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from Pro AV
San Diego, CA - August 01, 2006
Peer Reviewer:
Ken
Freeman, technical director with Meeting Services Inc. (MSI). MSI is a
San Diego-based, full-service AV rental & staging supplier and
systems integrator with more than 50 years in the business. More than
120 employees are based in its 70,000-square-foot warehouse and
offices.
My Pick:
AKG
WMS 4000 wireless microphone system, $1,358 to $2,095 MSRP, depending
on configuration. (The system includes the SR 4000 receiver with
rack-mount kit, PSU 4000 system power supply, PS 4000 antenna
distribution amplifier, SRA2B directional antenna, MK PS and MK A 20
antenna cables, HUB 4000 network hub, HT 4000 handheld transmitter with
C535WL/1 head, and PT 4000 bodypack transmitter with CK 97L and CK 55L
lavalier microphones.)
What I Like About It:
I
like the fact that the AKG WMS 4000 system can search and find its own
best frequencies in unpredictable and hostile RF environments. The
units are compact in design, made of real metal, put out a solid line
level, and (best of all) get their power through the antenna
distribution amplifier and master power supply. I also had the network
hub, but other than playing with it on initial setup, I found the front
panel controls to be both intuitive and responsive enough to not have
to pull out the laptop every time I needed to change anything.
Another
neat feature is the front panel control, which glows green when
everything is working well and glows red when there is or has been a
problem. We left the units on overnight to see what might be a problem
(yes, the batteries last that long), and the next day came in and see
if any had turned red. This became a great way to determine where we
might have problems. This also made for a very quick way to scan the
system for possible faults and a very quick "go/no go" on any given
channel.
I Would Change:
I'd
like the system to have an antenna loop-through, so I could put up a
two-channel package with full-sized antenna paddles and not have to add
in the antenna DA. I also wish there were fewer than 11 line items to
order to buy the kit, but that may be the price you pay for a well
engineered solution.
Where I Used It:
I
used the AKG 4000 system for the 2006 National Association of
Broadcasters (NAB) general session in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.
My Results:
I
put the AKG WMS 4000 system to the test at the 2006 NAB conference
general session using the AKG C535WL/1 head on the HT-4000 handhelds
and a CK-97L lavalier capsule with the PT 4000 belt packs. The system
worked very well in the extraordinarily difficult circumstances of a
very RF-intensive trade show. One of the key challenges for this event
was working around all the RF interference while still providing a
flexible presentation solution for our high-profile presenters. I'd strongly recommend the AKG WMS 4000 system for any dynamic and
uncontrolled RF environment.
The front panel visual indicators
were a great help in the split-second "go/no go" situations presented
backstage at a major presentation such as this one at NAB. The AKG
computer interface through the networking hub was very useful as an
indicator as to where trouble spots might be, as well as a great way to
see what your system is doing. I used all of these features to ensure
that the system was drop-out-free and running at an optimum level for
the entire event. The AKG 4000 system has earned its place in my
inventory as a high-performance wireless package that's inexpensive to
own and operate, while being reliable to use.
 Link to Story
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Ken Freeman
Technology Sales Manager
(858)348-0630
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