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Author Topic: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4  (Read 8900 times)

Andrew Broughton

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Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« on: April 26, 2019, 01:18:22 PM »

Looking to build an 8ch IEM system.
Other than build quality and slight difference in noise floor, what reasons are there to purchase the PSM1000 @ $5k/2ch vs EW300 @ $2k/2ch? Anyone done any RF comparisons? For the sake of argument, let's assume they are both using the same quality combiner (PA821 or TX-8U) and a helical.
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Brian Adams

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Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2019, 04:30:38 PM »

I've never done an RF comparison, but the PSM1000 has lots of other advantages. I just worked with a mixed system of PSM1000 and G3 last week, so here are my thoughts on PSM1000 advantages. I've never used the G4, so I can't comment on that, and maybe some of this has changed.

That slight difference in noise floor you mention is actually a large difference.
Metal packs.
Diversity reception (not that much of an advantage).
A great rechargeable battery system.
Much better battery life indication.
Better headroom (at least in my experience).

And while I've never done an RF comparison, the PSM1000 seems to have fewer dropouts (or almost dropouts with that swishing sound, whatever you call that).
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Brian Adams
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brian maddox

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Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2019, 04:52:25 PM »

Looking to build an 8ch IEM system.
Other than build quality and slight difference in noise floor, what reasons are there to purchase the PSM1000 @ $5k/2ch vs EW300 @ $2k/2ch? Anyone done any RF comparisons? For the sake of argument, let's assume they are both using the same quality combiner (PA821 or TX-8U) and a helical.

Not sure if this applies to your situation but....

I know of a couple folks that opted to go PSM900 transmit and PSM1000 receiver.  It's a good bit cheaper.  You lose network control.  But you gain the ability to repackage your stuff to fly it MUCH more easily than the PSM1000 transmitters.  And you keep the diversity receivers, which does seem to make a difference.

My two cents having used both the G3 and PSM900/1000 systems is that the Shure is worth whatever the difference in price is.  The noise floor is WAY lower, and i like the way they "sound" better, whatever that means.  The packs are very rugged, and the volume limiter is VERY handy. 

****The volume limiter is not a compressor style limiter, it's a limit that you can set that once you turn the volume past a certain point it stops there.  It's great as you can set your gain structure to the ideal place which will likely land you around "5" on the receiver.  Set the volume limiter to 5 and the performer just turns it on and turns it up and it won't get louder than 5, no matter how much they turn the volume knob up. 

I own a PSM900 rig for my personal use and it's been worth every penny.
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brian maddox
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Barry Reynolds

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Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2019, 07:06:30 PM »

I may get laughed at by the big boys, but at least take a look at MIPro mi-909 reviews.
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Andrew Broughton

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Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2019, 08:04:54 PM »

Thank you for your reply, Brian. Some comments on your post...
That slight difference in noise floor you mention is actually a large difference.
If you get your gain structure right, the noise is not noticeable when using the 300's while playing.
Quote
Metal packs.
They're metal AFAIK. Certainly the G3 were!
Quote
Diversity reception (not that much of an advantage).
It's a big advantage, and the 300's are also diversity, using the headphone cable as a 2nd antenna.
Quote
A great rechargeable battery system.
The 300's have that as well. Battery life on the 300's is at LEAST double, but more typically 4x the life of the Shure.
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Much better battery life indication.
Haven't noticed any difference there...
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Better headroom (at least in my experience).
What do you mean exactly?

Quote
And while I've never done an RF comparison, the PSM1000 seems to have fewer dropouts (or almost dropouts with that swishing sound, whatever you call that).
I haven't experienced that.
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Andrew Broughton

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Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2019, 08:08:11 PM »

Thanks, Brian!
Not sure if this applies to your situation but....

I know of a couple folks that opted to go PSM900 transmit and PSM1000 receiver.  It's a good bit cheaper.  You lose network control.  But you gain the ability to repackage your stuff to fly it MUCH more easily than the PSM1000 transmitters.  And you keep the diversity receivers, which does seem to make a difference.
I wouldn't want to have to give up the networking.

