pumphouse Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Like many others, I have just had my cash from the government (thanks to BEIRG's efforts) for my returned radio mics and am considering my options on what to buy as a replacement. My application is mainly musical theatre, with an occasional 'louder' music gig. My old systems (and therefore existing headsets and capsules) were Shure and never gave me a moment's trouble in over 10 years of use. For top-ups I often hire Sennheisers, but these often give grief with the 3.5mm locking jack socket at the beltpack where the securing screw works loose, and I have come to hate this arrangeemnt with a passion. I have read the threads and tests on the Line6 gear with interest and while it seems to perform very well, there are 2 things that put me off - firstly that it is likely to upset the WiFi in the venue (rather than the other way round) and secondly that the hand-helds appear not to be too robust. Apart from that they are excellent value though, and I could probably easily get 12 systems for the price of the 8 that is my baseline requirement. I have fairly strong buying routes for both Shure and Sennheiser gear, and for the 8 systems I'm looking for (each with a beltbapck/capsule and Hand-Held transmitter)and antenna distribution I have quotes for G3 300 series and Shure ULX that are within a couple of hundred quid of each other. I'm really struggling to decide between them! Does anyone have any particular views on the relative strengths and weaknesses of each, or if there are any other systems I should be looking at in the same price/performance bracket? Thanks in advance, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingers Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Personally, I have no experience with the Line 6's but I do with both the shure and the Sennhiser systems. My school has had both the Shures and the Sennhisers and between the two I would go with the Sennhiser system. Like you we usually take in Sennhiser (Ew G3s) has hire top ups and they're generally good. They're an excellent 'go to set'. I'd be tempted to look at the Trantec systems. I've used both the 3.5 and 5.3 and have not got a bad word to say about them! Although, if you want a more in depth veiwpoint on them, Cedd shoud be able to help, he's got a load of the trantecs which he uses for theatrical shows. Also you can get the Trantec's with their 'racked n' ready' system, this knockes money of buying the same components sepperately but some people would prefer to spec their own distro system I guess, personal preferance really. Just my ¥1mil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyMitchell Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Does anyone have any particular views on the relative strengths and weaknesses of each, or if there are any other systems I should be looking at in the same price/performance bracket? Thanks in advance, Jason Have a look at the Trantec S5.3 "Racked & Ready". We bought 8 channels of ch.38 S5.3 earlier this year and have had great results with them. The beltpacks use a 4-pin LEMO (mini-XLR type) connector which are quick and reliable. My only criitcism is the end assembly - it's, well, let's say "Racked & Half-Ready". I would have gladly paid an extra £200 for a flightcase with recessed handles on BOTH sides, full rear rackstrip with blanking panels, powercon in/thru and receivers terminated on a 1U XLR panel, a USB hub and leads for laptop monitoring, again terminated on the blanking panel. Instead we have a flightcase with one handle, a 1U rackstrip with the antennae mounts, two looose 13a/IEC320 leads to power the thing (one for each splitter which runs 4xreceivers) and end up fiddling around connecting direct into the receivers. Oh, and no USB leads/hub. I will make these modifications myself sometime when a quiet couple of days comes up, I just have a gripe that when spending a good few thousand pounds, you shouldn't have to (or at least be given the options!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac.calder Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Shure has a big step between it's top level gear (their UHF-R and new Axient range) and their one step down - the ULX. Especially the transmitters. I have not really used much of the Sennheiser gear, so no comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Beech Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I've always owned both but favored the Sennheiser stuff, particularly when it comes to beltpack duty. The 3.5mm locking jacks have their issues as much as any other connectors do really. Is there a new ULX range that uses AA batteries or are they still stuck in the ways of PP3 costing 3 times the price per change? I'm sure all the manufacturers do very similar things when they update a model, but I must admit, I've stuck it out and beared with it, but come on Sennheiser, new rack mount kits again? No GB range passive boosters to use my ASP2's? Different spring belt clips for the beltpacks so I can't use my stock of spares, different capsule changing mechanism so I can't . I can see why some people might want to go over to Shure, you've not lost me yet but a few really cheeky stunts like that isn't doing you any favours. Anyway, if all else fails you can buy your old stuff back off of them.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I agree with the above comments about Sennheiser vs. Shure. I've used both (though not the latest Shures) and have a slight preference for the Sennies. One other consideration might be that, if and when you need to rent extra channels, you'll find it easier to get more of the Sennheisers. Sticking to the same brand always makes cramming extra channels in a bit easier. Heck, you might even be able to rent from Rob! