Sennheiser XSW-D Vocal Set
When I first heard about Sennheiser’s XS Wireless Digital Series, I was pleasantly surprised. Okay, more pleased than surprised. Considering the increasing miniaturization of 2.4 GHz (WiFi) technology in general, I knew this could be done. I’m just glad somebody did it. With nine available variants and a tenth coming soon, XS Wireless Digital Series covers all applications for this type of channel-limited system, and one variant falls just short of being my dream “floater” system. We’ll get to that in a bit.
XSW-D comes pre-packaged in variants for video production, presentation, live sound, and on-stage instrumental performance.
Tiny at the core
At the core of all XSW-D variants are the same miniature transmitter and receiver modules. Each is about four inches long with an added length of a tenth to about three-quarters of an inch, depending on the type of connector. Width and depth are about one inch. Indeed, this is “eXtra Small Wireless.”
Despite the minimal footprint, performance is said to be on par with larger, good quality 2.4 GHz systems. Range is up to 250 feet in optimum conditions, up to five systems can be used simultaneously in the same space, and both modules can operate up to five hours on a single charge. We'll find out when we get our review unit soon. XSW-D uses Sennheiser’s aptX Live codec, antenna diversity, and redundant data transmission. In case of interference, transmitter and receiver hop to a different frequency.
Operation looks super simple. Pressing and holding the buttons on both modules at the same time powers them up and links them. A quick press takes either into or out of mute, and pressing both together powers down.
Pick your package
XSW-D comes pre-packaged in variants for video production, presentation, live sound, and on-stage instrumental performance. You can buy your set complete with a Sennheiser lavalier or dynamic handheld mic, or use your own mic and save fifty bucks.
One variant is aimed directly at videography, with the receiver attaching to the camera via a cold shoe mount and plugging into the microphone input with a 1/8-inch coiled cable.
One variant is aimed directly at videography, with the receiver attaching to the camera via a cold shoe mount and plugging into the microphone input with a 1/8-inch coiled cable.
Another variant has ¼-inch male connectors on both transmitter and receiver, so it becomes an instant wireless instrument connection for guitar and bass players. Another variant coming later this year is designed specifically for use with instrument pedalboards.
But I don’t do video production nor dare to play an instrument in worship. I’m the audio guy, so I’m going to focus the variants with XLR connectors targeted at live sound applications.
Floater frustrations
Like many other churches, we have “floater” wireless systems – loose receivers that we can pick up and move around wherever needed. We have four – two handheld and two beltpack – from three different makers. All come with frustrations.
First, with all of them, you have to find a place to put the receiver, find a plug that will accept (with two) a fat wall wart, and rustle up a short mic cord – invariably too long – to plug it into the mixer.
And then, with the handheld systems, I have to hope the hard-wired dynamic capsule will be right for the application at hand. Sometimes it isn’t, so I end up running a long cord so I can use a wired mic much better suited to the job at hand.
And what if, at the last minute, I want to use a lavalier instead of a handheld? I have to change out the receiver because even if the frequencies were compatible, our beltpacks have different mic connectors.
Plug, pair and go
With XSW-D, such frustrations are gone. Plug the XLR-M receiver into the mixer. Done. Plug the XLR-F transmitter into the dynamic mic of your choice, be it a vocal mic from Sennheiser or perhaps a classic guitar cab mic from another maker. Whatever you like. Done.
And if you have both the XLR-F and 1/8-inch input modules, you can mix and match handhelds with lavs or headsets (albeit Sennheiser-compatible) while using the same receiver on your mixer. Just re-pair with the new transmitter and you’re set.
In sum, you have mix-and-match flexibility, no book-sized receiver to stash, and no cords to connect.
In sum, you have mix-and-match flexibility, no book-sized receiver to stash, and no cords to connect. That’s my ideal floater! Well, at least for the first five hours.
Caveat: Receiver charging required
Granted, at some point you do have to charge the receiver battery. In most cases that’s not an issue, but we do occasionally use our floaters intermittently over a period of weeks, or sometimes for an all-day outdoor event. If you’re nervous, you can leave a charger plugged in as the USB charging port is at the top end. You just (sigh) need to plug in a charger somewhere.
In my ultimate dream system, the receiver would be powered by the mixer’s phantom power. Alas, although XSW-D may be an order of magnitude more efficient than previous generations of wireless, it apparently needs more than the meager trickle of current allowed by the phantom power standard.
You can also switch between multiple transmitters with one receiver, but we wonder about how to adjust transmitter input sensitivity in such a situation. We'll know more when we get our review unit. Our veteran Sennheiser G2 beltpacks are handy in that regard, but you have to open them up and scroll through menus. Also, G2 beltpacks are hardly dainty (“our little tanks”) and our receivers are tightly screwed into a backstage rack.
XSW-D is a whole different animal. It’s all about traveling light, plugging in anywhere, and making sounds fast. In that regard, XSW-D is the new leader of the pack.
Look for a full review in the coming months.
