Wireless Sennheiser G2

Hey guys!
Our company is looking into wireless mic options for our shows. We need a system that won't break the bank.

I noticed from another thread on here that someone made mention of the Sennheiser G2 series. I went online, and found that the EM-100G2 receiver is only $300 (or there about), The body packs are only $230.

That price range would work for us, but does anyone here have experience using these devices? Are they any good?

One thing we are concerned about is that we might need up to 20 systems eventually in the future, and we want a system that can be upgraded as we go. Does the 1,400 frequencies of the 100G2 mean that you can have up 20 - 30 systems all operating at the same time?

Thanks for the help,
Landon :)
 
The Sennheiser G2 series is highly regarded for its price range. I would personally say that it performs as well or better than the Shure SLX or ULX systems, to give you some idea of comparison.

As far as "1400 Frequencies" goes, pay no attention. The primary factors for the number of channels that you run are (a) the number of TV stations in your area (for now, count analog and digital; count digital on their NEW frequencies after Feb 17 or June 12th); and (b) what band(s) your units operate in. You absolutely need to coordinate your frequencies to make sure that units do not interfere with each other. Take a read over my Wireless FAQ and feel free to ask more questions!
 
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Yep, Sennheiser's 100 series is solid, a very good performer for its price range. As to how many you can run at the same time in the same place, that requires an RF evaluation of the site at the time you're using the radios. When you're working with more than a half-dozen, certainly a dozen, in-band link radio systems, this becomes far more critical than just one or two link radio systems.
 
Does anyone have any experiance or suggestions with the Sabine Wireless 2.4GHz systems?
 
Personally - I would stay away from them. I've gotten nothing better than mediocre reactions from users. Go with a quality UHF or VHF system from Sennheiser, Shure, or A-T (or Lectro, if you can afford it!).

Clarification - I am referring to the Sabine 2.4 GHz systems here.
 
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We use Sennheisers exclusively.
We have about 24 100's and We have added eight G2's dujring the past year, they are great.
We use them around the school district and are very happy with them.
I would suggest getting the antenna splitters and paddle antennae.

I am very happy with their quality, customer support, etc...

We use them for Middle/High school theatrical productions, Board of Education, and even some elementary school theater productions. They are transported often, and have proven to be durable and reliable. The AA batteries for the G2's prove to be an excellent power source and last a good long time.

After sampling many different types of lav mic's mounted to head, headsets (incl. countryman), I have found that the best bet for the money, for middle/high school theater is the Point Source CO-5. The countrymen are a little too fragile. The MKE-2 are also good for that age group, but I find the headsets easier to work with, with kids.

Message me for any other questions!
 
I use the Sennheiser 100G2 system exclusively in my theatre. I chose it because it seemed to be the best value for the money. So far the only problem I have had is abuse to a microphone from a lecturer who wound the cable from mic to transmitter so tight that the wires broke inside.
 
I'd use nothing but the sennie stuff,
If i was honest i'd have to say that i wouldn't touch shure's stuff with a barge pole!
I mean it's ok but has a weird way of doing things
 
I'd use nothing but the sennie stuff,
If i was honest i'd have to say that i wouldn't touch shure's stuff with a barge pole!
I mean it's ok but has a weird way of doing things

How so?
 
Personally - I would stay away from them. I've gotten nothing better than mediocre reactions from users. Go with a quality UHF or VHF system from Sennheiser, Shure, or A-T (or Lectro, if you can afford it!).

I have been using the Shure stuff for over 12 years, and have never had a problem. I have used the LX, UHF, ULX, UHF-R, SLX and currently have 16 of the SLX units for the almost 4 years now, with no issues. I agree that the Sennheiser stuff is great as well, but Sure makes an excellent series of products for many price points.

~Dave
 
I've hired in Shure stuff a few times and it's always gone to pot when used with alot of other units.
I must admit i might be a bit hasty in saying i wouldn't touch it but through my experience (and i've hired several different versions of the Shure units now) They've always been out performed by Sennie stuff
Hey that's just my personal view and obviously is suited to whatever sort of venue and situation your working in and around!
 
Interesting because the experiences of my RF colleagues have been WAY better with Shure than with Sennie. Note that these are colleagues who are proud to claim zero dropouts thus far and in many cases, frequency coordination requirements that would make your head spin. We've had the software tells us to keep dreaming before... The first time we used G2s on a show, we were picking up some deadspots in testing...

Might it be that your supplier doesn't keep up the maintainence regime they should or that you didn't do your freq coordination properly?

I agree with Mike that 1400 channels is just marketing rubbish. I just did a frequency coordination with no active TV channels on the Sennie G2 IEM blocks and got back a max of 18 concurrent freqs in blocks A, B, C & E and 14 in D, with each computed in isolation... Together I can 66ch across the whole spectrum and remembering this is in the middle of nowhere with no active TV chs. If I reduce the adjacent channel buffers to a minimum but non preferable level, I can get 79ch spectrum wide. Still a long way short of 1400 per block meaning 7000 total...

2.4 gig a la the Sabines is subject to all the problems of it being 2G4. Small deadspots, intereference from your microwave, cordless phones, wifi network, bluetooth etc. Antenna requirements are also different. Attenuation in coax is higher and greater care is need in terminating it to retain acceptrable loss figures. All in all, the lower the frequency the easier (within the contexts of what we are discussing here).

So agreeing with all that everyone has their own experiences, down here, Lectro is becoming less popular in favour of UHF-R, I believe the feeling is the R has a better sound to it... Lectro though are still the only people I can think of to offer a reference mic kit that works as it should (most of the time at least)

Note that cheaper model Shure, particularly around the PGX end of the market is nothing like near the audio quality of the top end stuff...
 
So agreeing with all that everyone has their own experiences, down here, Lectro is becoming less popular in favour of UHF-R, I believe the feeling is the R has a better sound to it... Lectro though are still the only people I can think of to offer a reference mic kit that works as it should (most of the time at least)

Interesting, because someone was complaining on the theatre-sound list-serv about how their UHF-R gear has been nothing but trouble. They may not have been treating it well (using moisture protection, etc), but it was interesting to read about. ABout four or five people recommended Lectro as a replacement.

As I think we've all agreed, though - your mileage WILL vary. :) Treat any (pro) gear well and it'll last you a long time.
 
Interesting, because someone was complaining on the theatre-sound list-serv about how their UHF-R gear has been nothing but trouble. They may not have been treating it well (using moisture protection, etc), but it was interesting to read about. ABout four or five people recommended Lectro as a replacement.

As I think we've all agreed, though - your mileage WILL vary. :) Treat any (pro) gear well and it'll last you a long time.

Noting that in my references we are talking about mostly in the broadcast world since noone else can afford lectro (well OK U Virginia can :p) and specifically for handhelds, which we would all agree are subject to a different raft of issues to lapels... Again, mileage may vary and application can play a big part in predisplacement to various issues...
 
Agreed.
 
I've used both, and to me it's mainly about preference. They performed about the same when I have had to use them.

However, that being said, I prefer Shure to Sennheiser. I used the SLX series all through high school, and they worked fine for me. I only used the G2 twice, and they worked just as well.

Though I am an amateur at all of this.
 

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