[AltoToniO]

Hi everyone,
I want to buy a wireless system for a microphone Shure Beta 98. The ideal would be to buy
the system with the Beta 98 included in a pack with no need to buy some extra stuff ( as a power phantom etc).
I was advised the PGX but it seems an old reference and difficult to get, same for QLX. On Thomann site , it seems that the BLX model is the most popular but there are different models and it's confusing me ( with different frequencies Mhz for instance, or different ref for the microphone ). Also i'd like a wireless system model with a good quality. I am ready to pay a little more if it really brings some confort and solidity.
For example, what are the differences between the Shure SLXD14E/98H K59 and the Shure BLX14/B98 S8 ?
Any suggestions are welcome
Thanks!

 

[JCBigler]

With wireless systems, the more you pay, the better the system is. The units will be lighter, smaller, use a single battery in stead of two, and last longer, but you pay for those things. The PGX is Shure's entry level system and is basically trash. Don't buy it. The SLX is their next level up and then the QLX and then the ULX is their top tier, but most expensive system. The more expensive systems will have have a wider frequency range that they can tune through so you get more options in what frequencies you can use if you are in an area with bad RF interference.

You need to check you country's RF spectrum requirements and make sure that you are buying a system that is legal to use in your country.

If you can afford the QLX line, that's probably your best bang for the buck. You should be able to get a system with the Beta 98 H/C included.

 

[AltoToniO]

Thank you JC, that's very informative. Do you think this SXL pack would be decent ?

Shure SLXD14E/98H K59

Système numérique sans fil UHF Gamme de fréquences K59 : 606 - 650 MHz, Livré avec micro cravate WB98 H/C noir, Caractéristique directionnelle du microphone : cardioïde, Limitation du niveau de pression acoustique : 143,5 dB, Transmission audio 24...

www.thomann.de

If i can find some availabale , which doesn't seem so easy, same for many models out of stock i wonder why

 

[AltoToniO]

With wireless systems, the more you pay, the better the system is. The units will be lighter, smaller, use a single battery in stead of two, and last longer, but you pay for those things. The PGX is Shure's entry level system and is basically trash. Don't buy it. The SLX is their next level up and then the QLX and then the ULX is their top tier, but most expensive system. The more expensive systems will have have a wider frequency range that they can tune through so you get more options in what frequencies you can use if you are in an area with bad RF interference.

You need to check you country's RF spectrum requirements and make sure that you are buying a system that is legal to use in your country.

If you can afford the QLX line, that's probably your best bang for the buck. You should be able to get a system with the Beta 98 H/C included.

Well actually JC it seems that there is a massive shortage of semiconductors due to Covid crisis and a lot of HF system won't be available before a long time ( dealers told me summer 2023 in Europe!). So i guess i am going to search for an other brand because decent Shure HF system are out of sock. I 'll create a new post in a couple of minutes.

 

[lostcircuits]

I've used the BLX14 system for years and never had any issues with it other than picking up ambient (drums, guitar) noise when playing life. The transmitter is compatible with any of the PGA98 series mics and the Shure service is excellent (I had a problem with the receiver, which turned out to be caused by a bad cable in the end), and they cross-shipped me a replacement unit because I had an upcoming gig). The only thing I don't like is that you are still having a body pack instead of a fully integrated mic/transmitter to clip on the bell.

 

[AltoToniO]

I've used the BLX14 system for years and never had any issues with it other than picking up ambient (drums, guitar) noise when playing life. The transmitter is compatible with any of the PGA98 series mics and the Shure service is excellent (I had a problem with the receiver, which turned out to be caused by a bad cable in the end), and they cross-shipped me a replacement unit because I had an upcoming gig). The only thing I don't like is that you are still having a body pack instead of a fully integrated mic/transmitter to clip on the bell.

