New Sennheiser Wireless Generation coming out?

Bill Mecca · May 21st, 2009, 01:30 PM

I was talking to a sound tech at an Atlantic City Casino last Friday and he indicated there was a class action suit, and because of that allthe manufacturers were to re-crystal the 700 band units free. I can't seem to find anything out about that, so maybe he was blowing smoke or ill-informed.

I have a G2 and am investigating with our purchasing department about what to do. With the current budget crisis (first unpaid furlough day is tomorrow) not sure if there is any $$ to purchase a new system, even with a rebate. Trying to get them to track down exactly when we purchased the system. I don't use it much but it did save my butt once at a high profile event. (first time I used it) short story, I ws all hardwired and taped down in the State House, great sound check etc. then just as the event starts, the sound craps out. turns out it was a faulty Whirlwind mult box. They had set up a second box on the other side of the room. but there was no way I could rip up the cables or lay new ones, lots of dignataries were seated. So I plugged in the receiver and pop the Xmitter on the other mult box and everything worked out. whew!

Oh and during breakdown I took a look at the faulty mult box, and on the side of it there was an old work label that said "DO NOT USE" so much for their press office being on the ball.

Ilya Spektor · May 22nd, 2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Seeman

Still no sign of it at B&H. As noted above it stinks because I can't take advantage of the rebate because there are no frequencies available in NYC for Sennheiser until G3 is available.

Craig,
You can buy G3 ENG set from here (for only $634.99 USD - you have to call them first):
Sennheiser Wireless. Evolution G2, G3, 2000, 3000 & 5000 Series Wireless

I bought my G2 (C-range ENG set) from them - they gave me unbeatable price then also; it was before 2006, so it doesn't make any sense for me to go for the $40 rebate (lav mic alone costs more...)

Does anyone know, if C-range unit (illegal in US after June 12) can be sold abroad, where it still might be legal?..

Craig Seeman · May 22nd, 2009, 09:11 AM

Thanks for that Ilya. I believe NYC would need the G range. Sony has updated their charts yet but they told me as of May 1 they'd have the info needed.

BTW it looks to be $800 for Lav, Hand held base, receiver and Inventory Status shows Special Order (not In stock).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilya Spektor

Craig,
You can buy G3 ENG set from here (for only $634.99 USD - you have to call them first):
Sennheiser Wireless. Evolution G2, G3, 2000, 3000 & 5000 Series Wireless

I bought my G2 (C-range ENG set) from them - they gave me unbeatable price then also; it was before 2006, so it doesn't make any sense for me to go for the $40 rebate (lav mic alone costs more...)

Does anyone know, if C-range unit (illegal in US after June 12) can be sold abroad, where it still might be legal?..

Brett Sherman · May 26th, 2009, 08:10 AM

Is anyone aware of plans for a phantom power plug-on transmitter for the G3 series? It seems like a huge oversight.

Andy Wilkinson · May 26th, 2009, 08:45 AM

I'm not aware if this is planned or not.

You could (I'm sure) use a G2 generation SKP500 which, as no doubt you know, looks exactly like the SKP100 but HAS the 48V switchable Phantom power option in the menu that the SKP100 does not.

I have one and it works really well (with my G2 systems)...well at least here in rural England it does!

Brett Sherman · May 26th, 2009, 02:29 PM

Are the older G2 devices able to work with a G3 receiver? I haven't been able to figure that out from their website.

Greg Bellotte · May 26th, 2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett Sherman

Are the older G2 devices able to work with a G3 receiver? I haven't been able to figure that out from their website.

yes and no. they use the same modulation and companding techniques, but the new units tune more frequencies than the old. as long as you can find useable frequencies in the older ranges then yes they will work fine and are compatible.

for you phantom plug on users, the skp2000 replaces the skp500g2.

this info from robb@sennheiser during NAB09.

John Willett · May 27th, 2009, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett Sherman

Is anyone aware of plans for a phantom power plug-on transmitter for the G3 series? It seems like a huge oversight.

