Sony ECM 44b vs 55b? Or others?

O

ot444

Member
I am looking to get a few wired lavaliers. This is mostly for sit-down interview or news type videos. Some of it will be convention speakers at a booth type work also. We already have a wireless setup and are specifically looking for wired lavs this time. Looking to spend around $200 per mic.

I have been looking at the Sony ECM 44b. It seems to be the old trusty workhorse. We will be using these mics with a Zoom H6 and I like that the 44b has a battery in-line and is a direct XLR connection. I then started looking at the ECM 55b and have not been able to find much information on 44b vs 55b besides $150 difference. Is the 55b that much better to warrant $150 more?

Are there any better mics in a similar price range I didn't see that also feature the battery in-line along with an XLR connection?

Thanks for any help.
 
Here you go:

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/lavs_brockett.html

A massive, definitive test of wired lavs from 2008. It includes the Sony 44b, 55b, and 88b with multiple audio samples.

A lot of us like the Oscar Sound Tech lavs which hit way above their $100 price, but I don't know if they have any self-powered options like the Sonys. There are no prices on the OST website - just email them and you'll get a full price list .pdf, usually the same day.

Good luck.
 
Oscar Sound Tech have Battery Power Supply hardwired with TRS plug for $35, which makes their microphones (or many other lavaliere microphones) 'wired' ones.
 
I actually have both the 44 and the 55. I really like the 55 better, however, it is larger than the 44. The 44 does not require phantom power. Both will give you a decent sound, and the cost is reasonable. Both are very durable. As for the size, hey, people are not dumb. Most will understand that you have a microphone on the people speaking. Good luck!
 
I have two 55's from yesteryear. They're huge but sound nice, and isolate the sound good as well. It's an 'Omni' but was a "proximity design" which has more isolation than a standard omni. They run on a AA batt. or Phantom Pwr. I never cared much for the 44. OTOH, the 77 is nice sounding, and rugged like most ECM Lavs. The 88 allegedly has very low rubbing and cable noise due to the multiple diaphragms.
I recall the first generation 55s ran on a 'N' call battery like the ECM50.
 
Rick, I am glad you mentioned the ECM55 and the battery. It has been so long since I put a battery in mine, I forgot it could be powered that way. My 55 is about 12 years old and still picks up great sound.
 
I have some old 55's too and agree they sound great but are not in-vision friendly these days but the ECM-77B is still a very good mic and has been stock kit for 25 years.
 
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