Karaoke Forums

I have a Shure that i paid over $300 for.  I am having a hard time understanding what you all are so scared of?????

That Shure wireless has been used, don't think it was dropped that i know of.  I know that if it was, it will hold up, as opposed to a $60 or $100 mic.

I have hosts that use the higher end shurs with the multiple frequencies,and also wired SM58's, THEY HOLD UP

The first poster has now spen $160 on mics that are now in the trash.  That is $160 that he could have saved and put towards a decent Shure or higher end Audio Technica system.

Do I own a freeway 200 series by Audio Technica - yes i do, it is a wireless bodypack with an ATM75 headset mic, and it works great for what i use it for - announcing and doing trivia shows when both hands need to be free.

The only two parts of a SM58 wireless that i can think that would be damaged would be the battery cap and the grille, both are probably $5 each from Shure

NOW, i am not going to hand every staggering drunk a wireless mic, that is why I get the wireless back from the singer and don't leave it on a stand.  putting a mic on a stand seems to be the best way to get it dropped; either they can't get it out and when they do it goes flying, or they can't get it back into the clip.

Let's do some math:

Case#1:  host buys a $100 wireless mic set.  The set is NOT dual diversity, and is VHF.  This set cuts out if the singer goes too far (most will cause of interference and non-diversity).  This mic sounds ok.  The host plays friday and saturday nights at various bars, clubs, and resturants.  After 3 months of regular use this mic breaks (either through wear & Tear, dropped, purposly broken, etc)

ORIGINAL COST $100
Life 3 months or 24 shows (2 shows per week * 4 weeks a month * 3 months)
cost per show $4.17

Case 2:  host buys a multiple frequency SHURE PGX24/SM58 WIRELESS HANDHELD .  This is a UHF Dual diversity unit with 90 selectable frequencies.  This set will switch receivers if one gets a better signal, the range is long enough for all of the areas you play, no interference, if you do, you change the channel on the mic and receiver (which is basically holding the bottom of the mic to the reciver and hitting a button) This thing is sweet sounding.  The unit takes minor bumps and is dropped a few times, (no mic body slams).  This mic lasts you 3 years and counting.

Original cost $399.99 (PSSL)
Life 3 years, 36 months, 312 shows and then some
cost per show $1.28  
and as an added bonus this mic uses cheaper AA batteries, so you are not buying costly 9V batteries.  Shure rates that 2 AA batteries will allow 8 hours of continious use

Do the shure's last 3 years and counting - yes they do...... I know hosts that have had the same Shure mics for 3 years, they lost one system due to voltage issues (which cause more harm than one can imagine), but even then that unit was over 4 years old when that happened.

If you buy good NOW you spend less later.  That mic system in case#1 at the rate of failure you would have spent over $1200 in replacing them, and still ended with just one mic system, where you could have bought and kept 3 higher-end ones working.