GEAR MINI TESTS
SENNHEISER EVOLUTION WIRELESS DIGITAL EW-DP £589/$699 sennheiser.com
SPECIFICATIONS Bandwidth: 56MHz Latency: 1.9ms Dynamic range: 134dB
Battery life: TX 12h, RX 7h Synchronisation: Bluetooth Mounting: Stackable magnetic components Features: Smart Notifications, Smart Assist app Pickup pattern: Omnidirectional Frequency response: 50-18,000Hz Maximum range: 100m/328ft Connector: 3.5mm jack Cable length: 160cm/63in Power supply: 2x AA batteries or BA70 rechargeable battery pack Occupied bandwidth: 200 kHz Dimensions (without antenna): 86x67x28mm/3.4x2.6x1.1in Weight (without batteries): 140g/0.3lb
was seamlessly wearable. Our seated subject had plenty of length in the mic cable, and the lav itself could be hidden in clothing with ease. When it comes to all-important transmission, the Sennheiser operates in the UHF spectrum – a professional standard, which proved flawless for our testing. Further flexibility in RF environments comes via a 56MHz bandwidth. Sound quality is great; the 134dB input dynamic range is a claimed industry standard and provides crisp audio. And latency clocks in at an imperceptible 1.9ms. Where the EW-DP system really excels is in usability. Simple, essential functions are accessed through a clear OLED display, and navigated using directional and set buttons. There’s also a sync button to avoid diving into menus. Connection between TX and RX was immediate, and once gain was set, so nothing needed to be touched. Still, the system offers direct guidance when needed. Sennheiser’s Smart Notifications detect errors during use and provide suggested fixes, all in a workflow that seems challenging to get wrong. And those who would rather go through set-up, monitoring and adjustments remotely can do so with the Smart Assist app. Though fairly expensive compared to similar solutions, there’s no denying that the Sennheiser EW-DP system is packed full of features. Ultimately,
As a leading audio brand, it’s no surprise to find plenty of pro quality in Sennheiser’s Evolution Wireless Digital EW-DP system. Perhaps more surprising is just how good it is. There are a few different kits available, based on the same tech. We got our hands on the ME2 (Q1-6) lavalier set. Launched at NAB earlier this year, the new mic is part of the brand’s fifth generation of Evolution Wireless products. That’s plenty of time for refinement, and it shows. Put to use on a small solo shoot, we were left with a sense this powerful lav had much more left up its sleeve. No doubt it would assert itself comfortably on more up- scale productions, with its professional functions and unobtrusive form factor. The EW-DP sat neatly on the lightweight Fujifilm X-S20 we were using. At 140g/0.3lb, there’s barely an impact on handling and the camera’s top-plate controls remained mostly unobstructed. While shooting, with no need to move around the camera’s tripod, our operator wore the RX pack on his belt using the included clip. Coiled, the 3.5mm cable connecting the camera to the RX unit measures a few inches, but extends significantly. For the purposes of mounting directly to camera, assembling the mic’s hotshoe attachment is somewhat fiddly, but there are simpler options based around a powerfully magnetic mounting plate. The TX pack, too,
you get what you pay for. Positively, however, the packages don’t have to be purchased as sets. A handheld mic or the ME4 cardioid lav can be purchased separately, ready to use alongside the system’s core components. Overall, it’s hard to find fault here. Such a professional tool has scarcely been easier to use. Perhaps, for a price, you really can have it all. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 A mic that offers seamless usability across a professional feature set Pros: Ideal for small crew usage Cons: Somewhat costly
SENN-SIBLE UPGRADE The compact, yet powerful EW-DP audio kit is among the very best
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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