It *is* available - it's the SKP 2000.

The new 2000 series is the replacement for G2 500 / 550 series.

So the replacement for the EK 500 G2 camera receiver is the EK 2000.

G3 300 and 500 replace G2 300.

Brett Sherman · May 27th, 2009, 07:15 PM

Sorry to be dense about this. But the Sennheiser website offers very little info and doesn't arrange their products logically.

Will the SKP2000 plug-on transmitter work with a EK-100 G3 camera receiver?

I'd like to get the 100 series for a lavalier and then get a phantom-powered plug-on transmitter to use with the same receiver. Looking at the list price for the 2000 maybe getting the older 500 might be the way to go.

Andy Wilkinson · May 28th, 2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett Sherman

......But the Sennheiser website offers very little info and doesn't arrange their products logically.

Will the SKP2000 plug-on transmitter work with a EK-100 G3 camera receiver?

I complained directly to Sennheiser last year about how lacking in basic, clear information their website product specs were when I discovered it was nigh on impossible to determine if the G2 Series SKP500 plug-in transmitter worked with my G2 100 Series receiver (it really was n't clear if 100 and 500 Series could talk to each other). Anyway, thanks to this forum, yet again, I was quickly informed they do - and so bought one! BTW, I never heard a thing back from Senny other than the appropriate Marketing woman was on holiday and "could I contact her on her return?".....not my idea of customer service!!!! (she should contact me, right???)

I suspect it will be the same thing here, the G3 SKP2000 (link below) SHOULD work with any G3 receiver, including the 100 Series one you mention...BUT I'm sure someone who knows all the details will again inform us soon - so don't rely on my hunch (or their ambiguous website!) until we know for sure.

Sennheiser Worldwide - SKP 2000

John Willett · May 28th, 2009, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett Sherman

Sorry to be dense about this. But the Sennheiser website offers very little info and doesn't arrange their products logically.

It is logical in a Germanic sort of way - the UK sits on the back of the main website so that any updates immediately get incorporated into the pages. The wireless products are shown by type rather than series.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett Sherman

Will the SKP2000 plug-on transmitter work with a EK-100 G3 camera receiver?

Yes - any evolution will work with any evolution (and that *includes* the 2000 series) as long as they are both on the same frequency.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett Sherman

I'd like to get the 100 series for a lavalier and then get a phantom-powered plug-on transmitter to use with the same receiver. Looking at the list price for the 2000 maybe getting the older 500 might be the way to go.

Yes - this will be fins as long as you get the transmitter to match the frequency window of your 100 G3.

Brett Sherman · May 28th, 2009, 07:44 AM

Are there significant advantages to the SKP 2000 over the SKP 500? I realize the 2000 has a broader range of frequencies, but that doesn't make a big difference since I'm more limited by the 100 series receiver. The SKP 500 B-Band goes from 630-662 and the EW 100 G3 receiver goes from 626-662 so I'm only losing 4mhz of possible frequencies.

The SKP 500 is less than half the price of the 2000.

Greg Bellotte · May 28th, 2009, 09:49 PM

if you have a 100 series rx i see no need to go beyond the skp500g2. btw-my b units are all 626-662, incl the skp500g2.

John Willett · May 29th, 2009, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett Sherman

Are there significant advantages to the SKP 2000 over the SKP 500?

Definitely - YES - (see below)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett Sherman

I realize the 2000 has a broader range of frequencies, but that doesn't make a big difference since I'm more limited by the 100 series receiver. The SKP 500 B-Band goes from 630-662 and the EW 100 G3 receiver goes from 626-662 so I'm only losing 4mhz of possible frequencies.

The SKP 500 is less than half the price of the 2000.

Actually:
G3 range B is 626 - 668 MHz
G2 range B is 626 - 662 MHz

It's the same bottom frequency, but you get an extra 6MHz at the top end with G3.

Where did you get your figures from?

2000 series range Bw is 626 - 698 MHz

2000 series replaces G2 500 series - although the main difference between the SKP 500 G2 and the SKP 2000 is the wider tuning window, there is more.........

