases where it's too much to wade through.

A lot of people seem to like their X-Wire and lots like their Shure wireless, as well. I'm hoping some will have more constructive feedback, particularly regarding the pluses and minuses of each, in comparison to one-another. Some feel digital can't be beat, but I've also read reviews where there were complaints that the X-Wire doesn't sound "natural" (perhaps) because of the conversion from analog to digital and back to analog.

**SoComSurfing** · #4 10-02-2007, 08:06 PM

When you say "X-Wire", are you referring to the original or the X2?

RAM · #5 10-02-2007, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoComSurfing

When you say "X-Wire", are you referring to the original or the X2?

X2...it's far easier to come by, and the pedalboard model is also significantly less expensive than the original.

**SoComSurfing** · #6 10-02-2007, 10:16 PM

Ok, that clears up my major concern of the original X-Wire. I LOVE having mine, but the very large (2ru) receiver is it's biggest drawback, IMO. The transmitter is also a little on the heavy side, if you ask me. I've not tried the X2.

As much as I like my X-Wire, if I get to the point where I can justify another $700-$1k wireless, there's a good chance I'll be going with the Shure ULX or UHF series simply because of a lighter transmitter and smaller receiver.

I did have a very good experience with the X-Wire on an outdoor gig last year where I knew there would be excellent PA support and my favorite engineer was running sound. He was familiar with my equipment, style, and tone (I was his assistant in one of the larger commercial studios in town for a few years), so he told me to bring nothing but my Modulus, X-Wire, and DI of my choice. I velcro'd a J-Retro stompbox in the back of a two-space rack, and stuck the X-Wire in front, then hid the rack behind the drummer. It made for a nice, clean stage since everyone else was going direct w/ acoustic instruments.

Basshole · #7 10-02-2007, 10:32 PM

My X-wire sounds so good, I wouldn't hesitate to use it in the studio!

kbr · #8 10-04-2007, 01:06 PM

I've been messing around with my X2 XDR95 rackmount wireless for a couple of days and the only complaint I have about it is the rack ears are hard to put on (You need a socket wrench and all I had was a screwdriver) and the transmitter takes a 9v battery. I have found 9v rechargables to be inferior to their AA cousins so it is a bit of a minus for me. The tone is the best I've heard from a wireless and I like the XLR and seperate 1/4" out. It also works from one side of my church to the other which is a good 400 feet.