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Guidance wanted on first IEM wireless system

cchorney

cchorney

Supporting Member
Oct 21, 2010
1,928
1,490
Meriden, CT
#1
I recently bought my first pair of custom IEMs (1964Ears v6 Stage, love them). I've been using them via a headphone extension cable to the snake for the last month or so, but the plan is to get a wireless system. But on reviewing the specs, I find myself getting more and more lost, not more and more sure, of what I'm doing. So I am asking for help, either with advice or with a link to advice.

My band operates in Connecticut, we do mostly bars and restaurants. I know the wireless systems operate on different bands of frequencies, with the more expensive ones having either more frequency ranges or higher ranges (which are further from the frequency ranges populated by ty signals, cordless phones, etc).

I have looked at the Shure frequency Finder and the Sennheiser frequency chart, so I have a sense that the higher ranges are better, and than more are better, and that the more expensive units offer both. However, I'm trying to keep my purchase under $1000US.

Two of my band mates have Sennheiser ew 300 IEM G3's so it's a temptation to get one of those just because their's seem to work. But they got theirs on a recommendation so they can't really say if buying a Shure equivalent or an Audio Technica equivalent or even a Galaxy Audio system would work as well, but for less money. Another band mate has a $300 no name system that's no longer made, but he's happy with it - too bad it's no longer made.

Here's what Musician's Friend carries, and frankly the array of choices overwhelms me, because I don't know what to look for or what will be sufficient. Invalid Link Removed

Advice please?
 
#2
I upgraded to the Senn G3 IEM's a few months ago... very happy.. I also use 1964 Ears Qi's, so buds have never been a consideration. Never taken the E4 buds out of the plastic.
What I like about the G3 is the scanner in the receiver... lets you pick the best open frequencies as you are sharing the spectrum with local TV stations. YOU can track those per venue, so it's simple to go back to the best channel for that venue.
It also uses the wire in your buds as additional antennas, has adjustable limiters, "focus" mode, adjustable transmission levels, upgradeable firmware, pilot tone and other features. Have a look at the OM.

I run a "G" band unit, because that's what both the Senn/Shure frequency finders recommended - based on local TV stations - in my area.
You may get a different recommendation for you locale.

I've also used Carvin EM900, PSM200, older AT unit (forget the model, but it's now in the police band and no longer legal), and Galaxy AS1100.
Not much between them, but one needs to check/find the best frequencies. That's trial and error with those.. pick one until you don't get dropouts.

A note on "check/find the best frequencies".
Given the nature of wireless, interference will vary based on location and number of TV channels/strength broadcasting locally. You will find that in one venue a specific frequency is crystal clear, no dropouts, hiss or noise. In another venue a mile down the road, it will have all of those artifacts, and you will have to chose another frequency/channel. The G3 facilitates that by scanning and recommending best channel to chose. Make a note of it for each venue and set the G3 to that frequency next time you go there!

If it were me, I'd bite the bullet and get a G3 unit.
 
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#4
musicman7722 said:
I agree though one band member of mine just got the Carvin IEM unit. he uses better buds and they sound fine. I use the Senn G3
Click to expand...
I used the Carvin for a couple of years.. it was mostly fine, but occasionally I got dropouts and interference using a fixed frequency... I managed to bypass most of it by using it's upper frequencies.
Obviously, if the band is using multiple units, one needs to insure band separation, as you probably don't want the drummers IEM mix :)
 
#5
@s0c9 I have to echo your experience with the carvin EM900. I get dropouts and they are noisy (using various different earbuds). It's usable for gigs but I would upgrade if I could afford to.
I borrowed the drummer's Shure system (using my own earbuds of course) and the sound quality was instantly noticeable as better.
 
#6
morgansterne said:
@s0c9 I have to echo your experience with the carvin EM900. I get dropouts and they are noisy (using various different earbuds). It's usable for gigs but I would upgrade if I could afford to.
I borrowed the drummer's Shure system (using my own earbuds of course) and the sound quality was instantly noticeable as better.
Click to expand...
Which PSM system?
I've used the PSM200 for a bit, and I didn't think there was much between them and the Carvin... both had dropouts, which of course varied based on venue.
 
#7
s0c9 said:
Which PSM system?
I've used the PSM200 for a bit, and I didn't think there was much between them and the Carvin... both had dropouts, which of course varied based on venue.
Click to expand...

I think his is the PSM300, but I'm not totally sure. I just used it at rehearsal, so I don't know how it behaves in different venues. My carvin system, though, has similar noise and dropouts everywhere I've used it. I have upped the frequency but this sunday I think I'll try raising it higher and see what it sounds like.
 
#8
morgansterne said:
I think his is the PSM300, but I'm not totally sure. I just used it at rehearsal, so I don't know how it behaves in different venues. My carvin system, though, has similar noise and dropouts everywhere I've used it. I have upped the frequency but this sunday I think I'll try raising it higher and see what it sounds like.
Click to expand...
I think I had mine set to [almost] the top available frequency. I didn't have much noise, stil got [some] dropouts, but they tended to be venue specific. Some locations were great and clean, some were horrible.. Let us know how it works out for you..
PS: With the G3, 99.9% of those issues have gone.
 
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#9
I or my band mates have used various Shure models, they've been problematic. We have 2 Senn G3's and they are rock solid. Plus, the screens and meters are very easy to use for debugging any offending frequencies (should they exist which is rare).
With the Senn's the main reason band range is important is if you want to have 1 base transmit to multiple receivers. In my band both our units are band B just so we have the option of using various transmitter and receiver combinations.
 
#13
I've been thinking of going IEM for awhile now. I play bass and mix from stage, and using a Line 6 wireless for bass. My concern is having the Line 6 transmitter on my strap, and adding a receiver now as well. Anyone doing this? Any problems having a transmitter and receiver so close? I might add that I'm also using a digital mixer with 5GHz router to tablet as a control surface. So far the router and Line 6 work well together, but concerned about adding more wireless stuff when we play small stages mostly.
 
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#15
mtsens1 said:
Any problems having a transmitter and receiver so close? I might add that I'm also using a digital mixer with 5GHz router to tablet as a control surface. So far the router and Line 6 work well together, but concerned about adding more wireless stuff when we play small stages mostly.
Click to expand...

I use a line 6 wireless unit and carvin IEM's at pretty much every gig. As long as they're not right next to each other, it works fine. There is some significant noise if I forget and put them next to each other. The line 6 sits on my strap on the right and I keep the IEM beltpack on my left. In one band we also have a wireless router (built in to the behringer xr18) and we haven't had any problems with that either.
 
#16
morgansterne said:
I use a line 6 wireless unit and carvin IEM's at pretty much every gig. As long as they're not right next to each other, it works fine. There is some significant noise if I forget and put them next to each other. The line 6 sits on my strap on the right and I keep the IEM beltpack on my left. In one band we also have a wireless router (built in to the behringer xr18) and we haven't had any problems with that either.
Click to expand...
Thanks Morgan! I'm also using XR18, but with a dual band router. I may try the Carvin to see how IEM works for me. Sounds like a good place to start for me considering my current budget.
 

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