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List Price: $44.99
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- Element: Back Electret Condenser - Max.Input SPL: 130dB - Connector: 4 Pin Mini XLR
- Polar Pattern: Omni-directional - Power Supply: DC 1.5V-10V - Color: Skin
- Frequency Response: 20Hz- 20KHz - Cable: Φ1.5*1.2M - Accessories: Windscreen
- Sensitivity: -45dB± 3dB - Weight: 15g
- Output Impedance: 1kΩ± 30% - Dimension: 5mm
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I work in a performing arts center where we use 24 wireless microphone systems primarily for theatrical productions by high school, middle school and community theatre groups. I expect to mic actors for 38 rehearsals and 54 performances this year. Although we have $300 microphones for " talking heads" applications, there's no way I'm risking a $300 AT or Countryman earset mic on a student. Quite a few mics fail with various kinds of damage over the course of a year, so I am always on the lookout for an unobtrusive and inexpensive mic. I'm hoping I've found one in the Pyle-Pro PMHMS20 Wired Headset Boom Mini XLR Omni-Directional Microphone.
I initially purchased two of the Pyle PMHMS20 headset models and have since purchased another along with the Pyle-Pro PMEMS10 In Ear Mini XLR Omni-Directional Microphone (For Shure System) "earset" style mic. These "mini XLR" models are terminated with a TA4F connector required by Shure wireless belt pack transmitters. They also fit the Line 6 XD-V70L wireless belt packs.
So far, I've only used the first two headsets in a community theatre production of three rehearsals and four performances. They performed better than expected and sound quality was excellent. They sound better than the MM Audio MM-PSM earset and at least as good, if not better, than a well-placed Shure WL-93. They are not a sonic match for the Audio Technica Microset Omni Condenser Headworn Microphone in Beige or Countryman E6, but they currently cost roughly 1/15th of the AT price listed on Amazon. I didn't measure the cable length, but it is adequate to reach just beyond waist level for typical adults. It will take some time to determine long-term durability, so I'll update this review after I've had time for evaluation.
These headsets offer some size adjustment, but I don't believe they can be adequately adjusted for children. Even when adjusted to the smallest size, they were still a bit loose on a petite actress and had to be secured with a small strip of medical tape. The boom is very long, so a fair amount of bending may be required for smaller faces. Even with the mic element right at the corner of the mouth, I did not pick up pops or breath sounds. They do come with two foam wind screens, if needed.
The most recent PMHMS20 headset I ordered arrived last week. When I opened the Amazon box, I immediately noticed I received the PMHM2 model with a 3.5mm plug, rather than the TA4F "mini XLR". I checked the packing slip to see that I had in fact ordered the "mini' XLR" version. I then checked the headset packaging, which was incorrectly labeled as the PMHMS20, but contained the PMHM2 version with a 3.5mm connector. I don't consider Amazon to be at fault, since the problem obviously originated with the manufacturer. I don't expect to have any trouble with Amazon exchanging this for the correct model.
One other note; the product package (not Amazon) states that the mic is available in both beige and black. Unable to find a black model on Amazon or anywhere else, I called Pyle Pro. They confirmed that the package was mislabeled and no black model is available.
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June 2012 Update I've just ordered seven more of these mics when I found the price had dropped closer to what I originally paid.
I continue to be pleased with the sound quality and have been surprised at how well they've held up. So far, I've used them 30-40 times on seven theatrical productions and a half-dozen "talking heads" programs. Most of the plays were musicals, including a dance-heavy production of "Hairspray". I broke the wiring inside one of the earset versions attempting to re-sculpt it for a better fit, but I've only had two minor problems with the headset version reviewed here, and those don't affect function. The clear plastic sheath covering the metal earpiece got stretched out on one mic and the end cap covering the tip of the earpiece was lost from another; again, nothing that harms function. I've had no problems with cables breaking or connector issues (on this headset version).
Continued use has proven that these work best on large heads. No amount of adjustment will provide a stable fit on a petite actress or child.
I've only had one instance where I had to use a foam windscreen to tame pops.
I still wish these were also available in black and/or brown for African-American skin tones.