Thanks Lostcircuits. But i guess that the BLX14 isn't compatible with the mike Beta 98 ?
Also do you know if the Shure HF PGX is equivalent to BLS ?
Anyone else with experience with Shure system are welcome. By the way, my need for this gear is professional: mainly in function bands with 3-10 musicians.
For info, a thomann hotliner just told me that according to him i didn't need a QLXD14 system and that this would have been really usefull if i was playing in huge orchestras.

 

[lostcircuits]

I have the PGA98H-TQG and the WB98H/C, the latter being the wireless version of the "Beta" and both work flawlessly with the BLX14. As long as you have the TA4F connector, it should work. I have a few other mics (for acoustic guitar) that I am running over the same setup without issues, all I need to do is adjust the bias on the transmitter for the different microphones. There is definitely a difference between the PGA and the WB, the WB being a little brighter in the sound that it pics up.

I can't answer the other question about the PGX / BLS but here is the Tech Resource page which should have most of the info you are looking for.

 

[AltoToniO]

I have the PGA98H-TQG and the WB98H/C, the latter being the wireless version of the "Beta" and both work flawlessly with the BLX14. As long as you have the TA4F connector, it should work. I have a few other mics (for acoustic guitar) that I am running over the same setup without issues, all I need to do is adjust the bias on the transmitter for the different microphones. There is definitely a difference between the PGA and the WB, the WB being a little brighter in the sound that it pics up.

I can't answer the other question about the PGX / BLS but here is the Tech Resource page which should have most of the info you are looking for.

Many thanks Lostcircuits

 

[JCBigler]

Well actually JC it seems that there is a massive shortage of semiconductors due to Covid crisis and a lot of HF system won't be available before a long time ( dealers told me summer 2023 in Europe!). So i guess i am going to search for an other brand because decent Shure HF system are out of sock. I 'll create a new post in a couple of minutes.

Lots of manufacturers are running long lead times for products because of the chip shortage created by the massive world wide shutdown due to Covid. It's not just Shure. I know Sennheiser was also running a near year long back log as was Yamaha. Focusrite is stating to get caught up and should be fully stocked by the spring.

I know it sucks, but if you have a preferred brand or product, probably the best course of action is to find a dealer you trust and place an order and just wait it out. Better to spend your money on the gear you want and get it eventually than to buy somethign that doesn't meet all your expectations just because it's available right now.

 

[lostcircuits]

Lots of manufacturers are running long lead times for products because of the chip shortage created by the massive world wide shutdown due to Covid. It's not just Shure. I know Sennheiser was also running a near year long back log as was Yamaha. Focusrite is stating to get caught up and should be fully stocked by the spring.

I know it sucks, but if you have a preferred brand or product, probably the best course of action is to find a dealer you trust and place an order and just wait it out. Better to spend your money on the gear you want and get it eventually than to buy somethign that doesn't meet all your expectations just because it's available right now.

The shortage was caused among other things by the heavy demand on headsets for work at home policies but that's eased up at least a year ago. If you go on Amazon and enter TA4F microphone you get a dozen pages of a dozen offerings. So there is plenty of stuff available, all you need to do is pick the one you want.

 

[AltoToniO]

Hi, for those who are curious about the end of this story i finally ordered a BLX14 coupled with a Microphone Beta 98. I was told that it was doing the job pretty well and if i ever feel change the wireless system later i will already have the Beta 98...

🎤 Shure BLX14/B98 S8

Système sans fil Série Beta Instrument, Avec un émetteur de poche BLX1 et un micro cravate Beta 98 H/C, Réponse en fréquence: 20 Hz - 20 kHz, Jusqu'à 7 systèmes en parallèle, Pilot tone, Scanner automatique des fréquences disponibles,...

www.thomann.de

Thanks for all your infos and advises

 

[AltoToniO]

Hi all, some news about the gear i purchased... I am for the moment very pleased with the wireless system Sure BLX14 and the microphone Beta 98. Easy to use and i really like the quality of the sound. If you want to hear how i sound with it, here is a demo i did recently :