The XSW IEM set from high-quality manufacturer Sennheiser delivers wireless in-ear monitoring at an entry-level price. The beginner-friendly, easy-to-use set includes a UHF transmitter with belt pack as well as a pair of earphones for users looking to switch to in-ear monitoring at their next gig or band rehearsal. Although features of more high-end transmission systems, such as a greater selection of carrier frequencies, deeper audio transmission ranges, and network capability, are reserved for the higher-priced model series, the XSW IEM system's budget-friendly in-ear monitoring delivers the goods in terms of transmission power and features an ultra-lightweight belt pack with built-in focus mode, making it ideal for band setups. The set, which works between 476 and 500Mhz and is also available for other frequency bands, can also be used without a licence in Germany.
The XSW IEM system is designed to help users level up their sound, delivering a consistently familiar monitor sound on any stage to that experienced in the rehearsal room. The sound experience starts at 45Hz and continues through to 15kHz, with the earphones designed to accommodate frequency ranges of 40Hz to 20kHz. The transmitter and receiver are ready to send one or two signals to the musician's ears as soon they are operating on a common frequency. The belt pack is equipped with four buttons and a volume control for adjusting the signal balance, limiter, EQ, and band-compatible focus mode and comes in a lightweight design, tipping the scales at around 110g including batteries, for a comfortable performance. The transmitter housing, measuring 200 x 128 x 42mm, is half the width of a 19" rack and weighs 700g.
The Sennheiser XSW IEM is the perfect entry-level system, featuring ready-to-use frequency presets that allow the first steps to be carried out in minutes. Musicians and actors can adjust the volume to taste during their performance courtesy of the belt pack, while the charge level of the two standard AA batteries, which last up to six hours, is constantly displayed on the receiver. Band musicians will also benefit from the inclusion of a focus mode, which can be used to send two audio signals to their belts packs, enabling them to create their own individual mixes. A reliable signal transmission is guaranteed during hectic live performances courtesy of the securely screw-mounted BNC antenna and the lockable input sockets on the transmitter. Touring artists will also benefit from both the transmitter's robust metal housing and the ability to adjust the input sensitivity to the output level of the club's mixing console.
In June 1945, Prof. Fritz Sennheiser founded the Wennebostel Laboratory, which initially produced measuring equipment. Commissioned by Siemens in 1945, the young company developed the MD-1 microphone, which was launched in 1946. After the development of further microphones, the company was renamed Sennheiser Electronic in 1958. Two years later, Sennheiser introduced the MD 421 dynamic microphone, which is still in production today and still held in high esteem by many sound engineers. Further groundbreaking developments, such as the HD 414 headphones and the MD 441 microphone classic, hugely enhanced the company’s international reputation, eventually making Sennheiser one of the leading manufacturers of microphone and headphone systems in the world.
Anyone who uses the XSW IEM system in rehearsal rooms and not just for performances can also enjoy the same monitor sound here as they encounter during gigs. Using focus mode, where the two input signals are sent to the two receivers, where they are also separately mixed, individual band members such as the lead singer, for example, can prioritise their own voices based on the overall band sound. This involves routing a main mix to one AUX patch and the vocals to another, while the singer regulates the balance between vocals and band mix independently from the belt pack. Just one transmitter is capable of delivering sound to any number of receivers, making this sufficient for the entire band. Each band member can then decide how best to mix the two channels as part of their own monitoring experience.