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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => Wireless and Communications => Topic started by: Zach Geist on November 01, 2019, 08:44:45 PM

Title: Scalable IEM System
Post by: Zach Geist on November 01, 2019, 08:44:45 PM

Hey Gurus,

We are looking to start investing in some IEM systems that also scale well. Current items we are looking at:

-IEM: PSM1000's
-Combiners: RAD TX-8, Shure PA821B
-Antennas (or antennae lol): PWS S8089, PA805

Please feel free to throw out other makes/models.

As far as scaling, I know the PA821's allow you to chain two units, giving you a total of 16 channels on 1 antenna. How would y'all go about combining 8, 16, or even higher counts of channels? Perhaps at that point you start increasing TX antenna counts?

Thanks everyone,
Zach

Title: Re: Scalable IEM System
Post by: MikeHarris on November 02, 2019, 01:20:15 AM

With the questions of channel count I do hope your are aware to get to the point where you worry about more than 8 channels your investment is @$45000.00

Title: Re: Scalable IEM System
Post by: Scott Helmke on November 02, 2019, 11:27:48 AM

At our shop more than 16 channels (2x PA821 into one of the passive combiners) means more antennas. 

We don't have any fixed packages - everything is assembled for each show or rental.

Title: Re: Scalable IEM System
Post by: Gian Luca Cavalliini on November 02, 2019, 01:27:30 PM

Quote from: Zach Geist on November 01, 2019, 08:44:45 PM

Please feel free to throw out other makes/models.

Wisycom.
High Price, VERY high quality. If you have budget... best IEM I ever used  :)

Title: Re: Scalable IEM System
Post by: Henry Cohen on November 02, 2019, 01:41:17 PM

Quote from: Zach Geist on November 01, 2019, 08:44:45 PM

As far as scaling, I know the PA821's allow you to chain two units, giving you a total of 16 channels on 1 antenna. How would y'all go about combining 8, 16, or even higher counts of channels? Perhaps at that point you start increasing TX antenna counts?

Scaling up means compromise. As channel counts increase;

- Give up ERP (effective radiated power per channel) if doing passive combining of active combiners, which is what the built in 2-way combiner in the PA821 provides.

- Give up space / foot print by adding an antenna, and associated mounting, for each combiner.

- Give up cash to build, or have built, a proper custom X-way input transmit combiner.

Best to determine actual worst case need, then design, build, compromise around that.


And I second Wisycom for an absolutely terrific IEM product, and the associated combiner.

Title: Re: Scalable IEM System
Post by: BradPinder on November 04, 2019, 05:49:03 AM

Any thoughts on the Sennheiser ew300 IEM? can only combine the 4 channels, but look to be a lower cost.

Title: Re: Scalable IEM System
Post by: Keith Broughton on November 04, 2019, 06:18:47 AM

Quote from: BradPinder on November 04, 2019, 05:49:03 AM

Any thoughts on the Sennheiser ew300 IEM? can only combine the 4 channels, but look to be a lower cost.

I had a chance recently to use the Sennheiser and Shure 900 series and did a comparison.
RF wise, I think they are about the same but the output level on the Shure was a bit higher.
They both sounded good to me but someone who uses them regularly night have another POV.