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March 2013 Update I now have 24 of these and am in the middle of another season of high school & community theatre musicals. Since my last update, these have been used in about 72 rehearsals or performances and I'll have another 25 rehearsals/performances between now & the end of April. To date, I've had three Pyle-Pro PMHMS20 Wired Headset Boom Mini XLR Omni-Directional Microphone "break" & all three have the same cable issue. The cable has a clip that attaches it to the back of the headband very near where the cable enters the headband structure. The band slides to lengthen or shorten the boom and fit head size. The problem occurs because the cable clip does not slide on its own during adjustment & that leads to pinching and excessive stress on the cable between the clip and entrance to the headband (I'll post a photo). The result is an audible "thump" as the internal wiring makes or breaks contact, along with momentary loss of audio. It usually happens as the actor turns his head or the mic cable gets a tug. It is not something I would consider end-user repairable. It can be avoided by always taking care to adjust the clip as you adjust the headband, but that often doesn't happen during the chaos preceding a production, especially if you have a large cast and even more especially if they are responsible to placing and adjusting the mic themselves.
Given the use and abuse they endure versus the cost, I absolutely consider this problem and the number of mics I've lost due to it, perfectly within acceptable limits. Most of these productions involve the mic being on someone's head for four to five hours from beginning to end, so I'm talking about several hundred hours of total use for some of these mics, just in the last year. If you are buying a couple for the pastor to use a couple of hours a week and you take care to adjust the cable clip, you should get plenty of use before replacement is necessary.
Pyle offers a one-year warranty that covers the usual "manufacturers defects". I've not looked into it, but plan to see if this problem might be covered. I''ll post the outcome when I get an answer.
I am still very happy with the audio quality for speech and singing. I do minor EQ on them, but I generally EQ most other mics I use too; probably more a factor of room acoustics or speakers than the microphones.
I will comment on pricing. The price of this mic varies as much as the stock market. I've watched it range from just over $11 to nearly $29 in the last year. Compared to similar mics, it is a great value at even the high price range. If you think it's too much, check back often, because it will fluctuate. All my stock was purchased when prices ranged between $14 & $19 (and with free Prime two-day shipping), so I'm thrilled to get this type product for this price.
I'll be back with another update at the end of April.
Buy Pyle-Pro PMHMS20 Wired Headset Boom Mini XLR Omni-Directional Microphone Now
I didn't want to spend $170 (or more) for the "better" head-worn microphones, but I figured I could spend $14.99 (sale price) to see if the mic was any good. Although the photo shows two different mics, this is the one that goes over both ears and the cord plugs into your belt pack transmitter. We've had this mic for about six months. Our church pastor uses it and the sound is just as good as our Shure lavalier mic was. Also, the volume is more consistent, since the mic pick-up moves as the pastor moves his head. On the lavalier mic, as the pastor moved his head, he was changing the angle towards the mic, so the volume kept changing. We LIKE this mic! They work great and we can buy SEVEN of these mics for the price of just one of the more expensive ones! Some of our other local churches tried our mic; they liked using it so much that they bought this mic, too! I don't know how good it is for singing or for a band but, for church (and speaking), it's perfect!
Update: 2012-12-21
Our first one of these mics just died after one of our pastors bent the wire too far. However, this mic worked perfectly for over one full year. Pretty good stamina for weekly use and only costing $15! Our pastors preach at six other churches so, when I ordered TWO of these headset mics for our church (one replacement & one spare), they had me order TWO more mics for one of the other churches that has the same Shure system that we do. By the way, one of our pastors has nicknamed this our 'Madonna' mic (after the singer, Madonna). Even after our first mic died, I STILL highly recommend these headset mics. How can you beat a year's-worth of service, with NO problems, for only $15!
Read Best Reviews of Pyle-Pro PMHMS20 Wired Headset Boom Mini XLR Omni-Directional Microphone Here
Product has worked on the 2 occasions it has been used so far and I find it light as a feather with great sound performance.
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If you are looking for a quality headset for a wireless microphone that will not break the bank this is the one. The sound is excellent. And because the price is low, we are using them for play productions with children and teenagers.
I purchased this thinking well if it doesn't work well I haven't put out much money. The church had just bought me one from another place and spent 200 on it, so I spent my own money on this one. This is the only one I use at all! The more expensive one sits on a shelf in my office and this one gets used weekly. I just purchased another one for a friend of mine. These are great products and I haven't found a better price.
