Sennheiser has announced the introduction of the new XS Wireless IEM in-ear monitoring system, designed as a “starter set” for bands and musicians and operating in the UHF range.
“No matter what your musical genre, whether you are rehearsing or performing live, XSW IEM will level up your sound and give you total freedom of movement,” says Bertram Zimmermann, product manager at Sennheiser. “Being able to hear yourself with clarity is a pre-requisite for a great performance. XSW IEM will give you consistency, reliability, and quality audio, and will let you focus on playing and singing your best.”
XSW IEM comes with aligned and pre-calculated frequency presets, and if desired, transmission frequencies can also be selected manually. Backlit displays on both the receiver bodypack and the rack-mount transmitter are designed to help to clearly see settings, even in poor lighting conditions. An onboard limiter helps protect the user’s hearing, and a high-frequency boost is designed to increase detail and intelligibility.
Users can opt for a mono mix (one mix, and the pan control adjusts the volume for the left and right ear) or a stereo mix. The latter provides two options: With Focus mode switched off, the pan control will change the left/right volume; with Focus mode switched on, it will determine which of the two input signals will be heard louder. An infrared sensor helps to sync multiple bodypack receivers to one transmitter.
Each XSW IEM includes a stereo bodypack receiver, batteries and in-ear monitors along with a stereo transmitter with antenna, rack-mount kit and a power supply with various country adapters. When starting out, using one transmitter and any number of bodypack receivers is a cost-effective way to monitor a band’s sound. At a later point in their career, they may want to create more individual mixes, and can do so by simply adding an additional IEM transmitter.
XSW IEM retails at $699 USD (MSRP), additional receivers and transmitters at $399 USD (MSRP) each. It’s available in five UHF frequency ranges that are aligned with the XSW family of wireless microphones and instrument transmitters (see technical data below).
“Once musicians have tried out wireless in-ears, they will not want to go back to wedges,” says Zimmermann. “The difference in sound is just too obvious. Hearing yourself well through floor monitors, side fills, or even the PA can be a real struggle. The sound changes constantly, especially when you move around, and is also very different from venue to venue. Trying to hear yourself better by increasing the monitor volume makes things worse, even to the point of causing hearing damage. Also, the overall sound for the audience will deteriorate substantially.”
Technical Data
XSW IEM SR Stereo Transmitter
Modulation: FM stereo
Frequency ranges and max. RF power:
A: 476 – 500 MHz (30 mW)
B: 572 – 596 MHz (30 mW)
C: 662 – 686 MHz (30 mW)
E: 823.2 – 831.8 MHz (30 mW)
K: 925.2 – 937.3 MHz (10 mW)
Switching bandwidth: up to 24 MHz
AF frequency response: 45 Hz to 15 kHz
Audio inputs: 2x XLR-3 / ¼“ (6.3 mm) jack combo socket, electronically balanced
Total harmonic distortion (THD): <0.9 %
Signal-to-noise ratio: ≥88 dB
Temperature range: 0 °C to +40 °C
Input rating: +12 V DC
Current consumption: approx. 400mA (depending on volume level)
Dimensions: approx. 200 x 128 x 42 mm
Weight: approx. 700 g
XSW IEM EK Stereo Receiver
Switching bandwidth: up to 24 MHz
Signal-to-noise ratio (1 mV, peak deviation): ≥88 dB
Total harmonic distortion (THD): ≤1 %
AF output level at 3.5 mm: 2 x 1.25 Vrms at 16 ohms
High Boost (EQ): +10 dB at 13 kHz
Limiter: -10 dB
AF frequency response: 45 Hz to 15 kHz
Temperature range: 0 °C to +40 °C
Power supply: 2 AA batteries, 1.5 V
Operating time: approx. 6 hrs (depending on volume level)
Dimensions: approx. 95 x 70 x 26 mm
Weight (incl. batteries): approx. 110 g
IE 4 In-ear Headphones
Transducer: dynamic
Frequency response: 40-20,000 Hz
SPL (1 kHz, 1 mW): 106 dB
Nominal impedance: 6 ohms
Cable length: 1.4 m
Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8”) stereo plug, gold-plated
Temperature: –5 °C to +50 °C
