Best Sounding Lavalier

Well, there are several really nice lavs out there. "Best" sounding? Considering that a few of them really are on the same level of performance, but engineered for different purposes, there's no way to pin down one that's the creme of the crop.

Plus, the truth about mics and the human voice is that combinations vary in order to get the best sound for an individual. Much like in a recording studio: there are voices that will sound great on an $8000 Neumann, and others that sound their best on a $99 Shure SM58. You just have to play around until you find the one that works for that person.

Plus, some lavs are great but not as easy to bury in wardrobe and may not sound their best under fabric. Others are tailored just for that.

This is why audio professionals keep kits of lavs with several at their disposal. As a starting place, I'd look at the Sanken COS11, the Countryman B6, Tram TR50, DPA, and even the RØDE Pin Mic. Of course, all things being equal, nothing here is really equal: different lavs for different purposes.
 
Alex H. said:
Well, there are several really nice lavs out there. "Best" sounding? Considering that a few of them really are on the same level of performance, but engineered for different purposes, there's no way to pin down one that's the creme of the crop.

Plus, the truth about mics and the human voice is that combinations vary in order to get the best sound for an individual. Much like in a recording studio: there are voices that will sound great on an $8000 Neumann, and others that sound their best on a $99 Shure SM58. You just have to play around until you find the one that works for that person.

Plus, some lavs are great but not as easy to bury in wardrobe and may not sound their best under fabric. Others are tailored just for that.

This is why audio professionals keep kits of lavs with several at their disposal. As a starting place, I'd look at the Sanken COS11, the Countryman B6, Tram TR50, DPA, and even the RØDE Pin Mic. Of course, all things being equal, nothing here is really equal: different lavs for different purposes.
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I'm thinking of going with the Sanken. Everyone says its great. I just wanted to check last minute to make sure it was the best option. Thanks.
 
My goto lav is the Tram TR50, which has good sound and can be positioned to pick up very little of the ambient audio. ( turn the mic pick-up towards the vampire clip ) Though it's not a great mic for higher pitched female voices.

I also own a Sanken COS11x, which is the best sounding lav I own, but it picks up everything in the room, so I only use it in quiet environments.

The lav that I really want to try sometime is the Sonotrim Lav, which is supposed to be an improvement over the Tram TR50, in that it works well with higher pitched voices and lower pitched voices.
 
No such thing as "the best".

For example... Sometimes my go to mic is a low cost water resistant Countryman B-3.

In all honesty it depends on the circumstances, location, talent.
 
I've been really impressed with the quality , Price and service of MicroPhone Madness Lavs. He makes Countryman clones and they are really good. Just tell him what you are recording and to what device and he sets it up perfectly. I own two. One over the ears boom for presentations and lectures via my Sennheiser Evolution EW100 G2 and a lapel mic for hidden recording on my Olympus LS11. On both cases, Mike checked the recorder/system specs and wired them up. Awesome warranty and service too.
Are they the BEST? I don't know, I've never felt a need to look further. Several longtime pros on The Cow swear by them.
 
Most professional sound guys will say the Sanken is the best sounding... like 90% or more.

Lavs can be a PITA though... depending on wardrobe... etc. I've had great results with a COS11 in one location... and problems in another. If you get a COS11... get the Rycote over-cover kit... or some other furry, because in my experience, you're going to need it, but with a Tram, you can often hide it inside of clothing (if the fabric isn't too thick)... and get the same result fairly easily.

So... while I have both options, I tend to use the Trams more because there are so many mounting options... because good location sound is often about what you DON'T hear... rather then going for ultimate sound quality. I use a Sanken CS3e as my main shotgun for the same reason. I prefer the sound of my AKG ULS system over the Sanken, but the CS3e absolutely KILLS almost any other mic for it's ability to ignore the things you don't want to hear.

So... best sounding lav? Sanken... best results? Varies... I like Trams.

(realistically... the DPA is probably the absolute best sounding lav... but I don't think very many of are used for film production... it's probably more of a music thing... and not as versatile as other lavs)
 
I second what Mattin wrote above. If it comes down to pure sound quality, then many professionals seem to prefer the DPA lavs, but they are not as practical and flexible as some others. After that comes Sanken and Tram who have good quality, mounting options etc. The Countryman B6 is a small step down in quality but a real problem solver because of it's size and resistance to water, but it's a bit frail.
 
Here's a shootout I did between the Senheider ME-2, Tram TR-50, Rode Lav and Sanken COS11D. It might give you an idea of the sonic differences between these mics.
 
Chadfish said:
Here's a shootout I did between the Senheider ME-2, Tram TR-50, Rode Lav and Sanken COS11D. It might give you an idea of the sonic differences between these mics.
Click to expand...

Excellent shootout. I liked the Rode Lav the best. It sounded the most 'natural' imho
 
As a non sound guy and when doing 1 man band shoots, the Sony ECM 88 has served me very well.
 
"Isn't the head rather large?"
- Compared to Countryman B6 maybe. Much smaller than the once popular ECM-55 though.
(3.5 x 16.8mm) Only slightly larger than the Sanken COS11.
 
Here's a new lav I got from Que Audio. It's really small, and has a nice open sound. But you need good clean gain for it, as it's sensitivity level is -45db. It's good for loud talkers.
 
I had an opportunity to use my MicroPhone Madness Lav( countryman E6) in the LS11 recorder today in 'deep cover' mode. Set the recorder to auto levels (not a preferred method) . Worked like a dream! I ought to take some time and do my own side by sides some day.It definitely pays to have a customized capsule made, especially at some of the prices I've been paying.
seems E6 clones are everywhere now ;) Ty Ford loves it too
 
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my go to is cos11's, but it also depends on wardrobe. almost every shoot i do is concealed lav so that plays a huge part in my mic selection. but in my kit i've got cos11, b6, tram, microphone madness and oscar soundtech. the cos11's and b6's are the most used.
 
Money no object hands down DPA 406x series, though, they aren't that far off compared to Sanken COS11 in terms of price. Their head capsule size is very similar to a B3, but Sanken COS11 wins in terms of hiding versatility and price/performance. B6 wins in hiding. Trams and any front-faced design is easily concealable underneath clothing. Sound quality-wise, it's the DPA both in the film world and stage performances.
 
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