Lavalier or headset/earset microphone? Which one should I use? It’s the question for the ages…. OK, so maybe not the question for the ages, but an important consideration in the worship environment none-the-less. Which one should you use? Well the answer of course, is a definitive, “It depends.” Each style has its own strengths and weaknesses. And each style also has its own options, primarily in terms of pickup pattern (omni or cardioid) or mounting methodology.
Implementations of head- and earworn mics include styles where the mic boom comes from either above or below the ear. The needs of the situation or circumstances will be a main factor in determining whether to use a lav, head- or earworn mic. Other deciding factors include personal preference of the person you will be mic’ing as well as your personal preference.
My church recently completed a production where I had planned for all the performers to use lavs. We had more lavs in our inventory and I felt I would get a consistency in sound quality from person to person. During rehearsal it became evident that one of the younger performers just couldn’t project enough to get a good sound with a lavalier. And the background music was building while he was speaking, which made it difficult to get his lines over the music. I switched to one of the earworn mics I had, and due to the placement of the mic element closer to the performer’s mouth, I was able to get the gain I needed. On other productions, if a performer is in “character’ and has a singing part so they can’t really use a handheld, I’ll generally use an earworn mic.
Productions aside, for use in a regular service, a head/earworn mic can work well for a worship leader that needs to use their hands—like a guitar or keyboard player—or needs to have a fair amount of mobility. I’ve also found that youth and kids ministry leaders, in general, like to use head- or earworn mics. Senior pastors can go either way, and it usually depends on personal preference. My pastor prefers to use a lavalier. We’ve got a wireless bodypack, a console channel, and some outboard processing gear dedicated to the pastor’s mic, so we can get a good consistent sound from week to week.
Let’s take a look at some of the available products. We’ll sample a lavalier as well as a head/earworn mic from each manufacturer’s lineup. Be sure to visit the manufacturers’ websites for more detailed info and other products within their lines.
AKG HC 577 HEADSET
AKG features the HC 577 headset with a behind-the-neck headband and dual earpieces for stability. The mic may be fitted to wear on the left or right of the face, and features an omnidirectional pickup pattern. Its frequency response is 20 Hz-20 kHz, while maximum SPL is 133 dB. The CK 77 lavalier is an omnidirectional mic, as well, with a 20 Hz-20 kHz frequency response and a max SPL of 133 db. Available colors include matte black, white and beige.
(818) 920-3212 | www.akg.com
AUDIO-TECHNICA BP892 HEADSET
The BP892 from Audio-Technica comes with a dual-ear microphone mount. The dual-ear system offers more stability. The omnidirectional condenser mic is available in versions for wired or wireless use. Frequency response is 20 Hz-20 kHz . And maximum input level is 135 dB with 104 dB of dynamic range. The BP 896 subminiature mic provides similar performance characteristics but in a lavalier form factor. Included accessories are additional windscreens, element covers, and various clip configurations. Finishes include black or beige.
(330) 686-2600 | www.audio-technica.com
AUDIX HT5 HEADSET
Audix’s HT5 Slim-line headset microphone comes in beige or black and termination options include three- and four-pin mini XLR connectors for wired or wireless use. The dual-ear design features an omnidirectional element with a frequency range of 20 Hz-20 kHz and a maximum SPL of 140 dB. The L5 lavalier is available with either an omni or cardioid capsule. Maximum SPL is 130 dB and frequency response is 40 Hz-20 kHz for the cardioid and 20 Hz-20 kHz for the omni.
(503) 682-6933 | www.audixusa.com
COUNTRYMAN B3 LAVALIER
The B3 omnidirectional lavalier microphone from Countryman is available in five colors to match complexions of the wearer. The mic comes with a protective cap that also acts to control the high-frequency response characteristic of the mic (flat, +4 dB, or +8 dB at 15 kHz) and is available in two different sensitivities. The E2 earset microphone features a short boom and a cardioid pickup pattern. The frequency response is 20 Hz-20 kHz, and the overload sound level is 130 dB.
(800) 669-1422 | www.countryman.com
DACAPPO DA04BE LAVALIER
The DaCappo DA04BE lav is available in either omni or cardioid with frequency responses of 20 Hz-20 kHz and 50 Hz-15 kHz, respectively. Adapter options for a wide variety of wireless transmitters are available for both the lavalier and the earset mics. The DA12BE earset is available in a cardioid or omni version and utilizes the same capsules as the lavalier. Three colors are offered—coffee, beige and black.
