Low budget headset mics

Ben Lawrence

Ben Lawrence

Senior
Mar 2, 2011
1,187
29
48
Vermont
vtaudiovisual.com
Anyone used any of the low budget headset mics?
I am familiar with the countryman and happy with the microphone madness mics but need to purchase around 10 or so for a High school production. I have found in the past they are less than gentle with some of these more expensive models. Just checking to see if anyone has had good results with the lower price options out there on ebay and amazon and if so feel free to link models.
 
For this type of application I have been using the below units. They are about 15.00 on ebay. Something happens throw them away. They have been working fine and actually lasting longer then I expected. I believe these only come with the Shure T4 connector but may be wrong on that. I heard about them on a similar discussion on psw. Have about 20 of them.

Pyle-Pro PMHMS20 Wired Headset Boom Mini XLR Omni-Directional Microphone New
 
They also come in a locking 1/8" connector, albeit the thread is the wrong gender to match up with Sennheiser ew transmitters. Never the less, I've had great luck with these cheap-o things. The capsule is larger but not prohibitively large, and the sound quality is compatible to MM audio. I've found that the rigid headband on the Pyle gives presenters a more consistent and secure fit than MM or e6, but not DPA, Point Source, or H6.

The price is right, try for yourself. Also, I've been getting mine at Full Compass. They keep them in stock.

thomas d.
 
I see the locking gender is backwards. The cable end looks like it does not have all the conductors either. I think all the other mics I have used with these have the TRS configuration. I will order a couple options to test.
 
I purchased one of these which is amazing for the money. It is imilar to the one Dave posted. The connector fits perfectly in a Shure transmitter pack.
 
Ben Lawrence said:
I see the locking gender is backwards. The cable end looks like it does not have all the conductors either. I think all the other mics I have used with these have the TRS configuration. I will order a couple options to test.
Click to expand...

That's correct, the cable it just TS. I can confirm that it works fine with Sennheiser ew100 and 300, G2 and G3. Also, when I first got them I was super freaked out about the non-locking connector. After using them for about a year and half I have never had one pop out or cause any problems.

thomas d.
 
Mike Caldwell said:
Yes, the double ear hook style is a lot more secure. The Pyle mics suggested do work well, how do they do it so cheap!!! Only thing though is the head band does not adjust.
Click to expand...

Mike,

That's not correct. There may be an older model that is fixed, but the ones I've purchased in the last ~6 months do adjust. The headband has a DPA style telescope on the headband wires. Of course, it's much more delicate than a more serious mic, but it hasn't been a failure point on any of mine yet.

thomas d.



 
Last edited:
Thomas Dameron said:
Mike,

That's not correct. There may be an older model that is fixed, but the ones I've purchased in the last ~6 months do adjust. The headband has a DPA style telescope on the headband wires. Of course, it's much more delicate than a more serious mic, but it hasn't been a failure point on any of mine yet.

thomas d.
Click to expand...

So I was the one who was wrong. Mike was correct that the headband is not adjustable. You can slide how much the mic booms out past the ear, but not the headband sizing. Also, the mic has to come from the left ear, the side is not reversible.

My bad,
thomas d.
 
Ben Lawrence said:
I ended up getting these
http://www.bodymics.com/xbe5-earset.html
Via ebay for around 20$ a unit. I did not get a chance to do any thorough testing but the client was very happy with them and actually went out of the way to comment on the new mics. We have been using mmadness units previously so I am looking forward to doing an A/B with them.
Click to expand...

Let me know how they compare. This would be great for a few places I know of to take a look at.
 
Top Bottom