Sennheiser AVX low bitrate problems

[spinkscapes]

I've been looking for a wireless system to pair with my Tascam DR-70D and the Sennheiser AVX MKE2 system looks like a fantastic option.
The transmitter is much smaller than the Sennheiser G3 transmitter and the receiver can be plugged straight into one of the Tascam XLR inputs.

However, initial reports are unfavourable to the quality of the audio.
A poster in other forums, Paul Anderegg, did some recordings with it last week and it produced results that were very unpleasant:

So I'd like to know if, in your opinion, there is something wrong on his settings or, alarmingly, that is the standard quality to be expected from the Sennheiser AVX?
Now, I've seen the videos posted by B&H and the audio is perfectly acceptable in that. However, Paul's video gives me pause.
For videography does it make more sense to invest in the Sennheiser G3 series rather than the new AVX series?

 

[TSDavis]

While I've personally never used the AVX honestly I would expect better quality than the video you posted as well. After watching the product review on B&H I'm not wondering if it was his settings. It almost sounds like he peaked the audio and tried to clean it up in post. I also do not know what he used to record that audio and that too can play a factor.

While I wouldn't rule this device out based on one video (that's like ruling a camera out because one single person posted some nasty footage on YouTube) I would say take a look at the Rode Videolink. Same concept and not only can you you buy two of them for the price of the sennheiser, but they also sound great.

 

[Richard Crowley]

Mr. Anderegg is just learning how to do good audio. He is not there yet.
I doubt very much that video is a proper example of the quality of that wireless kit.
That is not a video that shows how good/bad the equipment operates.
That is one video experiment in a long series of helping him understand mic selection, gain staging, etc.
I agree with @TSDavis that any anomalies in the audio almost certainly arise from improper setup and application.

 

[spinkscapes]

Mr. Anderegg is just learning how to do good audio. He is not there yet.
I doubt very much that video is a proper example of the quality of that wireless kit.
That is not a video that shows how good/bad the equipment operates.
That is one video experiment in a long series of helping him understand mic selection, gain staging, etc.
I agree with @TSDavis that any anomalies in the audio almost certainly arise from improper setup and application.

You may very well be right.
And I am very keen on the setup.
But I'd like to see other videos demonstrating the quality of the Sennheiser before I consider them more fully.

 

[spinkscapes]

While I wouldn't rule this device out based on one video (that's like ruling a camera out because one single person posted some nasty footage on YouTube) I would say take a look at the Rode Videolink. Same concept and not only can you you buy two of them for the price of the sennheiser, but they also sound great.

There is a physical quality disadvantage with the Rode. It is much bigger and built predominantly with plastic.

 

[GaryNattrass]

I would ask what camera is that being shot on as it tends to be the audio limitations of certain cameras such as DSLR or even a cheap recorder that is far worse than any radio mic?

Might be worth looking at this video too: https://youtu.be/C_Gp2ntIfAE

 

[spinkscapes]

I would ask what camera is that being shot on as it tends to be the audio limitations of certain cameras such as DSLR or even a cheap recorder that is far worse than any radio mic?

It is a legitimate question.
I plan to record straight into the Tascam DR-70D.
The pre-amps in that promise to be much cleaner than any camera pre-amp/cheap recorder.

 

[Greg_E]

Does the avx receiver send mic or line level?