........ and the reason the SKP 2000 is that much more expensive.

The SKP 2000 has adjustable output power: 10 / 30 / 50 mW - and the USA version also has 100 mW (which is illegal elsewhere).

So - if you need range - the SKP 2000 may be the better bet.

Brett Sherman · May 29th, 2009, 09:00 AM

I got the numbers off a retailers description of the item, so I'm sure they made an error.

Mostly I'm less than 20 feet from the transmitter. For press conferences or events I might be as far as 100 feet away. So I'm thinking the 500 would be fine.

May 21st, 2009, 01:30 PM	#46
Bill Mecca Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 475	I was talking to a sound tech at an Atlantic City Casino last Friday and he indicated there was a class action suit, and because of that allthe manufacturers were to re-crystal the 700 band units free. I can't seem to find anything out about that, so maybe he was blowing smoke or ill-informed. I have a G2 and am investigating with our purchasing department about what to do. With the current budget crisis (first unpaid furlough day is tomorrow) not sure if there is any $$ to purchase a new system, even with a rebate. Trying to get them to track down exactly when we purchased the system. I don't use it much but it did save my butt once at a high profile event. (first time I used it) short story, I ws all hardwired and taped down in the State House, great sound check etc. then just as the event starts, the sound craps out. turns out it was a faulty Whirlwind mult box. They had set up a second box on the other side of the room. but there was no way I could rip up the cables or lay new ones, lots of dignataries were seated. So I plugged in the receiver and pop the Xmitter on the other mult box and everything worked out. whew! Oh and during breakdown I took a look at the faulty mult box, and on the side of it there was an old work label that said "DO NOT USE" so much for their press office being on the ball. __________________ Award-winning Pine Barrens Documentary! Video, Audio, Music & More

May 26th, 2009, 08:45 AM	#50
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	I'm not aware if this is planned or not. You could (I'm sure) use a G2 generation SKP500 which, as no doubt you know, looks exactly like the SKP100 but HAS the 48V switchable Phantom power option in the menu that the SKP100 does not. I have one and it works really well (with my G2 systems)...well at least here in rural England it does! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

May 29th, 2009, 09:00 AM	#60
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	I got the numbers off a retailers description of the item, so I'm sure they made an error. Mostly I'm less than 20 feet from the transmitter. For press conferences or events I might be as far as 100 feet away. So I'm thinking the 500 would be fine. Last edited by Brett Sherman; May 29th, 2009 at 09:24 AM. Reason: Additional Info

May 26th, 2009, 08:10 AM	#49
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	Is anyone aware of plans for a phantom power plug-on transmitter for the G3 series? It seems like a huge oversight.

May 26th, 2009, 02:29 PM	#51
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	Are the older G2 devices able to work with a G3 receiver? I haven't been able to figure that out from their website.

May 27th, 2009, 07:15 PM	#54
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	Sorry to be dense about this. But the Sennheiser website offers very little info and doesn't arrange their products logically. Will the SKP2000 plug-on transmitter work with a EK-100 G3 camera receiver? I'd like to get the 100 series for a lavalier and then get a phantom-powered plug-on transmitter to use with the same receiver. Looking at the list price for the 2000 maybe getting the older 500 might be the way to go.

May 28th, 2009, 07:44 AM	#57
Brett Sherman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mount Rainier, MD Posts: 428	Are there significant advantages to the SKP 2000 over the SKP 500? I realize the 2000 has a broader range of frequencies, but that doesn't make a big difference since I'm more limited by the 100 series receiver. The SKP 500 B-Band goes from 630-662 and the EW 100 G3 receiver goes from 626-662 so I'm only losing 4mhz of possible frequencies. The SKP 500 is less than half the price of the 2000.

May 28th, 2009, 09:49 PM	#58
Greg Bellotte Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 291	if you have a 100 series rx i see no need to go beyond the skp500g2. btw-my b units are all 626-662, incl the skp500g2.