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PRICE: £240
SARAMONICUK.COM
PRICE: £43
EN-UK.SENNHEISER.COM
High-quality video and audio go hand in hand. While cameras have on-board mics, if good sound is an absolute must, look no further than Saramonic’s latest wireless microphone system Saramonic Blink 500B2W
Sennheiser XS Lav Mobilemicrophone
Earlier this year, Sennheiser announced additions to its audio accessory range, including lavalier microphones for mobile devices and computers
SPECS › Price £240
› In the box 2x Blink 500 Snow White TX transmitters, 1x Blink 500 Snow White RX receiver, 2x SR-M1 omnidirectional lavalier microphones, 2x alligator mic clips, 2x foam windscreens, 1x 30.5cm/3.5mm TRS output cable for cameras, 1x 30.5cm/3.5mm TRRS output cable for phones and tablets, 3x 30.5cm USB-C to USB-A charging cables, 1x pairing pin Blink 500 RXW › Transmission type 2.4GHz › Operating range Up to 50m › Audio output connector 3.5mm › Audio output level -60dBV to -20dBV › Power Built-in lithium-ion battery or USB-C DC 5V › Charging connector USB-C – 90 minutes for a full charge › Battery life Five hours › Dimensions 62x33x15mm › Weight 31g Blink 500 TXW › Transmission type 2.4GHz › Operating range Up to 50m › RF output power 10mW › Polar pattern Omnidirectional › Audio inputs 3.5mm TRS lavalier microphone Built-in microphone › Frequency range 50Hz-18KHz › MaximumSPL Built-in microphone 120dB SPL Lavalier microphone 110dB SBL Lavalier microphone -30dB › Power Built-in lithium-ion battery or USB-C DC 5v › Battery life Five hours › Dimensions 63x43x16.5mm › Weight 34g › Contact saramonicuk.com › Sensitivity Built-in microphone -42dB
IF YOU’VE WATCHED a video with poor sound, you will know what a trial it can be. You’re unlikely to get to the end, even though the camera work might be astounding. So, for any potential vloggers – looking to gain followers and subscribers – the moral is simple: produce the best sound you possibly can. The Saramonic Blink 500 B2W kit costs £240. For that, you get two transmitters, one receiver, two lav mics, charging leads, and output cables for cameras and smartphones/tablets. Pairing the transmitters to the receiver is relatively straightforward, although I needed two attempts. The key accessory is the supplied pairing pin, which you push into the tiny hole of the receiver, so the small blue LED blinks. Then, on the transmitters, push in both the + and – buttons until you get pairing confirmation. Once set up, the units remained paired when switched off.
THREE SENNHEISER XS Lav microphone outfits are now
clarity of an external microphone placed close to the sound source. A lav mic means you can place it close to your mouth – within about 25cm – with its supplied clip, and it clearly picks up your voice, while lowering distracting noise from the surrounding environment. A washable foam windshield is supplied to reduce wind noise. This lav mic has an omnidirectional working pattern and is easy to use. It’s powered from your smartphone or tablet, so is simply plug and play – and it performs well. WC
available, suitable for voice-overs, vlogging and interviewing. There’s the XS Lav with USB-C connector, an XS Lav USB-C Mobile Kit (which includes a Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod and Sennheiser Smartphone Clamp), and the kit we’re testing here: the XS Lav Mobile microphone with TRRS connector. A TRRS cable has four poles and is standard on smartphones, tablets and most Macs. Mics on smart devices, just like those on cameras, will record audio, but they won’t deliver the quality or SPECS › Price XS Lav Mobile, £43. Also available: XS Lav USB-C, £52, and XS Lav USB-C Mobile Kit, £87 › In the box XS Lav Mobile mic, microphone clip, removable foam windshield, drawstring storage pouch › Connector 3.5mm TRRS gold-plated plug › Frequency response 50-18,000Hz › Polar pattern Omnidirectional › Cable length 2m › Diameter 10.5mm › Weight 19g › Contact en-uk.sennheiser.com
SMOOTHOPERATOR Each Blink 500 B2W has a rechargeable battery inside and is charged using supplied USB leads
The receiver has a spring clip that slips into the camera’s accessory shoe and – with the right (TRS) cable plugged in – you’re ready to go. The TRRS (tip, ring, ring, sleeve) cable for phones and tablets has an identifying tab, so make sure the correct one is used. Each transmitter has a built-in microphone, and the large clip means it’s easy enough to attach it to a label, belt or inside pocket, if the supplied external mic is plugged in. WC
Verdict If you want audio quality from your smartphone or tablet, this £43 Sennheiser XS Lav Mobile is a must-have accessory.
Verdict
PROS Compact, performs well, built-in belt clips, kit includes two lavalier mics CONS Nothing A high-quality, two-person wireless mic system for £240 is great value. The Saramonic Blink 500 B2W is worth checking out, especially if you’re a wannabe vlogger – the system is easy to set up and use, while the audio quality is very good.
PROS Good price, works well CONS Nothing
Issue 89 | Photography News 39
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