Lavaliere Shootout: Sanken COS-11D Vs. Sennheiser ME-2

Chadfish

Chadfish

Veteran
Head to head Lav action!

I just picked up the Sanken COS-11D lav mic from DVCreator's DVStore. I tested it against the Sennheiser ME-2 lav that comes with the G2 & G3 wireless packages. I found the COS-11D to be much more sensitive and open sounding.

I put both on simultaneously and used a G2 unit with the ME-2 and a G3 Unit wit the COS-11D. I adjusted the level so that they are at the same level. No processing on the audio.






Link to my Vimeo page with this video:
http://www.vimeo.com/9776528
 
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To embed Vimeo links, just click on the Vimeo option in your post editor, and copy the http address from the Vimeo video page and paste it within the tags.

As for the comparison... thanks for posting it. I think it's helpful for folks to see (er, hear) the difference. I've never been a fan of the Sennheiser stock lavs and often recommend that folks buying Sennheiser G2/G3 systems plan to upgrade the lavs to a Countryman or Sanken.

The Sanken COS-11 mics have been wonderful for years. Great sound, great versatility.
 
C2V said:
To embed Vimeo links, just click on the Vimeo option in your post editor, and copy the http address from the Vimeo video page and paste it within the tags.
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Thanks man. For me when linking that way I get an empty Vimeo box just spinning the Vimeo logo. Can you look and tell me if you see the actual video?
 
That's weird. I use the free level of Vimeo and have not had problems linking in DVXUser. But I've seen this happen before with other Vimeo vids. I don't know what causes it.

EDIT: I just went back and checked one of my older posts with a Vimeo link. Don't use the whole HTML link within the tags... that's what trips it up. Just enter the Vimeo video number (9776528 in your case).
 
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Your getting into shaky ground when you review a lav that's not hard wired but I see your point.
 
ChipG said:
Your getting into shaky ground when you review a lav that's not hard wired but I see your point.
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As popular as the Sennheiser G2/G3 units are around here, this is a pretty important demonstration. That seems to be the target audience here.
 
ChipG said:
Your getting into shaky ground when you review a lav that's not hard wired but I see your point.
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Do you mean I should have tested the mic without using the wireless unit? I don't have the gear for that, and lavs are usually used wirelessly anyway, but yes, it's nice to have a fully clean test of the mic with no possible interference. Maybe after I drop another C note on the XLR adapter. But I have other things on the gear list first, like an AKG Blue Line CK93SE300B Power Module and CK93 Hypercardioid Capsule...
 
I think you should have also done a test with the sanken on the g2 and the senn me2 on the g3 just to even out the variables a little more. G3 does sound better than the G2.

Hardwired would be where I'd start, then move to the wireless units with each lav on a g2 and then on g3.
 
Thanks for the demo. Even with the variables it was interesting to hear the difference. I'd like to hear the Sanken vs the DPA 4060.
 
I use the MKE2s on G2s, because Sennheiser was easier to get here.
For such tiny capsules they deliver a really great sound.
Don´t know weather the Sankens would "win" over the MKE2s, but on basic wireless units like the g2/3s I don´t think the difference would be noticable.
As long as one gets rid of the ME2s and gets sth higher end, it will be worth it...
Having said that, when it gets extremly hot, wet or sweaty and some quality can be sacrificied (because the job doesn´t pay for it) the ME2s make nice action-mics ;)
 
Thanks for sharing your findings Chad. I'm sure many appreciate hearing what the mics sound like. It's obvious that the stock ME2 is flat and dull. The high-end Sennheiser MKE-2 is also wonderful sounding, I have 2, one in XLR and one in 1/8" mini wired for Sennheiser and have been using them for years. Dan Brockett has some tests up http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/lavs_brockett.html

It's worth mentioning that the size of the COS-11D and the cool Vampire clip from Lav Mic Clip are what keep sound professionals coming back to these. Reality TV shows often use them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPvSTNGCNo8

The full, thick sound that you can get with these lavs cuts well with a shotgun mic. The COS-11D has become the industry standard lav. http://www.locationsound.com/cgi-bin/ls/tips/techtips8_4.html You'll also notice a loop pictured in that link, to avoid clothing rustle, create a loop and gaff tape it to the inside of the shirt - this will help cut down cable noise.

We're working on putting together Sanken packages for dvxuser members, I'll see what we can come up with. http://www.dvcreators.net/sanken-cos-11-lavalier/
 
Cool Guy! Thanks for the info. I haven't had much of a chance to test my COD-11D other than for that shootout vid. I can't wait to get it on a real talking head in a work environment. Looks like I'll have to get some gaffer's tape and start looping my wires...

I've seen that vampire clip youtube vid. That's how I found out about it. It's handy.
 
I'm pretty sure ive mentioned this in the past but
in my opinion ANY lav sounds like poo compared to an overhead boom so
the main reason for choosing a particular lav mic is
which one is going to be the easiest to mount/hide without clothing noise
or muddiness in the sound.

Of course if the situation is more of a talk show "exposed" type situation
you can worry a bit more about the sound quality differences.
 
Interesting quote from an article here, Will Smith is mic'd with the COS-11 for "Men in Black"
http://www.sekd.com/news/050406_Sanken_Kurland.asp

Kurland owns eight Sanken lavaliers and has used them extensively since he first tested them out on "Men In Black," starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. "We were looking for a lavalier that would work well with their black suits and ties. Essentially, the microphone became part of their uniform. We had the COS-11 concealed in their ties every day - they're black and the texture of the windscreen was very close to that of the tie. The wardrobe people were very pleased, but more than that, the sonic performance was outstanding. The sound is excellent, and it also matches well with boom mics so that cutting from one to the other works really well."
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Here's a pic from the Sound for Film and Television DVD. If you haven't scene it, it's good.

Image4.jpg
 
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