Modern headset microphones have evolved into stylish, high-performance transducers. Not only are these miniature and nearly invisible, but able to stand up to the hazards of sweat, water, humidity, makeup and rough handling. Today, there’s a wide range of models in a variety of styles (earworn or headset), colors, prices and terminations to interface with any kind of wireless bodypack. Here’s just a sampling of what’s available.
Acacia LIZ Roadster Platinum
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omni
Colors: Tan, Black
Termination: TA4F Mini XLR (others offered)
Notes: Interchangeable cable
Price: $229/street
www.acaciaaudio.com
AKG/Crown CM-311AE
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Cardioid
Colors: Black
Termination: Mini XLR
Notes: CM-311A version connects to XLR
Price: $439/street
www.akg.com
Apex Electronics Apex575
Style: Headset
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omni
Colors: Tan, cocoa
Termination: Includes TA3F, TA4F, locking 4-pin and mini TRS
Notes: Converts from neck-worn to single-ear
Price: $119/street
www.apexelectronics.com
Audio-Technica BP894x MicroSet
Style: Earworn; convertible to dual-ear mount
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Cardioid
Colors: Black, beige
Termination: Available for all major pro wireless systems or XLR wired
Notes: Rotatable capsule aims directly at sound source; wearable on either ear
Price: $499/street
www.audio-technica.com
Audix HT5
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omni
Colors: Beige or black
Termination: 3-pin Mini-XLR
Notes: 4-pin mini-XLR version available
Price: $299/street
www.audixusa.com
beyerdynamic TG H74
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Supercardioid
Colors: Beige, black
Termination: Versions for Opus or TG wireless
Notes: left or right side wearable
Price: $249/street
http://north-america.beyerdynamic.com
CAD Audio E19
Style: Earworn
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omni
Colors: Beige
Termination: TA4-F for CAD wireless
Notes: Versions for Shure, Sennheiser and A-T also offered
Price: $265/street
www.cadaudio.com
Countryman H7
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Hypercardioid
Colors: Light beige, tan, cocoa, black
Termination: Available unterminated or for all major pro wireless
Notes: Adjusts for left or right side wearing
Price: $599/street
www.countryman.com
DPA 4466 CORE Omnidirectional
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omni
Colors: Black, brown, beige
Termination: Microdot; adapters available for all major wireless
Notes: Cardioid 4488 version also offered
Price: $770/street
www.dpamicrophones.com
Electro-Voice RE97TX
Style: Earworn
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Beige, cocoa or black
Termination: TA4F wired for E-V/Telex beltpacks
Notes: Left/right wearable
Price: $302
www.electrovoice.com
Galaxy Audio HSM24
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omni
Colors: Beige
Termination: Available for most pro wireless
Notes: includes two replaceable cables
Price: $140/street
www.galaxyaudio.com
Lectrosonics HM172
Style: Earworn
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Beige
Termination: TA5F wired for Lectrosonics UHF
Notes: Removable HF peak cap controls excessive highs
Price: $319/street
www.lectrosonics.com
MIPRO HSP-49
Style: Earworn
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Black, beige or cocoa
Termination: Ships for Mipro; adapters available for most major wireless
Notes: Includes two screw-on replaceable cables
Price: $189
www.avlex.com
Mogan Elite ICE Earset
Style: Earworn
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Semi-transparent
Termination: Available for Shure, AKG, Sennheiser or A-T
Notes: Distributed by Hosa (hosatech.com)
Price: $299/street
www.moganmicrophones.com
Point Source Audio EMBRACE EO-8WL
Style: Earworn
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Beige, brown or black
Termination: Interchangeable X-Connector cables for all major wireless
Notes: Dual-element EO2-8WL also available
Price: $378/street (depending on termination)
www.point-sourceaudio.com
RODE HS-2
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Pink, black
Termination: 1/8” TRS
Notes: Kevlar reinforced cable
Price: $299/street
www.rodemic.com
Samson SE50T
Style: Earworn
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Beige, black
Termination: 1/8” TRS; includes three adapters for other systems
Notes: Left/right side wearable
Price: $129/street
www.samsontech.com
Sanken COS-11D HWM-R
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Beige, cocoa
Termination: Available unterminated or with connectors for major wireless
Notes: Same capsule as COS-11D lavalier
Price: $695/street (depending on termination)
www.sanken-mic.com
Sennheiser HS2
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Beige, black
Termination: Unterminated or with connectors for major wireless
Notes: Integrated MKE2 Gold capsule; Umbrella Diaphragm protects from sweat.
Price: $429/street
www.sennheiserusa.com
Shure TwinPlex TH53
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Black, tan and cocoa
Termination: TA4F, Lemo, MicroDot, bare wire
Notes: Wearable on left or right side.
Price: $599/street
www.shure.com
Sony ECM-322BC
Style: Headband
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Black
Termination: Sony 4-pin SMC9-4P for Sony bodypacks
Notes: Can be worn on left or right ear.
Price: $169/street
www.sony.com/proaudio
Voice Technologies VT901 Mk II
Style: Earworn
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Beige
Termination: TA4F (others optional)
Notes: Sold by Redding Audio, reddingaudio.com
Price: $249/street
www.vt-switzerland.com
Vu HM2000-TA4F
Style: Earworn
Type: Condenser
Pattern: Omnidirectional
Colors: Beige
Termination: Wired for Shure bodypacks
Notes: Also offered for Sennheiser, A-T and unterminated
Price: $99/street
www.vugear.com
