Sennheiser EarSet 1-4

Audio specialist Sennheiser will be presenting its first single-sided, earworn microphones at prolight+sound. There are two hands-free models for stage shows and the broadcasting studio: the EarSet 4 with a cardioid pick-up pattern and the EarSet 1 with an omnidirectional response. The sound of the EarSets also captivated P!NK - the exceptional artist was using an initial model of the EarSet 4 on her Funhouse tour.
 
P!NK already used the EarSet 4 on her Funhouse tour
(Photo credit: Luke Green)    "Both EarSets use capsules which are much loved in the live production and broadcasting fields", says Sebastian Schmitz, Microphones Product Manager, "in other words, the omni-directional capsule of our smallest clip-on microphone, the MKE 1, for the EarSet 1 and the cardioid capsule of the HSP 4 headset microphone for the EarSet 4." Together with a robust and close-fitting mechanical design, these are two microphones which, due to high-quality capsules and perfect distance from the mouth, ensure first-class sound in energetic stage shows and also cut a dash as a presenter's microphone.
 
Whilst the EarSet 1 is particularly insensitive to pop and wind noise and therefore easy to handle, the EarSet 4 is an ideal choice for loud stage environments where it effectively suppresses ambient noise and offers excellent feedback rejection. Both microphones are very light, comfortable to wear due to silicone tubing, and very resistant to perspiration and moisture. The earclip and boom microphone can be easily adjusted to fit ear and head shape. The cable, which has low sensitivity to structure-borne sound, is very robust and has a diameter of only 1 mm.
   
P!NK
It should only have been a field test, but P!NK was so enamoured of a prototype of the EarSet 4 during tests for her Funhouse tour that she didn't want to give it back. Monitor engineer Horst Hartmann: "The EarSet is the first small microphone that is just as loud under live conditions and sounds just as good as a handheld microphone. Nothing like this was available before. Compromises always had to be made, either in terms of the comfort of the artist when wearing it or as far as the sound was concerned, because the lack of volume necessitated harsh equalisation, and the sound always suffered as a result."
 
In P!NK's songs on the trapeze, the EarSet underwent its baptism of fire. "In the air, right in front of the speakers - you wouldn't even want to go there with a handheld microphone! With the EarSet, we had no problems with feedback and the sound was excellent."
    
For use in acrobatic displays of this kind, a skin-friendly adhesive tape, which can be covered by make-up, is supplied with the EarSet for providing additional fixing for the mic boom. Also included are a cable clip for strain relief, a foam windshield for the EarSet 4 and caps for altering the frequency response with the EarSet 1.
    
The new EarSets can be used with all Sennheiser wireless systems; there are LEMO connectors for the Sennheiser 2000, 3000 and 5000 professional series or a 3.5 mm jack for pocket transmitters in the evolution wireless series. Available in beige or black.

Technical Data

• Pick-up pattern     EarSet 1: omni
• EarSet 4: cardioid
• Frequency response     EarSet 1: 20 - 20,000 Hz ±3 dB
• EarSet 4: 40 - 20,000 Hz ±3 dB
• Nominal impedance (at 1 kHz)     1,000 ohms
• Min. terminating impedance     4,700 ohms
• Sensitivity (at 1 kHz)     EarSet 1: 5 mV/Pa ±2.5 dB
• EarSet 4: 4 mV/Pa ±2.5 dB
• Max. sound pressure level EarSet 1:    143 dB
• EarSet 4: 150 dB
• Equivalent noise level     EarSet 1: 27 dB(A)
• EarSet 4: 37 dB(A)
• Current consumption     approx. 240 µA
• Supply voltage     4.5 - 15 V
• Cable length     1.6 m
• Diameter of capsule/capsule housing     EarSet 1: 3.3 mm
• EarSet 4: 8.4 mm
• Diameter of mic boom      1.1 mm
• Weight (without cable)    EarSet 1: 2.3 g
• EarSet 4: 4.6 g