2 Wireless Lavalier Systems for Teachers: Choose by Pickup Pattern and Venue Band

2 Wireless Lavalier Systems for Teachers: Choose by Pickup Pattern and Venue Band

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Which wireless lavalier suits your classroom setup and existing PA, mixer, or powered speaker? The CVL lavalier has unidirectional cardioid pickup that rejects sound outside its primary pickup direction, while the ME 2 lavalier is omnidirectional.

ProductLavalier pickup pattern
Shure BLX14/CVL-H9Unidirectional cardioid
Sennheiser XSW 1-ME2-AOmnidirectional
Sources: Shure USA BLX14/CVL-H9 presenter system · Shure CVL cardioid lavalier microphone · Shure BLX H9 frequency compatibility chart · Shure BLX4 receiver · Sennheiser US XSW 1-ME2-A 506980 · Sennheiser XSW receiver audio-output connection

1. Shure BLX14/CVL-H9

Best for Directional lavalier pickup

For teachers connecting a wireless clip-on system to an existing PA, mixer, or powered speaker, the Shure BLX14/CVL-H9 includes a CVL lavalier microphone, BLX1 bodypack transmitter, and BLX4 receiver. The microphone has a unidirectional cardioid pickup pattern that rejects sound from outside its primary pickup direction. The receiver has XLR and 1/4-inch audio outputs.

The H9 frequency band spans 512 to 542 MHz. Confirm that the existing audio system accepts XLR or 1/4-inch input and that a locally usable channel is available in this range. Venue interference, local channel availability, and equipment compatibility require site-specific confirmation.

Shure BLX14/CVL-H9

2. Sennheiser XSW 1-ME2-A

Best for Omnidirectional lavalier pickup

For teachers moving around a classroom and sending speech to existing amplification, the Sennheiser XSW 1-ME2-A is a wireless system with a lavalier microphone, bodypack transmitter, and receiver. The microphone has an omnidirectional pickup pattern. The receiver provides balanced XLR and unbalanced 1/4-inch audio outputs.

The A version operates from 548 to 572 MHz. Confirm that a locally usable channel is available in this range and that the existing PA, mixer, or powered speaker accepts one of the receiver’s output connections. Channel availability, venue interference, and equipment compatibility require site-specific confirmation.

Sennheiser XSW 1-ME2-A

Which should you choose?

  • Choose Shure BLX14/CVL-H9 for directional cardioid pickup that rejects sound outside its primary direction; it has XLR and 1/4-inch outputs. Choose Sennheiser if H9’s 512 to 542 MHz band is unusable and 548 to 572 MHz is locally usable.
  • Choose Sennheiser XSW 1-ME2-A for omnidirectional pickup; it also has XLR and 1/4-inch outputs. Choose Shure if its 512 to 542 MHz band is locally usable and 548 to 572 MHz is not.
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