Review: Audio-Technica System 10 Digital Wireless Microphone System
I have seen many wireless microphones passed through my hands—the cheap and expensive, the branded and unknown brands etc. Some are good, some are bad, and over the years, I have developed are set of requirements in selecting the best wireless microphones for different churches. Today, I will review Audio-Technica System 10 Wireless Microphone system, and it will be judged on these criteria – reliability, sonic quality, manufacturer support, ease of use, and cost.
The Audio-Technica System 10 is a great value wireless system for small venue churches with the handheld or belt pack transmitter distance is about 100 feet away from the receiver. The manufacturer states that you can run up to 8 channels or units simultaneously, but as a precaution, I recommend running a maximum of 4 channels at a single time.
Instead of UHF, System 10 is a digital 24bit/48Khz wireless system that utilizes a 2.4Ghz frequency spectrum to transmit its signal. That also means that you don’t have to fight with other broadcast stations regarding frequency spectrum allocation.
Ease of use
It’s straightforward to use the system. There is practically nothing to set up. All you need to do is place fresh batteries in it, turn it on, and it will automatically pair the receivers. The LED number indicator is there just for you to set it as an indicator to which receivers it is paired to, and it’s not a channel selector.
The receiver unit is made with plastic, and there are conveniently placed indents for you to stack multiple units on top of each other if you are planning to use more than one channel.
Sonic Quality
Being a digital system, Audio-Technica can transmit uncompressed and uncompanded sound. In my test, the sound from this wireless unit is so good that I had a hard time discerning between the wireless and a wired unit. I liked the smooth highs of the Audio-Technica sound – and I am pleased to report that this wireless mic does have that without all the wireless artefacts that we all used to deal with analogue systems.
Reliability
I was somewhat sceptical with Audio-Technica choice to run with a 2.4Ghz frequency spectrum for System 10 products. My disappointing experience with Line 6 digital wireless products cast doubt on how reliable this System 10 will be.
I installed two Systems 10 handheld systems at a small church with a 50 feet distance between the receivers and handheld transmitters. I was already expecting complaints about dropouts, but the system was rock solid throughout the few weeks of testing, to my humble surprise.
Further reading reveals that Audio-Technica builds two receiving and transmitting antennas on the receivers, handheld and belt-pack transmitters. So no matter how you hold the mic, there will always be one antenna being exposed freely to transmit the signal back to the receiver, ensuring there are no RF dropouts with the system. The two System 10 units now have become the primary wireless microphone in the church.
Another point of concern is signal latency. The thing to understand is – while the wireless runs on 2.4Ghz, it is not running on WIFI protocol. There is latency, but it’s not perceivable in my hearing. The only time I had dropouts with this system is when one of the church volunteers places a WIFI router next to the System 10 receivers. A quick reposition of the WIFI router fixes the trouble.
Cost
Priced at less than RM2,000 – this Audio-Technica Wireless 10 is a no brainer for small venue churches. For the price – you get a fantastic sonic quality with a rock-solid wireless system that will please everyone in the congregation.
Conclusion
I liked this wireless handheld mic. With fantastic support from Audio-Technica, this will be my no.1 recommendation for churches or small venue places that needed high-quality wireless mic at a low price.
If you like what you read and would like to give it a go with this Audio-Technica System 10 Wireless microphone, go to our Shopee store and enjoy a 10% discount with the voucher BRON10 applied upon the checkout. (promo valid until 30th Sept 2021)
Helpful Links
1. Find out more of our recent project involving Audio-Technica System 10 Wireless Mic.
2. Our Shopee store link. Apply voucher BRON10 to enjoy special 10% discount. (promo valid until 30th Sept 2021)
3. More information about Audio-Technica System 10 Wireless Microphone.