If you ever needed to use a communications headset in a loud environment, you know that any headset that provides isolation is usually rather bulky. These aviation-inspired headsets do a great job for followspot operators working a loud performance, but they can be heavy and cumbersome. Point Source Audio offers a lightweight alternative with its new CM-i3 intercom headset.
The model I tested was the CM-i3-4F, and it arrived in a custom case designed with a center column to coil your cable and store your headset.
First, the details. The CM-i3 weighs only two ounces and comes with an assortment of connection options, including: 4-pin female XLR for Clear-Com compatible systems; 4-pin male XLR for RTS mono systems; 5-pin female XLR for most Telex systems, 5-pin male XLR for mono Telex TR700/800 and TR80N; 5-pin male XLR for stereo RTS systems; and a 3.5mm mini-plug variation for Riedel, iPhone and iPad intercom apps. The earbuds are a single-driver, ported design and ship with a selection of three different sizes of eartips to fit all ears.
The CM-i3 Difference
And it’s the earbuds that allow the CM-i3 to tackle the bulk and weight issues of other isolating comm headsets. While these won’t be the ones you use for critical listening situations and IEMs applications — where fidelity is a prime factor — the EM-3 earphones from Point Source Audio are more than adequate for comm. In fact, they were as good as my favorite comm headsets from other manufacturers. The different ear tips that came with the headset allowed me to find a great fit. And if you really want to use your twin driver, high-fidelity ear buds, the CM-i3 headset employs a 3.5mm connection, making their earphones easily replaceable and you could install your own. An optional earphone installation tool is a must-have that makes replacing these cables a fairly simple process.
The other important part of any headset is the microphone. The mic built into this headset is larger than other lightweight headset mics once you put on the windscreen. But this size seems to be necessary to achieve the cardioid pattern needed to achieve great off-axis noise rejection. When I tested it, there was great separation of the voice of the person wearing the headset and the background noise in the room when compared with the other headsets being used. The mic can be switched to either side of the face to mount from either temple rest, depending on what feels most comfortable for you.
The patent-pending design of the headset facilitates the modularity of the earphones. Here, the only drawback seems to be that the headset can be a little big for people with a small head size. However, I was able to find a comfortable fit fairly easily. Some others with small head sizes who looked at this headset with me felt it fit loose to them. But it is important to remember that this headset weighs so little that the tension mounts are enough to hold it in place, and you don’t need to feel a band wrapped around your head. I felt that the tension mounts on the cheek bones were enough for a secure fit. That being said, Point Source Audio is aware that some of us are used to feeling more mass on our heads and that there may be a period of adjustment switching to something as lightweight as the CM-i3. The company is also working on some accessories to cater to smaller head sizes.
The Bottom Line
If you require a headset that isolates you from the environment enough that you need to pull out an ear bud to talk with one of the actors or just allows you to keep your beltpack turned down really low, then this might be an answer to your needs. The headset’s lightweight design will definitely relieve any neck strain you might be getting from wearing a bulky aviation-style headset for your next show call. And at an MSRP of $400 — including eartips, windscreen, storage case and XLR belt clip — the CM-i3 is worth checking out.
David “Squeege” Weigant is a Las Vegas-based production pro, a touring FOH engineer specializing in musicals and a regular contributor to Stage Directions, our sister publication.
At a Glance
A Streamlined Alternative
Lightweight, comfortable communications headset with a cardioid microphone element in a flexible earpiece design offered in versions with various XLR or 3.5mm audio connections to interface with most industry intercoms.
Point Source Audio CM-i3 Headset
Earphone Specs
Transducer: Single driver, ported
Sensitivity: 120 dB SPL @ 1V RMS
Impedance: 32 ohms
Overall Cable Length: 1.2 meters
L/R cable: 50 cm
Input connector: 3.5mm
Mic Specs
Element: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Sensitivity: -60 dB 1V/Pa
Response: 300 Hz to 10k Hz
Impedance: 200 ohms
PROS
• Variety of ear tips to find good fit
• Great off-axis noise rejection from microphone
• Very lightweight
CONS
• Those with a smaller head size might need to tweak the headset for a good fit.
MSRP: $400
More Info: www.point-sourceaudio.com