Quote
My two cents having used both the G3 and PSM900/1000 systems is that the Shure is worth whatever the difference in price is.  The noise floor is WAY lower, and i like the way they "sound" better, whatever that means.  The packs are very rugged, and the volume limiter is VERY handy.
Even if you were paying for them yourself? You can get 4 sets of Sen for the price of 2 Shures!

Quote
I own a PSM900 rig for my personal use and it's been worth every penny.
Doh! Guess you answered that question.
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brian maddox

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Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2019, 08:16:21 PM »

.....
Even if you were paying for them yourself? You can get 4 sets of Sen for the price of 2 Shures!
....
Doh! Guess you answered that question.

Well, i might choose differently if i was buying 8 channels. :)

Shure does have a higher transmit power, but that doesn't matter much most of the time.  30mW, vs. 100 mW IIRC.

One note, the current Shure rechargeable kit is LI-Ion and lasts a very long time.  Last i checked the Senn rechargeable kit was Ni-MH.  works well enough though.  And you can even buy battery packs cheap from china so that's a thing.  :) 

I will agree that the price difference is a bit much.  If you've been happy with the Sennys, i'd just stick with them.  Even with everything i said above...
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brian maddox
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Luke Geis

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Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2019, 08:24:01 PM »

Having used both recently, my thoughts are this. For the money, the Sennheiser gives you a LOT of bang for the buck. The noise floor things does take some work to dial in, but it can be set up to work more than acceptably. The PSM1000 is pretty nice, but it is still not the best thing since sliced bread. I noticed, as with all IEM packs, that the stereo imaging is still not all that great and it does have a sound. I.E. it does not sound the same as when you plug your earbuds directly into a que'd mix from the mixer. The Sennheiser isn't any better really, but it isn't much worse either. Both are acceptable units and both perform well.

I would consider your budget and what part of the playing field you're really in. If you truly can justify $5k for two mixes, then obviously that is the way to go, if you are on the fence and you really can't afford ( more justify ) the cost of the PSM1000's, the Sennheiser stuff will honestly work great for you.
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Andrew Broughton

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Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2019, 08:26:31 PM »

Shure does have a higher transmit power, but that doesn't matter much most of the time.  30mW, vs. 100 mW IIRC.
Matters a lot in my world where I'm fighting RF hash from Chinese LED walls! However, I now use combiners that can boost the RF output up to 250mw if need be, so not an issue.

Quote
One note, the current Shure rechargeable kit is LI-Ion and lasts a very long time.  Last i checked the Senn rechargeable kit was Ni-MH.  works well enough though.  And you can even buy battery packs cheap from china so that's a thing.  :)
The Shures are almost unusable without their $100 rechargeable. I can just use decent NiMh batteries in the 300's. Can't do that with the 1000's.

Quote
I will agree that the price difference is a bit much.  If you've been happy with the Sennys, i'd just stick with them.  Even with everything i said above...
The Shure's are a great product for sure (I've had 8 channels out for 3 years now), but like their other flagship products, it's WAY overpriced.


BUT... RF performance is very important. hopefully someone has done some measurements of the 2 systems...
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-Andy

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Andrew Broughton

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Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2019, 08:28:28 PM »

I may get laughed at by the big boys, but at least take a look at MIPro mi-909 reviews.
Even if everything else were equal, the high latency of this system makes it a non-starter for me.


What I REALLY want is for Lectro to come out with a v2 of their Duet with rechargeable packs and the other missing features, but I'm getting tired of waiting...
« Last Edit: April 26, 2019, 08:35:47 PM by Andrew Broughton »
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-Andy

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ProSoundWeb Community

Re: Shure PSM1000 vs Sennheiser EW300IEM-G4
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2019, 08:28:28 PM »


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