Lavaliere Shootout: Sanken COS-11D Vs. Sennheiser ME-2 at DVinfo.net

Chad Johnson · February 27th, 2010, 02:51 PM

Head to head Lav action!

I just picked up the Sanken COS-11D lav mic and I love it so far. I tested it against the Sennheiser ME-2 lav that comes with the G2 & G3 wireless packages. I found the COS-11D to be much more sensitive and open sounding.

I put both on simultaneously and used a G2 unit with the ME-2 and a G3 Unit wit the COS-11D. I adjusted the level so that they are at the same level. No processing on the audio.

Vimeo Video:

Nicholas de Kock · February 28th, 2010, 07:55 AM

Thanks for the review. The COS-11D definitely sounds better to me but at that price it should be better!

Chad Johnson · March 1st, 2010, 01:14 PM

I have to say Nicholas, that the second half of the video had the mic under my shirt, and my shirt has a design decal stitched right over where I placed the mic. If you notice the mic sounded great at the beginning, but got worse when I was holding the guitar. If I did it again I would have placed the mic under a better suited shirt. It does sound nice and open as far as mics go IMO. I agree though, that 400.00 is a lot to kick down for a lav mic.

Gary San Angel · March 1st, 2010, 11:14 PM

Excellent Chad!

Appreciate the test. I picked up the cos11D because I was a fan of the cos11x. Seems to be the same mic. Will test mine out with the Senn Sk2000 and SD552. Glad to see that the guitar and vocals picked up quite nice for just one mic. :)

Chad Johnson · March 2nd, 2010, 12:42 PM

Thanks Gary.

Indeed make your own comparison videos after you get your COS-11D. And at the DVStore they said the "X" is no discontinued, and the "D" is it's replacement. I ordered mine to have the Sennheiser G2/3 wireless 1/8" connector and it cost about 420.00 including one of those cool vampire clips. You need to specify about the sennheiser though, because they carry power to the mic. Not 48v, but whatever the G3 uses. The mic needs power. You can also buy an XLR thing that converts 48v to the voltage needed for the COS-11D.

Floris van Eck · March 4th, 2010, 02:21 AM

I found this link very helpful to compare different lavalier microphones:

Audio In Close Up - Which Lavalier Should I Use?"

Great comparison of the most respected lavalier microphones.

Paul Digges · March 4th, 2010, 11:56 AM

Floris, excellent link. I'll definitely be referring to that in the future. I'm at work right now but once I get home I'll check out Chad's video. I'm excited to watch it.

February 27th, 2010, 02:51 PM	#1
Chad Johnson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arcata, Ca Posts: 750	Lavaliere Shootout: Sanken COS-11D Vs. Sennheiser ME-2 Head to head Lav action! I just picked up the Sanken COS-11D lav mic and I love it so far. I tested it against the Sennheiser ME-2 lav that comes with the G2 & G3 wireless packages. I found the COS-11D to be much more sensitive and open sounding. I put both on simultaneously and used a G2 unit with the ME-2 and a G3 Unit wit the COS-11D. I adjusted the level so that they are at the same level. No processing on the audio. Vimeo Video: Lavaliere Shootout: Sanken COS-11D Vs. Sennheiser ME-2 on Vimeo __________________ My Work: http://www.youtube.com/ChadWork1 Sony FS5 :: Panasonic GH4 :: Sony PMW-EX1 :: FCPx :: AT4053b :: Rode NTG-3,

March 1st, 2010, 01:14 PM	#3
Chad Johnson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arcata, Ca Posts: 750	I have to say Nicholas, that the second half of the video had the mic under my shirt, and my shirt has a design decal stitched right over where I placed the mic. If you notice the mic sounded great at the beginning, but got worse when I was holding the guitar. If I did it again I would have placed the mic under a better suited shirt. It does sound nice and open as far as mics go IMO. I agree though, that 400.00 is a lot to kick down for a lav mic. __________________ My Work: http://www.youtube.com/ChadWork1 Sony FS5 :: Panasonic GH4 :: Sony PMW-EX1 :: FCPx :: AT4053b :: Rode NTG-3,

March 2nd, 2010, 12:42 PM	#5
Chad Johnson Major Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arcata, Ca Posts: 750	Thanks Gary. Indeed make your own comparison videos after you get your COS-11D. And at the DVStore they said the "X" is no discontinued, and the "D" is it's replacement. I ordered mine to have the Sennheiser G2/3 wireless 1/8" connector and it cost about 420.00 including one of those cool vampire clips. You need to specify about the sennheiser though, because they carry power to the mic. Not 48v, but whatever the G3 uses. The mic needs power. You can also buy an XLR thing that converts 48v to the voltage needed for the COS-11D. __________________ My Work: http://www.youtube.com/ChadWork1 Sony FS5 :: Panasonic GH4 :: Sony PMW-EX1 :: FCPx :: AT4053b :: Rode NTG-3,

February 28th, 2010, 07:55 AM	#2
Nicholas de Kock Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: KLD, South Africa Posts: 983	Thanks for the review. The COS-11D definitely sounds better to me but at that price it should be better!

March 1st, 2010, 11:14 PM	#4
Gary San Angel New Boot Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 16	Excellent Chad! Appreciate the test. I picked up the cos11D because I was a fan of the cos11x. Seems to be the same mic. Will test mine out with the Senn Sk2000 and SD552. Glad to see that the guitar and vocals picked up quite nice for just one mic. :)

March 4th, 2010, 02:21 AM	#6
Floris van Eck Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 993	I found this link very helpful to compare different lavalier microphones: Audio In Close Up - Which Lavalier Should I Use?" Great comparison of the most respected lavalier microphones.

March 4th, 2010, 11:56 AM	#7
Paul Digges Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 153	Floris, excellent link. I'll definitely be referring to that in the future. I'm at work right now but once I get home I'll check out Chad's video. I'm excited to watch it.