Pink AKG C417 replacement and lav caps in general

[mrg198]

I have 12 sets of Sennheiser EW300 G2 kit which I use for a mixture of conferences/presentations and hire to amateur groups for musicals.

 

I started off using the ME2 capsules they came with but find that the cables/plugs break after a while and while they can usually be resuscitated by cutting the plug off and soldering a new one on it's a bit of a pain. For some variety I also purchased 4 AKG C417 mics in pink, cut the mini-XLR plugs off and soldered locking 3.5mm jacks on. These mics are more robust and the cable has steel wires to strengthen it but a little more expensive (about £60 + VAT once you've replaced the plug).

 

I went to get some more the other day but they are no longer available in the UK in pink it seems and I'm not sure where to go from here. The next thing up the AKG range is the WR/77 but they are about £150 ea or sennheiser MKE2 which seem to be around £120 ea. The MKE2 seem to come in about 5 different versions and I don't really understand the differences (MKE2-C, Platinum, gold spot etc...). Can anyone explain please?

 

What do others think/find? The amateur groups don't have a lot of money to spend and also provide more wear and tear than when I use a few clipped to a shirt for a presentation! I don't want to spend a lot on capsules that get a hard time and have to be replaced often, but I also want stuff that is reliable.

 

For my own use, I'd like to get a few decent, reliable lavs for use on presentations were I can't afford for them to fail and I'm prepared to spend more for a reliable, robust product but I'm not sure what to get!

 

Help or advice greattfully received!

 

Michael

[AndyL]

I have 12 sets of Sennheiser EW300 G2 kit which I use for a mixture of conferences/presentations and hire to amateur groups for musicals.

 

<SNIP> The MKE2 seem to come in about 5 different versions and I don't really understand the differences (MKE2-C, Platinum, gold spot etc...). Can anyone explain please?

 

Here goes....

 

For evolution Wireless use the MKE 2-ew Gold is the version you want. It comes terminated with a factory moulded screw locking jack plug for evolution Wireless and unlike the other MKE 2 variants the attachment clips are included with the -ew versions!

 

If you want the beige version it is MKE 2-ew-3 Gold.

 

The MKE 2 has a steel cable whereas the humble ME 2 has a much softer copper cable. The steel cable is much more robust.

 

The "Gold" suffix indicates the presence of the umbrella diaphragm which reduces sweat / moisture damage to the capsule.

 

The many other bewildering types of MKE 2 available are all to do with different connector types for historic types of Sennheiser radio mics or for connection directly to the mixer or with a K6 power module. And there are bare ended versions too with various sensitivities. I can elaborate if you really want me to (you don't, you really don't :D )...

[mrg198]

I have 12 sets of Sennheiser EW300 G2 kit which I use for a mixture of conferences/presentations and hire to amateur groups for musicals.

 

<SNIP> The MKE2 seem to come in about 5 different versions and I don't really understand the differences (MKE2-C, Platinum, gold spot etc...). Can anyone explain please?

 

Here goes....

 

For evolution Wireless use the MKE 2-ew Gold is the version you want. It comes terminated with a factory moulded screw locking jack plug for evolution Wireless and unlike the other MKE 2 variants the attachment clips are included with the -ew versions!

 

If you want the beige version it is MKE 2-ew-3 Gold.

 

The MKE 2 has a steel cable whereas the humble ME 2 has a much softer copper cable. The steel cable is much more robust.

 

The "Gold" suffix indicates the presence of the umbrella diaphragm which reduces sweat / moisture damage to the capsule.

 

The many other bewildering types of MKE 2 available are all to do with different connector types for historic types of Sennheiser radio mics or for connection directly to the mixer or with a K6 power module. And there are bare ended versions too with various sensitivities. I can elaborate if you really want me to (you don't, you really don't :D )...

 

Would the MKE -2 -ew Gold be a good choice for my presentation application - i.e. reliable, quality sound with reasonable GBF?

 

As for the amateur gropus application, Are the MKE 2s a good choice or should I look more to the AKG WR/77 or stick with C417s (for black at least).

[AndyL]

 

Would the MKE -2 -ew Gold be a good choice for my presentation application - i.e. reliable, quality sound with reasonable GBF?

 

As for the amateur gropus application, Are the MKE 2s a good choice or should I look more to the AKG WR/77 or stick with C417s (for black at least).

 

I don't have any personal experience of the AKG mics to which you refer to so I cannot give you any comparative opinions. The factory moulded plug on a steel cable should be a vast step up in terms of reliability when used with evolution Wireless Tx's - If you deduct the cost of the time and materials you spend re-terminating other mics from the price then I think they will pay for themselves quite easily - others on here will no doubt soon tell me if I am wrong!

 

The question of sound quality is a difficult one, in this respect I can definitely say that the MKE 2 is clearly a far better mic than the ME 2 and will almost certainly give you better gain-before-feedback than the ME 2. How the sound of the MKE 2 ranks against other similar microphones though is ultimately a very subjective question. If it were not such a matter of personal taste then perhaps DPA, Countryman, Sanken, Tram, Sony, etc. might not all be in the miniature mic business. They all have their officionados (or have had...). Perhaps a poll is in order?