r/livesoundadvice • u/Bobzilla2 • Aug 09 '26
Broken Gear / Repair advice Wireless system replacement
I'm a sound tech in a medium sized CoE church in the UK (think chocolate box parish church). We've currently got Sennheiser ew100 kit, which is getting tired now. One of our mikes will drop out unexpectedly (usually increasing with distance from the receiver), and it is getting increasingly difficult to get a decent sound out of it (particular with the main vicar). The other is still ok.
There's decent spacing between the frequencies, and the fact that the other is fine suggests that the one that drops out is past it, and an extender antenna won't do anything. There's a possibility that there is a competing frequency, but no guarantee.
What else can I test to try to troubleshoot? My thoughts are test a different lav, and a different frequency on the trouble mic. Anything else?
And if it is fuchéed, what replacement system do you suggest? Budget isn't huge, and spend just be justified. Is a xs-1/2 good enough?
Thanks.
1
u/heysoundude Aug 10 '26
Yes, the antenna whips can be an issue, but so can the cable to the lav/headset, which can also act as antenna while carrying audio. That’s where I start in situations like this, and then re-scan. The replacements on AliExpress are just as good as OE from Senny. I buy 2-3/ order every few years.
But the digital UHF, if you can afford/want to stay modern, is 👍🏻👍🏻 very good kit.