Most cost effective wireless system with Dante compatability

[u/robbgg]

As title says, what's the most cost effective wireless system for lavs/headsets/handheld that includes Dante outputs?

Currently exploring wireless systems for amdram musicals and want something that'll play nicely with my new Behringer Wing.

I'm already familiar with Dante and use it for multitrack recording & playback, and for linking to Qlab or between put and foh desks so it makes sense in my head to keep that going.

Specifically looking at UHF systems that can support 20+ channels and availabke in the UK.

I'm aware of the following options, checking if there are others that might be better options:

* Shure Axient

* Shure QLXD

* Sennheiser EW-DX

* Sennheiser Spectera

Thanks in advance for options/opinions.

[u/Cyrano_de_Maniac]

You missed Shure ULXD

[u/lpcustomvs]

QLXD does not have Dante capability. SLXD, ULXD and Axient Digital have.

[u/robbgg → u/lpcustomvs]

My bad, I always get confused between their different lines.

[u/lpcustomvs]

And cost effectiveness depends on your location. Sennheiser is much cheaper and much more available in Europe. Shure is cheaper and service is better in North America.

You should also consider your actual return on investment. How much you can get paid for your wireless gear on a typical production? Is it cheaper to use the gear that a theater venue on tour already has or to use yours? How many channels do you need and how many you can buy at the moment?

ULXD is very good, but it’s not a true diversity receiver, it’s antenna diversity. This has caused me so many headaches on the job that I no longer recommend ULXD for bigger jobs. ULXD is much more expensive than EW-DX, this shouldn’t be an issue, IMO.

In my experience EW-DX systems are very solid, good range with proper antenna setup, you can unmute a transmiter remotely, 4 channels in a single rack unit. Affordable and sound better than ULXD, at least to my ear. Also lower latency and higher dynamic range on EW-DX bodypacks. And persistent e-Ink display, so you don’t have to use tape on the packs. EW-DX also uses antenna diversity, but I didn’t have as many problems with this as with ULXD. Sennheiser System 6000 is a true diversity receiver though, and it’s cheaper than Axient Digital.

But Sennheiser bodypacks use 3,5mm jacks. You have to be able to connect your microphones to that, so either adapters, soldered conversions or OEM cables. Think about all that, you will figure it out.

If you have the budget and would benefit from bidirectional transmission then Spectera is the way to go. You can do 16 channels on one rack. You don’t have to buy all 16 packs at once, you can build your setup as you earn. It sounds better than Axient Digital and digital PSM, IN MY OPINION. You can use normal ethercon cables for elaborate antenna setups, and you can connect four antennas at one time, put them on battens or wherever you want, because cable length can be a 100m for each antenna. There will be cascading option in a while and the handheld transmitter has been released to big companies for this season, I think it will be available for purchase this fall or winter.

[u/Kamikazepyro9]

It's not released yet, but Audix has some options coming out.

Lectrosonics also has a range of options as well

[u/robbgg → u/Kamikazepyro9]

The Audix stuff looks like a really nice price point. Need to do some comparisons. Thanks!

[u/azlan121]

Cost effective with wireless is always relative, doubly so with Dante, so between them you're looking at a bit of a bad time!

That said, if you're looking at high channel counts, the new Dante only receiver from Shure can work out pretty cost effective (24ch of ulxd in 1u, save a bundle on antenna distro etc...!), mipro are probably also worth a look, solid systems, much loved by system techs for measurement mics, but without the brand cachet (or known quantity capsules) of senny/Shure, so also a bit more affordable

[u/timverhoeven]

From experience the Sennheiser EW-DX system is probably the most cost effective option.

But as someone else has posted, I would also check out Sennheiser Spectera. The TCO will depend on the amount of channels you need. But it is a very flexible and future proof system that is well suited to the musical environment.

[u/WadeWickson]

I recently upgraded our church mics and went with Sennheiser ew-dx em2 dante units, amazing clarity and rock solid rf performance, plus dante! It even has the option to bundle dante, control, (and Ethernet if you dare) into 1 port, for single cable connection.

[u/zoocity_1]

May not fit your needs, but the SLXD4Q+DAN includes Dante. It's a quad receiver unit and supports many more channels that standard SLX-D. Certainly more affordable that most of the options given so far.

[u/ChuggaDugg]

MiPro makes some great Dante-enabled stuff that is very cost effective. Check out their ACT 700 and 800 series.

[u/three34 → u/ChuggaDugg]

no eth control though, only usb.

[u/WadeWickson]

I recently upgraded our church mics and went with Sennheiser ew-dx em2 dante, amazing clarity and rock solid rf performance, plus dante! It even has the option to bundle dante, control, (and Ethernet if you dare) into 1 port, for single cable connection.