Wireless Sennheiser Evolution Wireless G4 Announced

cekren

Active Member
Looks like the G4 series is set to release in April! Not seeing much of an upgrade, at least in the 100-series. The G3 series introduced a much easier to navigate menu system, software lockable mute switches, IR sync, and some other nice features. G4 looks to have rack mounts included with every model, something to make multi-system coordination and syncing easier for the 100 series, and backlit IR. 300- and 500-series gets OLED displays, up to 88MHz switching bandwidth, Dante-enabled, and some new single SKU combo kits. Still analog. Thoughts?

https://en-us.sennheiser.com/wireless-microphone-system-evolution-g4
 
As long as they are backward compatible (on basic features) and durable. I really like the Sennheiser products, although the G3's (handheld) seem to not survive electronics damage from drops as well as the G2's did. I am also not sure about the future of Analog. I have a number of G1's, now 12 years old, and they work great, so it's not the equipment future I worry about, it is more the FCC deciding we are not important and throwing us under the bus! Would love to see a move toward changeable RF units so they didn't become dumpster fodder at the whim of the FCC.
 
As long as they are backward compatible (on basic features) and durable. I really like the Sennheiser products, although the G3's (handheld) seem to not survive electronics damage from drops as well as the G2's did. I am also not sure about the future of Analog. I have a number of G1's, now 12 years old, and they work great, so it's not the equipment future I worry about, it is more the FCC deciding we are not important and throwing us under the bus! Would love to see a move toward changeable RF units so they didn't become dumpster fodder at the whim of the FCC.

As much as I disagree with the FCC in a number of current matters they are anything but whimsical. It's about money and Congress telling the FCC that being Trustee of the public airwaves means making money for that public (yeah, I'll wait for my cheque). This realignment has been in the making for the better part of 10 years (since the previous one that coincided with the DTV roll out).

I don't recall how many US$billions were made from the 10 year license auctions of the 600 mHz band but that's what it's all about (the hokey pokey not withstanding) but our uses are small change in the grand scheme of things. Frankly the people most likely to use these newly licensed spectrum bands don't give a rat's patootie our problems, either.

When you see someone watching Netflix on their brand new TMobile device, thank them for taking our spectrum (with as much or little sarcasm as you like).

G4 - word is backwards compatible with G3. Ah, analog!
 
As much as I disagree with the FCC in a number of current matters they are anything but whimsical. It's about money and Congress telling the FCC that being Trustee of the public airwaves means making money for that public (yeah, I'll wait for my cheque). This realignment has been in the making for the better part of 10 years (since the previous one that coincided with the DTV roll out).

I don't recall how many US$billions were made from the 10 year license auctions of the 600 mHz band but that's what it's all about (the hokey pokey not withstanding) but our uses are small change in the grand scheme of things. Frankly the people most likely to use these newly licensed spectrum bands don't give a rat's patootie our problems, either.

When you see someone watching Netflix on their brand new TMobile device, thank them for taking our spectrum (with as much or little sarcasm as you like).

You pretty much beat me to it here. This is purely a numbers and money game, it's nothing personal. Doesn't mean I (or anyone) has to like it, but that's the reality.
 
As much as I disagree with the FCC in a number of current matters they are anything but whimsical.

Ok, here is why I say this. The plan was to turn over the 600Mhz band in 2020. Fine. Make plans. BUT.......
When T-Mobil decided to grab the range, who gave them the authority to tell everyone who is still in the 600 range to go pound sand???
T-Mobile doesn't have that power, but the FCC does and indicated that if T-Moblie, or any of the other buyers decide they are going to operate there, you have to yield and trash your equipment!!
RUBBISH! They should have had to wait until the official turnover occurred, not years before! So, if they pick some future date to metastasize into another range, just remember the date means nothing because the FCC may decide it effectively begins tomorrow. What would you call that?
Take a peak at E-bay. Hard to find anything because it is flooded with people dumping their 600Mhz gear.
-End Rant
 
Let's leave the FCC discussion to the already existing threads please...

