Sennheiser has announced a new portable wireless microphone kit designed as an affordable and flexible all-in-one solution for content creators and videographers. The Profile Wireless system features a wireless receiver that can be connected to various devices, a pair of compact clip-on transmitters with integrated microphones that can also be used as handheld or table microphones, and a mobile charger.
The Sennheiser Profile Wireless kit isn't expected to ship until late 2024 or early 2025, but is available to pre-order starting today for $299. That's cheaper than the popular $349 DJI Mic 2 kit, which includes similar hardware, and the Shure MoveMic system, which costs $499 when paired with a wireless receiver. Rode's Wireless Go II kit also costs $299, but doesn't include an on-the-go charging solution.
The Profile Wireless Microphones are similar in size to the DJI Mic 2 and can be attached to clothing with either a clip on the back or a magnet, allowing for more freedom in placement. If you want to use a higher quality microphone or need a more discreet lavalier microphone, the transmitter has a locking 3.5mm port for connecting external microphones.
The microphones are pre-paired with a dual-channel receiver and communicate via a 2.4 GHz radio signal with a range of just over 800 feet with a clear line of sight. If someone gets between the receiver and the microphone, the range drops to around 150 meters. Sennheiser says the battery life of the microphones and wireless receiver is around seven hours, but all three can be charged away from a power outlet using the included charging bar, which is equipped with a 2,000 mAh battery.
Each microphone has 16GB of built-in memory with an optional “backup recording mode” that automatically begins local recording if the connection to the wireless receiver becomes unreliable. There's also a “safety channel mode” that records a second copy of the audio at a lower level to prevent louder sounds from being clipped or distorted.
Because the Profile Wireless system does not use Bluetooth, recording audio to another device requires the receiver to be connected via an included USB-C or Lightning adapter for mobile devices, a USB-C cable for computers, or an audio cable for Cameras are connected. The receiver itself has an OLED screen that displays information such as audio levels and the charging status of the microphones; Thanks to an integrated gyro sensor, the screen automatically rotates 180 degrees when necessary.
Although wireless microphone systems like this are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of use and convenient size, it can sometimes be a challenge to have a tiny lapel microphone in your hand to conduct an impromptu interview. Sennheiser's solution to this problem is to attach one of the microphones to the end of the included charging bar and then attach a foam windscreen.
This results in a larger microphone that is easier to hold or use on a desk when connected to a microphone holder or small tripod. The shape of the larger mic is a little odd and may lead to an extra question or two when sticking it in someone's face, but it brings a little more flexibility to an affordable mic set that already packs a lot of features.