Tired of tangled wires tripping you up onstage? Then ditch the cord and go wireless! But with so many options out there, how do you find the mic that rocks as hard as you do? Fear not, fellow musicians and performers! This blog post is your backstage pass to the Top 5 Best Wireless Microphones, ready to amplify your voice and unleash your inner rockstar. Let’s get to it!
The Top 5 Best Wireless Microphones
The 24-bit SLXD24D is the dual handheld model of the SLX-D wireless lineup. The receiver here is made with scalability in mind, being able to handle up to 32 systems on the 44MHz band and 12 systems on the 8MHZ. The 6MHz band, however, only supports 10 channels.
Included in the package are SLXD2 transmitters with Beta 58 vocal capsules. With a max SPL of 145dB, a neodymium magnet, a frequency response of 50Hz–16kHz, and a super-cardioid pattern, these mics are quite focused and sensitive. However, the system is also compatible with other mics, including the dynamic SM58, the condenser Beta 87A/C, and the dualdyne dynamic KSM8.
Pros
- Wide dynamic range (120 dB) to reduce the impact of compression
- Lots of room for scaling up your wireless system as you go
- Compatibility with the ShurePlus Channels app for remote monitoring and control
Cons
- Slightly heavy receiver (3.2 lbs without the antennas)
- Relatively high price point
The wireless XS dual system from Sennheiser supports eight frequency banks, and each one contains up to 10 preset channels. This model, however, is the A-range, with a bandwidth of 548–572MHz. The antennas on the receiver are integrated and non-detachable, though.
XSW comes with two handheld transmitters, each featuring an 835 double superheterodyne capsule with warm sound and decent off-axis rejection. The signal-to-noise ratio on these mics is ≥ 103 dBA. Meanwhile, their frequency response is 80Hz–16kHz.
Pros
- Mic heads sound warm and have nice high-end detail
- Internal antennas give the chassis a sleeker look and cut the need for dismantling
- Easy setup with a Quick Guide
Cons
- No rack-mounting capabilities (table-top receiver chassis only)
- Plastic ABS housing feels a bit cheap
Audio-Technica’s ATW-1322 system comes with two T1002 mics transmitters. The dynamic range on these mics is 109 dB. For the receiving end, the set includes the RC13 rack-mount dual-unit chassis.
Since the chassis is only a half-rack, you can set up four wireless channels on a single rack space with a total of 10 simultaneous channels per band. It’s also possible to release the antenna units and mount them separately using a standard Ethernet cable. The operating range, in this case, will be up to 328’.
Pros
- Lightweight transmitter (merely 0.22 lbs) for easier handling
- Receiver units can be mounted to stands or mounted on walls using the included receiver holder
- Efficient use of your rack space
Cons
- Non-interchangeable mic capsules
The AP42 OM5 features two H60 transmitters and one R42 two-channel receiver with 106 pre-coordinated frequencies, operating over a 300’ line-of-sight range. The set is available in two frequency band options. But we went with the B-band model here.
A few OM series dynamic capsules and VX5 condenser capsules work on the H60 transmitters. However, the mic capsules that come with the set are the dynamic OM5 with a max SPL of 144 dB. These heads feature Audix’s VLM (Very Low Mass) diaphragm, improving the transient response and sound reproduction.
Pros
- Rugged metal housing feels premium and is suitable for touring
- Tight pattern on the VLM capsule for extra vocal clarity and excellent off-axis rejection
- Slim mic body with a scratch-resistant grille for easier handling and more durability
Cons
- Slightly heavy receiver (4.75 lbs) and transmitters (0.68 lbs each)
Rather than using a rack-mountable or even a table-top receiver for this wireless mic set, JBL opted for a receiver that you plug into your speakers directly via a ¼” output. The receiver doesn’t run on a DC power supply, though. Instead, it’s rechargeable via a USB connection. That said, you wouldn’t want to use the system while charging the receiver because the connection could create some noise interference.
Pros
- Surprisingly high audio quality from such affordable mics
- Lightweight (0.12 lbs) and highly portable receiver
- Plug-and-play design process cuts the hassle out of the setup process
Cons
- Requires charging in advance (2-hour charging time)
- No XLR outputs available on the receiver
- Relatively narrow operating range (32’ only)