I can't find mention of Dante in the marketing page from Sennheiser, can anyone point me towards it?
I assume otherwise that marketing are claiming Dante compatibility when used alongside the https://en-us.sennheiser.com/wireless-microphone-audio-networking-sl-di-4-xlr Dante interface a la the Speechline series...
it looks like the only Dante is via an external box. Dissapointing...we will already network the units for WSM why not build the Dante in to take advantage of this connection?????

Robb@Sennheiser will get his ear bent about this at NAB... :-(
 
There's a big difference in hardware for a network jack for control versus having Dante built in, especially in an analog radio. Plus, Audinate has to get paid. Adding Dante puts it at a completely different price point. I suppose you want a Neumann capsule at that price, too?
 
"Fast frequency allocation for up to 12 receivers via new linking function"

Interesting - wonder what that feature is.

The ew100/ew300/ew500 are all pretty much the same thing internally, my guess is that the ew100 is software limited version of the ew300/ew500 and they have turned the Network ports into some sort of limited link functionality so that the transmitters send limited data about their Group/Channel # to one another so nothing gets double assigned. Notice it says frequency allocation and NOT frequency coordination.
 
The ew100/ew300/ew500 are all pretty much the same thing internally, my guess is that the ew100 is software limited version of the ew300/ew500 and they have turned the Network ports into some sort of limited link functionality so that the transmitters send limited data about their Group/Channel # to one another so nothing gets double assigned. Notice it says frequency allocation and NOT frequency coordination.

Agreed. I'm just guessing but the different models might have the same PCB with exception of plug in daughter boards and slightly different firmware. Would be interesting to find out.
 
Agreed. I'm just guessing but the different models might have the same PCB with exception of plug in daughter boards and slightly different firmware. Would be interesting to find out.
I had two EW100's that mysteriously started giving me 500 series features so I would agree, they all start out as 500's and then have features turned off and daughter-board with parts left off. Makes a lot of sense from a manufacturing point of view. Why reinvent the wheel and create a whole new board when you can just change firmware.
 
Ok, so....
I have bids out right now on G3 100’s. A bunch to be spread into 4 different spaces to replace all of our current 600mhz stuff. 5 figure bids.

Are the G4 improvements enough to wait?

Will the price increase for G4’s?

Will the G3 price come down when the G4’s arrive and vendors ditch the old stock?

Will rebates apply to G4, not listed on the rebate form?

Will Lassie be able to save Timmy before the 600mhz rebates and my budget expire in June?
 
Historically speaking, I never saw price reductions on prior models when the new one is released. To some extent, the supply line is usually kept slim and the old model disappears as the new model hits. Can't say that someone some were didn't run a sale.
The pricing for the G4's looks to be about the same or cheaper!
I suspect the rebates on 600Mhz will continue.
Although none of the changed features look like they would really enhance anything I am doing, I'm sure they will benefit some users. Since everything seems backward compatible, I wouldn't make "waiting" for a G4 a big priority.
That said, unlike iPhones, Sennheiser runs the same model for many years before a generation change. I have G1's G2's and G3's and am happy with all of them.
 
I had a talk with some of Sennheisers people yesterday, and had a chance to briefly look at the G4.

There are now two models the 100 and the 300/500 where the last one mainly is dofferent on the handheld side, and I think there was only a minor difference in the firmware.
Main difference was that 500 comes with the 900 series capsules, and the 300 series with the 800 series, if I remember correct sadly had to make the stop at their booth shorter than usual.

The 100 series can be connected together up to 12 units, where you can use one unit to scan for available frequencies, and the use that one to setup all receivers.

The bandwith has almost doubled to make it easier to finde usable frequencies even on a tour.

The initial prices as far as I could see it, would be just around the present ones but as it will not be on the market until april that might still change.

To sum it up after the short view: I better start planning to change my small personal 8 channel setup :)
 

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