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Galaxy Audio UHF vs XVive U45 5.8GHz ??

pfschim

Just a Skeleton with a Jazz bass
Supporting Member
Apr 26, 2006
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SF Bay Area
I'm looking at modestly priced wireless IEM base and receivers, like XVive U45 and Galaxy Audio. I'm wondering about the real world difference between UHF (Galaxy) and 5.8GHz (XVive). This will be a small 2 IEM system for a duo I'm in. Small/Medium venues and close proximity (10-20ft at most) to the PA mixer right now ... and I just don't want to drop the $1K+ for a Shure or Senn system at this point.

so, am I likely to see very different performance between these two systems. Both are about the same $$ for a 2 receiver system.
 
What specific performance differences are you expecting or concerned about?

Broadly speaking, pretty much any properly designed IEM system, from entry-level to high-end can work perfectly well, especially in the context of small gigs. In typical, non-challenging environments, meaningful differences in "performance" aren't likely to stand out. Differences start to matter when the operating environment becomes challenging. And in general, higher price tends to correlate with greater ability to handle challenges with features (mainly/solely UHF) involving wider operating bandwidth, more available channel presets, manual tuning options, auto-scan features, and higher and/or selectable RF power. If a system that can’t cope with challenges, that’s when people say, “this system sucks.”

UHF, 2.4GHz, and 5.8GHz IEM systems all have different strengths, limitations, and tradeoffs. Each band has its own susceptibility to ways of dealing with operating environment challenges.

I don’t have direct experience with the two specific models you mentioned, but assuming neither faces insurmountable challenges in a given case, the most noticeable differences between UHF and current digital systems tend to be user involvement in setup/channel selection and frequency response. Most current digital systems are pair and go. UHF systems usually require some level of manual frequency selection as well as it being a good idea to inform yourself as to the RF use in given areas (checking a frequency finder before going). If you don’t view that as a hassle, then this difference may not matter to you. If you value quick, low-fuss setup, digital can feel significantly easier...it does to me. And analog UHF systems are limited by their architecture and often have LF rolloff specs as high as 90Hz. Digital systems are capable of passing a full-range signal. Personally, I only find LF rolloff differences are noticeable in sit-down A/B listening. On a gig, ambient bass (from PA subs and stage sound) overrides the perception of where the ears are rolling off. So, not very different for me, but if you want everything including true sub-bass passing through the IEM receiver, this could be a meaningful difference for you.

I think the bottom line is that either can be fine given ok conditions that are typical for small bar/club gigs. There are differences that can be subjective in their importance, but the real differences tend to show up when conditions get complicated and they can be crippling on either side with the answer being to throw money at it. I have a super cheap UHF system that I bought on a lark just to satisfy my curiosity ($89 that I paid $30 for because I had some Amazon points) and so long as one of its 10 fixed frequency presets is clear, it works just fine. Would that be enough to take it out on a gig? Hell no. But I bought it with the expectation that it would be riddled with interference or somehow sound obviously cheap...if it has a clear signal, it's perfectly fine.
 
thanks for the typically thorough reply DrP. I would mostly be concerned about interference within the venues where it would be used vs any kind of fidelity issues. I'm thinking that given the almost identical price for the units I mentioned, I will likely just go with the XVive U45 unit with 2 receivers and just see how they work in this particular duo application. Seems pretty low risk for the $$ involved.
 
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thanks for the typically thorough reply DrP. I would mostly be concerned about interference within the venues where it would be used vs any kind of fidelity issues. I'm thinking that given the almost identical price for the units I mentioned, I will likely just go with the XVive U45 unit with 2 receivers and just see how they work in this particular duo application. Seems pretty low risk for the $$ involved.
My $0.02.
I have UHF units for bass and IEM within the "legal" 450-608 MHz range. UHF is technically 300 MHz -> 3 GHz (3,000 MHz)
UHF also includes ISM bands (there's quite a few incl 5.8GHz), Bluetooth (yes, BT is in the 2.4G range we all know and love), and 900 MHz bands.
The 5.8G devices I have used (not much experience with them) have worked as well as my UHF units.
That said, given @drpepper's commentary above, it's more about where and how one uses them.
Either should work, but as of now fewer vendors are producing 5.8G devices, bit it IS less crowded.
Given the FCC's desire to sell off the spectrum, we might lose UHF all together and be forced to the upper bands!
YMMV

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thanks for the typically thorough reply DrP. I would mostly be concerned about interference within the venues where it would be used vs any kind of fidelity issues. I'm thinking that given the almost identical price for the units I mentioned, I will likely just go with the XVive U45 unit with 2 receivers and just see how they work in this particular duo application. Seems pretty low risk for the $$ involved.
Sounds like a plan :bassist:
 
I have had great luck using a Galaxy IEM rig for...remote speakers. I didn't spend much time with them as IEM. What time I did spend said, not as clear as my Shure PSM-300/64 Audio rig. Of course the Shure rig was double the cost of the Galaxy...

I think Galaxy gets slagged for their little dual 4" monitors. Their engineering and tech support is really good.
 
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So what is the bottom line? I am considering buying an in ear monitor system. I play drums in a small venue bar band. Does the Galaxy UHF system produce less interference with its 15 channel selections and should I purchase the galaxy ASD 700 over the Xvive U45?
 
So what is the bottom line? I am considering buying an in ear monitor system. I play drums in a small venue bar band. Does the Galaxy UHF system produce less interference with its 15 channel selections and should I purchase the galaxy ASD 700 over the Xvive U45?
If it were my choice I’d go with the 5.8G U45 just because it 5.8.
The ASD700 has a 16Mhz bandwidth (not great) but has 2 models - CODE B5 550-569MHz, Frequency CODE B6 571-585MHz with 15 channels.
The U45 doesn’t give bandwidth specs but does have 6 channels and channel scan.
Both need USB recharging so if they die, you can’t just pop in another set of batteries.