Karaoke Forums

I started with Samson R21 wired mics as well. They sounded very warm and were beat to a pulp and still worked. They worked just fine for my shows for 2 years. Frankly I was fine with them because I had never used a high quality microphone on my system and had no idea what I was missing.

My next evolution was Audix OM2's they were way better than the R21's for clarity and I was amazed at their sound. But I eventually tired of having mic cords running everywhere and getting tangled. Audix did not offer a wireless.

I went through oodles of cheap wireless setups trying to get the Audix sound back only to be disappointed with quality or reliability. Some of the stuff failed out of the box others would last a couple of months.

A local KJ here suggested Shures but I was really turned off by the high price tag and was fearful that they would not hold up under rugged use. After alot of deliberation i purchased 2 SM58 UHF Wireless units and the sound was superior to anything I had used to date.

My experience with them has been wonderful over the past 2 years. Not one problem with durability, the battery life is very good, and the sound is excellent. I don't think I could ever go back to the less expensive units. Before I did that I would go back to SM58 Wired mics.

Each to their own as to what sounds best and or fits their budget, that is up to the KJ and I do not expect them to go out and buy expensive mics just because I recommend to do so.

What it all boils down to is personal preference and your perception of quality. That is why there are so many choices available on the market.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

Sennheiser e835 and EV 767A

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"Baby, Just Because I Rock, Doesn't Mean I'm Made Of Stone."

Both are great mics, I have one of each. The 767 doesn't seem to be as durable as some, though. A local place has 4 of them for the main vocal mics (they do bands too) and two of them have been damaged to the point where they don't sound good. That is difficult to do with an e835 or SM58.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I can understand that. I always grab the Sennheiser, but for some reason I see a lot of people going for the EV. People always sound louder/fuller on the EV with my setup.

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"Baby, Just Because I Rock, Doesn't Mean I'm Made Of Stone."

Oh, don't get me wrong. I love the EV mic, and it is my favorite. But for karaoke use, I am just wondering if it has the durability.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Last night I sang for the the first time on my sm58 wireless. It to blows away the wired and exhibits all the characteristics of a 58 only more so. You do have to know how to work it. You can turn up the receiver gain and it is like a typical powered mic. It is awesome.

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Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

Wired: Sennheiser

Wireless: AKG (hands down)


Both have a decent sound and are built like tanks. AKG uses a single AA battery that will last 30 hours.... it's a beautiful thing.....

With you there, Ollie - I LOVE my wireless 58s.

I think that every mic is going to sound different on every system and in every venue... and with each singer. A little tweaking of the EQ on the mic channel is going to even the playing field for the most part. The only variables beyond the KJs immediate control are going to be durability and handling noise (to an extent). I think even a lot of the cheaper mics are following Shure's lead and using metal casings which helps... I think it comes down more to withstanding abuse. I think the Shures will handle blatant abuse (as they have long proven to do)... but the cheaper mics have not been tested/proven as much and the confidence is not there. I can say that I have used a few different types of Samson mics and they never gave me a problem...they had been dropped, but nothing down-right abusive. [/list]

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~ D.J. ~
Dothan, AL 36301

My Rig:

- Shure PGX/SM58 Wireless mics (4)
- Yamaha MG-16 6 FX Mixer
- Behringer EP2500 Power Amp
- DBX 266XL Comp/Gate
- JBL MPro 15" Speakers (x2)
- Behringer 15" Powered monitor
- Compaq Laptop
- Furman Rack light
- Furman Power Conditioner

Ok, so I had to fill in for my replacement (previously agreed to based on his planned vacation out of town). I had an opportunity to really compare a lot of these microphones...

- SM58 - UHF wireless... great sound, good output. Minimum handling noise. (9/10)
- SM58 - wired...great sound, higher output. Minimum handling noise. (9.5/10)
- Samson R21S - wired...great sound, higher output... good bit of handling noise. (8/10)
- Samson Stage 5H Wireless - good sound...slightly more output than the UHF SM58, more handling noise... and when battery starts to go low... some static when pointed in certain directions. (7/10)
- Audio Technica ATR30 - Wired - great sound, great output, some handling noise, but not as bad as the Samson. (8.5/10)

... Sound-wise most of these were very similar with average voice-strength singers. I did have to do a bit more EQ'ing with the Samsons for people with super shrill voices.

... I normally have to do a bit of EQing of the SM58 wireless mics with some guys with super country baritone voices for some reason.

That is about it. Take it however you choose ladies and gents.

My basic set up is a Yamaha MG16-6fx board through JBL MPRO 215s, a Behringer B300 monitor, and a Behringer EP2500 power amp.

Enjoy!

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~ D.J. ~
Dothan, AL 36301

My Rig:

- Shure PGX/SM58 Wireless mics (4)
- Yamaha MG-16 6 FX Mixer
- Behringer EP2500 Power Amp
- DBX 266XL Comp/Gate
- JBL MPro 15" Speakers (x2)
- Behringer 15" Powered monitor
- Compaq Laptop
- Furman Rack light
- Furman Power Conditioner

I have two wireless sm58s and 1 wired sm58. I can't tell the difference soundwise. I don't have to turn the wireless volume faders up as high to get the same level of volume. I prefer wireless but don't like dealing with the batteries.