There are many reasons why you’ll see Sennheiser wireless systems in action for big-name broadcast events — they’re reliable, sound great, and are incredibly flexible.
Sennheiser has been a leader in wireless microphone technology for decades, and there’s a Sennheiser wireless microphone system that’s perfect for practically any application. This guide will help you identify the strengths of each product and decide which Sennheiser performance wireless system is best for you whether you’re a solo performing musician or a sound tech needing a wireless system for your theater productions.
Sennheiser’s Wireless Systems Overview
There is a wide range of Sennheiser wireless systems with solutions for everything from solo musical acts to complex multichannel broadcast systems. Let’s look at the different series of wireless products from Sennheiser to determine which applications they fit best.
Spectera
Sennheiser’s Spectera series eliminates the need for separate wireless microphone and in-ear monitor systems. Comprising a Base Station, SEK bodypacks, DAD antennas, and LinkDesk software, the Spectera ecosystem not only accommodates up to 32 simultaneous bidirectional channels but also gives you precision control over latency, quality, and signal behavior — perfectly tailored to every link — by way of its 11 configurable Audio Link modes. Moreover, since its cutting-edge bidirectional bodypacks handle both mic-/line-level signals and in-ear monitoring signals at once, Spectera enables you to deploy mics and IEMs using a single bodypack. With Spectera, Sennheiser redefines streamlined audio workflows, delivering unmatched capability and flexibility in a powerful, unified solution.
XSW-1 & XSW-2
The XS Wireless 1 and XS Wireless 2 series represent Sennheiser’s most affordable wireless solutions, an exceptional value for musicians, singers, and presenters alike. Like all Sennheiser wireless systems, getting going with the XS Wireless series is a breeze with up to 10 simultaneous channels on XSW-1 and a dozen on XSW-2. Whether you’re a small venue, a band, or a solo artist, these wireless systems are perfect for any situation requiring a simple solution that sounds great.
XSW-D
The XSW-D is a plug-and-play 2.4GHz digital wireless system with up to five simultaneous channels. This system intentionally cuts cables for convenience and is a perfect fit for small bands, classrooms, and even around the house. Perhaps best of all, the XSW-D is rechargeable via USB with automatic channel switching, so you can save on money-pit battery purchases while optimizing setups of all kinds.
Evolution Wireless G4
Sennheiser’s Evolution Wireless G4 series offers enhanced wireless range compared to our previously mentioned models along with improved audio quality and the option to run multiple systems simultaneously. The transmitters in the Evolution Wireless G4 series provide improved visual feedback, including a higher-resolution battery-life meter. All of this makes Evolution Wireless G4 systems a popular choice for gigging bands — with optional interchangeable capsules to tailor the sound of your microphone to any situation.
Evolution Wireless Digital
Outfitted with technology originally developed for their Digital 6000 series, Sennheiser’s latest-generation digital UHF wireless series comes in at an economical price for everyday use in nearly every application. With a record-setting 134dB dynamic range on the transmitter and capable of up to 90 channels per band with only 1.9ms of latency, EW-D sets a new standard in powerful yet easy-to-use digital wireless systems.
Digital 6000
Sennheiser’s flagship wireless series delivers the highest sound quality, frequency agility, and channel count possible for applications where uncompromising performance is critical. Whether it’s Broadway, a major tour, or a broadcast, Digital 6000 makes a strong case when needing an elite-quality wireless system. With 244MHz of bandwidth and an equidistant frequency grid for maximum channel density, Sennheiser Digital 6000 is the first choice of discerning professionals everywhere.
Which System Fits My Application?
- Solo musicians and presenters: XSW-1 and XSW-2 series give you clear sound and maximum value when you only need a few wireless channels
- Gigging bands: XSW-D and Evolution Wireless G4 provide the enhanced sound quality and increased channel count you need to rig up a full band in most environments
- Touring acts/broadcast: Sennheiser’s Digital 6000 series offers impeccable sound quality, channel count, and frequency agility to allow you to create complex systems with outstanding reliability
- Video work: The Evolution Wireless Digital series features a bodypack transmitter and a rack kit for easy integration into setups geared toward on-camera interviews and dialogue
| Series | Max. Simultaneous Channels | Tuning Range per Band | Transmission Type/Range | Interchangeable Handheld Transmitter Capsules | Applications |
| XSW-1 | 10 | 24MHz | Analog UHF / 200 ft. | No | Solo musicians, singers, and presentations |
| XSW-2 | 12 | 24MHz | Analog UHF / 300 ft. | No | Solo musicians, singers, and presentations |
| XSW-D | 5 | n/a | Digital 2.4GHz / 75 ft. | No | Smaller bands, public speaking |
| G4 100 | 24 | 42MHz | Analog UHF / 330 ft. | Yes | Gigging bands, public address, government installations |
| EW-D | 90 | 56MHz | Digital UHF / 330 ft. | Yes — including Neumann | Video work with on-camera interviews and recorded dialogue |
| G4 300/500 | 32 | Up to 88MHz | Analog / 330 ft. | Yes — including Neumann | Gigging bands, small to midsize installations, theater productions |
| EW-DX | 4 | Variable | Digital UHF / 330 ft. | Yes — including Neumann | Venues with crowded RF environments, small to midsize installations, conferencing |
| Digital 6000 | 256 | 244MHz | Digital UHF / 300 ft. | Yes — including Neumann | Large installations, touring acts, sporting events, broadcast |
| Spectera | 64 | Variable | Digital UHF / Variable | No | Large installations, touring acts, sporting events, broadcast |
Wireless Microphone System Components
A complete wireless system includes a microphone (or an instrument cable), a wireless transmitter, and a wireless receiver. The transmitter takes your instrument or microphone signal and broadcasts it to the wireless receiver. The receiver has an audio output to connect to your mixing board or sound system. Whether you’re singing, playing an instrument, or giving a presentation, these three components form the backbone of your wireless system.
