Headset microphones have evolved into stylish, high-performance transducers that are miniature and nearly invisible, but also 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 a sampling of what’s available.
Acacia LIZ Diamond-T4
- Style: Headband
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Omni
- Colors: Tan
- Termination: TA4F Mini XLR (others offered)
- Notes: Interchangeable cable
- Price: $249/street
AKG/Crown CM-311
- Style: Headband
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Colors: Black
- Termination: Mini XLR
- Notes: CM-311A version connects to XLR
- Price: $489/street
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
Audio-Technica BP894xCT4 MicroSet
- Style: Earworn
- 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: $529/street
Audix HT7
- Style: Earworn
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Omni
- Colors: Beige or black
- Termination: 3-pin Mini-XLR
- Notes: 4-pin mini-XLR version available
- Price: $279/street
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: $279/street
http://north-america.beyerdynamic.com
CAD AUDIO E19
- Style: Earworn
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Omni
- Colors: Beige
- Termination: TA-4 mini-XLR
- Notes: Left/right wearable
- Price: $65/street
Countryman H6
- Style: Headband
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Omni or Directional
- Colors: Light beige, tan, cocoa, black
- Termination: Available for all major pro wireless
- Notes: Adjusts for left or right side wearing
- Price: $495/street (omni) or $549/street (directional)
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: $945/street
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: $424
Galaxy Audio ESM8
- Style: Earworn
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Omni
- Colors: Beige or black
- Termination: Includes cables for Galaxy, AKG, Shure, Audio-Technica and Sennheiser
- Notes: Left/right wearable
- Price: $219/street
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: $349/street
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: $219
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
Point Source Audio SERIES9
- Style: Headset or EMBRACE on-ear design
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Colors: Beige, brown or black
- Termination: Available for all major wireless
- Notes: Dual-element EO2-8WL also offered
- Price: Shipping Q2 2023; price TBA
RODE HS-2
- Style: Headband
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Colors: Pink, black
- Termination: 1/8” TRS
- Notes: Kevlar reinforced cable
- Price: $299/street
Samson SE60x
- Style: Earworn
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Unidirectional
- Colors: Beige, black
- Termination: 1/8” TRS; includes three adapters for other systems
- Notes: Left/right side wearable
- Price: $149/street
Sanken COS-11D HWM
- Style: Headband
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Colors: Beige, cocoa
- Termination: TA4; also unterminated or with connectors for major wireless
- Notes: Same capsule as COS-11D lavalier
- Price: $595/street
Sennheiser HM 200
- Style: Headband
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Omnidirectional
- Color: Silver
- Termination: Unterminated or with connectors for major wireless
- Notes: Integrated MKE1 capsule
- Price: $549/street
Shure TwinPlex TH53
- Style: Earworn
- 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
Sony ECM-HZ1UBMP
- Style: Headband
- Type: Condenser
- Pattern: Cardioid
- Colors: Black
- Termination: Sony 4-pin SMC9-4P for Sony DWZ bodypacks
- Notes: Right/left ear wearable
- Price: $149/street
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
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
