Sennheiser AVX vs Rodelink Wireless

W

wbrock001@hotmail.com

Member
Hi, I found the thread talking about this on other groups but the avx wasn't really out in the wild yet. So now that they are shipping, does anyone have any experience with both the rode and sennheiser versions? From my research it seems:

Rodelink: 25+ hour battery life on both transmitter/receiver, large form factor, plastic, come with better than me2 lapel mic, 100 meter range, non-proprietary batteries (AA's), 44.1 khz 24-bit, 2.4Ghz, 8 bands, seems to drop some bass in the transmission, less than half the price of avx ($400).

AVX: 4-hour receiver battery, 15-hour transmitter, 48khz 24-bit, no bands - just sync and go, auto-levels, much smaller form factor, hand-held mic option, metal construction, proprietary batteries (haven't seen additional receiver batteries available for sale yet) - seems a bit awkward to have to power the receiver with USB to extend battery life, 30 meter range, 1.9Ghz (less occupied).

So anyone have any opinions? As always I suppose specific needs come into play, form factor requirements, run time requirements, durability, audio quality. But the question is are the AVX's superior in audio quality? I haven't found any really good tests yet, much more is available on the rodelink.

I'm looking to upgrade from my 2-G3 kits because here in Dallas, even after doing empty frequency scans, I still get a number of close range dropouts...pops, clicks etc with them. So I'm hoping a digital solution would be less prone to such issues because for professional interviews where wired booming isn't feasible, I'd like a more rock solid wireless option.

Thanks!

Bill
 
Pretty good summary. Makes the choice difficult, doesn't it? What's your basis for the "seems to drop some bass in the transmission" comment about the Rode? I have not done rigorous tests, but haven't noticed that with my system. My experience with battery life is actually about 8 hours with NiMH rechargeables in the Rode transmitter. I think their rating is based on single-use lithium batteries (expensive). I have no experience with the AVX (still stuck on G2s for the moment), so hopefully someone will chime in who has used both.

- Greg
 
One of the video tests I listened to comparing the Rode lapel mic when wired, then they plugged into the rodelink and you could hear some of the bass was rolled off. Yes, you're right about the lithium batteries, the test I saw just didn't specify they were using lithium batteries for the 30+ hour run time. Thank you Greg, so far it looks like no major flaws with the Rodelink, so I think Sennheiser may be more of a niche item for those that specifically need the avx form factor.
 
The only thing that still bugs me about the Rode is the size of the transmitter. I'd say it's about twice the volume of my G2's. It's probably not going to be an issue 90% of the time, but I'm sure I'll eventually run into a situation where it will get in the way. I'm also hoping they'll see fit to develop a companion plug-on transmitter so I can use it with a handheld mic, but that doesn't diminish the value of the current system. I've already decided this will be my default choice when a single lav will do the job. (I may buy a second set as well.) The sound quality (noise level, mostly) is better than my Sennheiser G2's, and the connections have been flawless in my use so far (in terms of range/interference/dropouts). I'll try to duplicate the wired/wireless test you mentioned and see if the bass rolloff is a concern.

- Greg
 
Yes, I have a two person interview setup coming, so figured I'd buy two as well. What's amazing is that I can buy two with lavs for less than one AVX...jeesh, since no one has really found a flaw other than perhaps the size of the units... I think Sennheiser is going to have to adjust their pricing.
 
puredrifting said:
You guys don't use wireless for sit down interviews, do you? Is it a walk and talk Bill?
Click to expand...

In my case, a teacher moving about a classroom is the most common scenario for me (comes with my job description), sometimes very active as for dance, theatre and sports. Walking tours of buildings, neighborhoods and outdoor spaces also seem to come up frequently (I've done several docs on the general topic of housing). Stand-up spot news type interviews on occasion.

I would pretty much always use a wire, and usually a mixer, on a sit-down interview, or actually, in any of the situations I mentioned when it is practical without interfering too much. Wireless is for when the mic cable would change the nature of the action I'm trying to cover -- but very useful sometimes.

- Greg
 
I own an AVX and I'm contemplating buying a Rodelink Filmmaker kit, simply because it's cheaper. Can anyone think of any implications running both an AVX and a Rode wireless into my two camera XLR ports? Or should I just get another AVX? (By the way I find the AVX very good and far superior in terms of build quality compared to the Rode, and I've seen both!)
 
I just pre-ordered the Newsshooter kit from BH. I like the smaller size of the dongle and that you can still plug a lav into it and stick it in a pocket. It's supposed to ship by the end of the month.
 
following up on older thread-

I'm looking for real world user opinions on the Rode Rodelink wireless system.

Since I'm located in metro NYC, frequency issues with Senn G3s are often the rule.

I'm wondering if Rode's 2.4 digital waveband is an effective solution.

I would use the RodeLink for exterior walk & talks and interior sit-down interviews when wiring would not be an oprtion.

Any and all info would be appreciated.

Be well.

Rob
smalltalk/productions
 
Since I started this thread, I have purchased and used the Rode wireless for a while now. Generally the audio is very clear and I just started using it with DPA lavs and headset mics and wow, what a difference. Anyway, the Rode has fine range and when it has problems its usually just cuts out, no popping like the Senn G3 does. Now it does sometimes get high frequency interference that I've heard in certain situations, and that is using the Rode Lav and the DPA headset, its very easy to remove with noise removal, but it is there sometimes even at short distances. I've tried switching channels and it still happened. So to investigate it further I want to see if cell phones or WIFI in close proximity are whats causing it. Overall, you cannot touch the quality at that price, so its definitely the best bang for the buck and I'll probably be picking up a Newsshooter soon. I bought a Zaxcom Maxx mixer/recorder so want to get a Zax wireless at some point, but that's about $3500 per set, so you can have 8 rode wireless kits for one Zaxcom set. By the way I'm in Dallas and it works great, barring the occasional issue mentioned above.
 
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