Wireless Microphones
There is a wide variety of microphones available for Sennheiser wireless systems, each designed to excel in a specific application. Headset microphones like the Sennheiser ME 3 are perfect for active presenters and performers, giving you hands-free convenience onstage. For interviews on camera — or other situations where a headset microphone is not desirable — a lavalier microphone like the Sennheiser ME 4 can be attached to clothing for a less conspicuous appearance.
For performing vocalists who prefer a handheld microphone, a combination microphone/transmitter like the Sennheiser SKM 300 G4-S is perfect. It combines a great-sounding Sennheiser vocal mic with a built-in wireless transmitter — no beltpack transmitter required.
Wireless Transmitters
Sennheiser transmitters come in many different forms and are, more often than not, tailored to specific performance situations. Bodypack-style transmitters like the Sennheiser SK 300 clip onto your belt or instrument strap and allow you to connect a headset, a lavalier mic, or instruments such as electric guitar or bass. Plug-on transmitters like the SKP 100 G4 allow you to convert virtually any XLR microphone into a wireless microphone.
Any transmitter you choose will require batteries for operation. While Sennheiser transmitters provide hours of use before requiring new batteries, you’ll always want to make sure you have fresh batteries on hand to avoid interruptions to your performance or presentation.
Wireless Receivers
Your wireless receiver uses antennas to capture the signal sent by your wireless transmitter with an audio output to connect to a mixing console or a sound system. Sennheiser’s receivers feature a front-panel display for easy identification of channel frequency and other important information. For multichannel wireless systems, it’s convenient to place all of the wireless receivers in a dedicated rack case — call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for more information on rack solutions for your wireless gear.
Antenna Combiners
When you’re working with dozens of wireless channels in a live sound or broadcast environment, you can greatly improve your signal transmission reliability with an active antenna combiner such as the Sennheiser AC3200-II. It allows you to use one antenna with up to eight transmitters and distributes the different signals to your receivers. You can place one single antenna wherever you need to get the best reception and then run a single cable back to your rack of receivers. It’s much more convenient than using individual antennas on each receiver and helps give better range and coverage to your wireless system.
Sennheiser’s wireless system bundles make it easy to get the right wireless gear for your exact needs.
Complete Systems Control
EW-D Smart Assist
Designed for Evolution Wireless Digital — Sennheiser’s latest-generation digital wireless system — the EW-D Smart Assist app gives the user complete control of up to 16 channels via Bluetooth. Need to see how much battery life you have left or to change a frequency? EW-D Smart Assist has you covered with everything you need to know or control readily available with a single button push. EW-D Smart Assist is available for both iOS and Android.
Wireless Systems Manager
Sennheiser’s 300/500 G4 and Digital 6000 wireless products feature a built-in Ethernet port that gives you comprehensive control over your wireless system from your laptop. You can save scenes for easy recall, import spectrum scans, lock assigned frequencies, and much more. When you’re working with a large multichannel wireless system, using Sennheiser’s Wireless Systems Manager is much more practical and efficient than dialing in settings on every receiver individually.
Control Cockpit
Perfect for educational facilities and large-scale operations, Sennheiser’s Control Cockpit makes managing 300/500 G4, Digital 6000, or SpeechLine Digital wireless systems easy. Designed to fit into a thoroughly modern digital workflow, Control Cockpit lets you set up, monitor, and troubleshoot your system from anywhere in your wireless local area network. Automatically add devices via IP range or CVS import and test or adjust all RF settings — right from your tablet or mobile device! Any information you need for any system in your facility, from battery power to signal integrity, is at your fingertips anytime you need it.
Get the Most out of Your Wireless System
Regardless of the wireless system you’re using, there is a handful of simple tips that will help maximize your wireless experience.
First, maintain a clear line of sight between transmitters and receivers. While it may be tempting to put your wireless receiver rack in the back of the room or in another room altogether, this will reduce the effective range of your signal and risk signal dropouts.
Consider an active antenna combiner for larger multichannel systems. Antenna combiners allow you to use a single antenna for multiple receivers; it’s a solution for a much cleaner setup and makes it easier to maintain a clear line of sight. Active antennas usually offer enhanced signal reception, too, and they can even be positioned remotely away from your main receiver rack.
Don’t forget that your wireless transmitters rely on batteries for operation. While Sennheiser’s wireless transmitters offer impressive battery life, you don’t want your show to be interrupted due to low batteries in a transmitter. Keep plenty of fresh batteries on hand and replace them immediately before showtime for peace of mind.
There’s a Sennheiser wireless system to meet anyone’s needs from solo gigging musicians to technical directors at large facilities.
With this guide, and a clear understanding of your application and needs, you’ll be able to find the right Sennheiser wireless solution. Don’t forget that, at Sweetwater, we’ve been setting up and working with countless wireless microphone systems for decades. For more information or help designing your own wireless system, just give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 — they’re sure to get you started on the right path!