(714) 522-8878 | www.hosatech.com
DPA 4066 HEADSET
DPA’s 4066 omnidirectional headband mic can be used on the right or left side of the face and features a maximum SPL of 144 dB. The mic comes with two Boost Grids that can help shape the sound to your liking. The 4066 is available in three colors (black, beige, brown) and three sizes (small, normal, large). The 4080 Miniature Cardioid lavalier features a 4 dB presence boost for vocal intelligibility and comes with an attached black pop filter and an accessory white pop filter. Max SPL is 134 dB.
(303) 485-1025 | www.dpamicrophones.com
ELECTRO-VOICE RE92TX LAVALIER
The cardioid RE92TX lavalier from Electro-Voice (EV) features a 135 dB maximum level and a frequency response of 40 Hz-20 kHz. The mic comes in black and includes a two-stage windscreen and tie clip. The RE97-2TX headworn mic has an omnidirectional pickup and can be worn on either side of the head. Frequency response is 50 Hz-15 kHz with a max SPL of 125 dB.
(800) 392-3497 | www.electrovoice.com
GALAXY AUDIO AS-LV LAVALIER
Galaxy offers up the AS-LV unidirectional lavalier. The frequency response is 100 Hz-16 kHz and maximum input SPL is 110 dB. The HSE headset mic is available with either an omnidirectional or unidirectional mic element with respective frequency responses of 20 Hz-20 kHz and 70 Hz-16 kHz. Also featured is a detachable cable and choice of three colors.
(316) 263-2852 | www.galaxyaudio.com
LECTROSONICS HM 172 HEADSET
Lectrosonics features the HM 172 earset microphone with a frequency response of 50 Hz-20 kHz and an omnidirectional pickup pattern. Maximum SPL is 125 dB. Accessories include a replaceable HF peak cap, two windscreens, and a cable retaining clip. The mic comes in a beige color. The M119 Electret (condenser) Lavalier offers an omnidirectional pattern with frequency response of 40 Hz-15,000 Hz.
(800) 821-1121 | www.lectrosonics.com
POINT SOURCE AUDIO CO-7 HEADSET
The Point Source Audio CO-7 Earworn microphone features an unbreakable mic boom, bendable up to 360-degrees. The mic can be worn on either ear and is convertible into a dual earset mic, as well. The omnidirectional element has a frequency response of 30 Hz-18 kHz and a maximum SPL of 135 dB. Available colors are beige, tan and black.
(415) 226-1122 | www.point-sourceaudio.com
PROVIDER SERIES PSM1 HEADSET
The Provider Series PSM1 omnidirectional headworn microphone is a dual ear design with an adjustable mic boom, which can also be worn right or left on the head. Frequency response is 20 Hz-20 kHz. The mic is available in three sensitivities and two colors (black or tan). The PSL6 lavalier offers 20 Hz-20 kHz frequency response and a maximum SPL of 130 dB. Provider also markets the Head-Clip product that enables using lavalier mics as a headworn system.
(770) 338-0999 | www.providerseries.com
SAMSON SE50 HEADSET
Samson’s SE50 omnidirectional earworn microphone provides a frequency response of 20 Hz-20 kHz and a max SPL of 140 dB. The mic includes adapters for use with wireless transmitters from other manufacturers. Available colors are black and beige. The QL5 cardioid lavalier features a frequency response of 60 Hz-15 kHz and a maximum SPL of 132.
(631) 784-2200 | www.samsontech.com
SENNHEISER MKE 1 LAVALIER
The MKE 1 lavalier from Sennheiser comes with an assortment of accessories, including a small frequency response cap, which adjusts the high-frequency response, a multi-purpose cap, which can be used for attenuating wind noise, and three makeup protection caps. The mic features an omnidirectional pickup pattern and a frequency response of 20 Hz-20 kHz. Also available are the HSP 2 or 4 (omni or cardioid) headworn microphones. The mic booms are interchangeable with the neck band and can be worn either right or left on the face.
(860) 434-9190 | www.sennheiserusa.com
SHURE WCM16 HEADSET
The Shure WCM16 hypercardioid headworn mic features a 50 Hz-18 kHz frequency response and a maximum SPL of 150 dB. The WL185 Cardioid lavalier mic has a pickup angle of 130 degrees, a frequency response of 50 Hz-17 kHz and a maximum SPL of 130.5 dB SPL. Additional lavs include the WL 184 supercardioid and the WL 183 omni electret condenser mics.
(800) 257-4873 | www.shure.com
SONY ECM322BMP HEADSET
Sony’s ECM322BMP is an omnidirectional headworn mic that can be worn on the left or the right. Frequency response is 50 Hz-18 kHz with a max SPL of 115 dB. The ECM66BC unidirectional lavalier mic features a 70 Hz-14 kHz frequency response and a maximum SPL of 130 dB.
(800) 222-7669 | www.sony.com