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac.calder Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 ULX are still PP3. I am not a fan of the ULX at all... UHF-R's are the bee's knees in my mind, and Axient looks to be a game changer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedd Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I'm a well documented Trantec fan. The argument for me was always between Sennheiser and Trantec. Never really looked at Shure due to a bad experience with some of their (admittedly cheaper) gear.Sennheiser have the better software monitoring package - the spectrum analyser and plot function are very nice. That said, when it comes to running a show, I actually find the Trantec display a little easier to view and get a quick idea what's going on.One AA for 8 hours safe running is excellent and the handhelds are nice and robust. The battery compartment may be the weak link but the parts are only a tenner. Oh, and they're cheaper that the Sennheiser's by quite a bit too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinE Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Ive always preferred Shure because they seem more likely to survive being dropped. Ive changed more Senn open-circuit capsules after being dropped than shure..which normally keep going..look at the number of shures that have dented windshields!Also alot of the Senns seem to fly apart at the bottom if dropped, buttons flying off, lcd displays getting cracked etc. Sennheiser now only supply spares through retailers, unless you are a Sennheiser main dealer. This is a PITA because the retailers rarely know what they're talking about when it comes to spares and part numbers. Of course I only see things when they go wrong, thats my job... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pumphouse Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 Thanks for all the replies. More food for thought. Might need to be getting my soldering iron out on my existing capsules..." I am not a fan of the ULX at all... UHF-R's are the bee's knees in my mind, and Axient looks to be a game changer. What is it about the ULX that you don't like? Jason Also, with the Trantec stuff, this looks like it uses the same TA4 connector that the shure systems use. Is the pinout the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac.calder Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 The ULX transmitters ar plastic - and they feel it... It feels cheap and nasty in the hand. They use 9V (PP3) batteries - and are not overly efficient on them either. UHF-R transmitters are aluminium. They feel like a mic should feel. Uses AA batteries and you can get a good 7-8 hours out of a pair. There is a bit of difference in the sound you get out of both - the ULX is fine for speech, but looses something when it comes to singers. It just sounds like it cannot handle the dynamic range - to the best of my knowledge, all radio mics use fairly brutal companding circuits to save bandwidth - ULXs just seem to fall over a bit there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelgrian Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Does anyone have any particular views on the relative strengths and weaknesses of each, or if there are any other systems I should be looking at in the same price/performance bracket? I've now had 6 different Sennheiser G3 beltpacks die with what I term 'wobbly socket syndrome'. It appears that the screwdown 3.5mm socket is directly soldered to the PCB and under mechanical action the solder cracks causing AF noise as small forces are applied as the actor(ress) move about. When returning the beltbacks to Sennheiser they accused us of 'overtightening' the screwdown socket. We knew we hadn't as we'd been very careful but quite frankly if you can tighten it enough to break it with fingers then it isn't designed adequately. I've not used UHF-R, Sennheiser Evolution is cheaper and seems to be carried by hire companies rather than UHF-R. Shure Axient and Sennheiser 3000/5000 series are in a completely different price bracket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fincaman Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 are they still stuck in the ways of PP3 costing 3 times the price per change?.. I bought some 500 mah li-on PP3s with a charger from EBay, my beltpacks take 42 ma, on test I got 12 hours plus so they paid for themselves in no time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Thing with rechargeable battery aint so much the current,but the voltage.Elcheepos often only give out 7.2v ( 6 x 1.2 v cells,normal battery's 6 cells at 1.5v is 9v) the better quality use 7 cells to give 8.4 volts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fincaman Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Thing with rechargeable battery aint so much the current,but the voltage.Elcheepos often only give out 7.2v ( 6 x 1.2 v cells,normal battery's 6 cells at 1.5v is 9v) the better quality use 7 cells to give 8.4 volts Fully charged they give 8.4v ( two cells at 4.2v each) which drops as they discharge the "LO BATT" did not come on until 12 hours had passed and performance remained flawless. I presume most transmitters use a regulator and work off about 6 or 7v so that battery voltages don't affect them unless you let them get really discharged. To me it's no contest I have slashed my battery costs with better performance than Duracell PP3's which I've tested at about 450 Mah 10.7 hours on my belt-packs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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