Best Dual Wireless Microphone System For The Price: BLX288/PG58 Review

Before we dive into the Shure BLX288/PG58 dual wireless microphone system and why we believe it’s an unbeatable deal for the price, a brief history of Shure products.

The 93-year-old company has a long history of innovation. Shure’s goal since starting in 1925 was to always look at the market to keep their innovation fresh.

Consistency is important to Shure, as is keeping up to date with what musicians need and want.

BLX288/PG58 Overview

Designed specifically for small to mid-sized venues, the  BLX288/PG58 makes an all-around incredible handheld wireless mic system for DJs, wedding/event bands, and houses of worship. 

You get 2 high quality PG58 wireless microphones with a durable BLX88 receiver. It’s an easy setup, has a powerful signal strength that won’t let you down, and produces exceptional vocal tonality and clarity. It also automatically locates the clearest open channel. It’s an unbeatable investment at $549 on Amazon.

As a member of a corporate band that uses the Shure BLX288/PG58 for the past 3 years, I’ve witnessed the system used in nearly every type of setting across the Southeast. The wireless mic system’s never failed us once whether it was an outdoor concert in freezing temperatures, the top of a high rise building, small, medium, and larger venues.  

From the most rural of areas to the most densely-populated cities, the wireless systems never cutout or picked up any unwanted noise. And Though Shure recommends the BLX288/PG58 for small to mid-sized venues, we’ve played large venues with no problems.

Features

• Comes with 2 wireless microphones
• 2 channels for each microphone 
• Automatically finds the clearest open frequency with 1-touch QuickScan
• Range of 300 feet radius 
• Up to 12 compatible systems per frequency band 
• Internal Antenna Diversity
• Can either get it as J10, H10, H9, or H8 Frequency Band
• Single-channel, dual-channel, and rack mount receiver options available
• 24 MHz tuning range

Reliability and Dependability 

Anyone familiar with Shure, knows their wireless products are some of the most reliable and dependable systems on the market. The QuickScan feature automatically locates the clearest open channel to ensure little to no signal interference, and the receiver has a built-in microprocessor-controlled internal antenna. The diversity antennas built into the receiver significantly decrease hassle and chance of antenna damage.

Using other comparably-priced wireless mic systems in the past, I’ve had pretty bad noise and interference problems.

In the 3 years and hundreds of events I’ve used BLX288/PG58, I’ve never had a single problem with unwanted noise or cutouts. With zero dropouts or unwanted noise, this mic system is highly dependable.

Some Of The Venues That We Played with the BLX288/PG58

How To Set Up The Shure BLX288/PG58

One of the benefits of the BLX288/PG58 is a quick and intuitive setup. Shure’s state-of-the-art 1-touch QuickScan technology locates the clearest open channel automatically with the touch of a button.

It never takes more than 2 minutes to set up the entire system, allowing you more time to focus on other variables before the show.

Each mic takes 2 AA batteries, with a battery life of 14 hours and the receiver’s powered by an included power supply.

PG58 Microphone

This system has an incredible deal where you get 2 PG58 microphones with 1 purchase. You can use the extra mic for a backup singer, extra MC for DJ’s, or keep one of the microphones as a spare making this16 system an incredible long-term investment.

The PG58 is a dynamic microphone that is incredible at rejecting background noise. With a frequency range of 60HZ-15kHz and 100dB dynamic range, the cardioid microphone has excellent sound quality. It does not require phantom power. 

PG58 Microphone Sound Quality

Countless reviews from singers, DJs, and houses of worship claim the PG58 produces the highest-quality vocal performance for the price. The highs and lows of the PG58 standout giving it a very rich warm vocal sound. For singers looking warm, smooth vocal tone, the PG58 is an excellent choice. Below is a video of the microphone being used during a recent live performance.

The BLX288/PG58 live at a wedding

BLX88 Receiver

With rugged construction, the BLX88 has the durability to withstand vigorous touring conditions. The receiver is considered a tabletop, but sold separately is the Shure URT2 Rack Tray which gives you the option to rackmount the receiver. It will be best to rackmount the receiver for convenience and maintaining its longevity considering it’s far more protected in a rackmount. On the back of the receiver is an XLR and ¼” output connector along with a charging port.

What Is The BLX288/PG58 Best For?

• Corporate/event bands
• DJ’s
• Live Vocals
• Karaoke 
• Speeches 
• Those in need of 2 reliable wireless microphones at a low price
• Singers who prefer a crisp warm tone
• PG58 microphone is good for needing to pick up a single voice in crowded areas (interviews, talk shows)

Using The BLX288/PG58 For Speakers & Talks

Most events will require you to provide sound support for any speeches and toasts. Of the 90+ events I have played with Uptown Down Entertainment in the past 3 years, the BLX288/PG58 has always provided exceptional and reliable quality for all speakers.

With a 300ft radius of range, speakers can walk around the venue without any sound dropouts. Some of these details may sound minor, but they speak volumes to the client and 3rd parties of each event. In turn, creating more future gigs/weddings/events.

Durability 

The second you hold the PG58 mic in your hand, you will clearly tell how durable the build quality of the microphone is. The PG58 microphone even survived “The Hammer Test” where the microphone was banged about 15-20 times on a solid surface to test its strength and durability. 

I’ve also personally never had any issues with the system breaking or signs that it will slow down any-time soon.

Tech Specs

Which Shure Transmitters Are Compatible With The BLX88 Receiver?

Versatility is one of Shure’s greatest strengths. The receiver is compatible with many different Shure transmitters as long as it’s of the same frequency Band.

There are 4 different frequency bands for the BLX88 receiver;

• H8: 518-542 MHz
• H9: 512-542 MHz
• H10: 542-572 MHz
• J10: 584-608 MHz

You’re able to use any transmitter that matches the same frequency band as your receiver. You also have the option to choose the frequency band during purchase.

Why Use Wireless Over A Wired Microphone?

There are many benefits of using a wireless microphone over a wired one. First of all, aesthetic. For bands and DJ’s that play weddings, wireless is an absolute must. It’s abnormally tacky to pass off a wired microphone to the newlyweds’ family member for his or her speech. DJ’s and MC’s that perform high-energy shows outside weddings need the wireless freedom to move around and hype the crowd. 

Being attached to an electric leash will significantly hurt your performance and put a damper on delivering your best live show. Going wireless allows you to reach your maximum stage presence potential instead of worrying about tripping on, stepping on, or pulling out your mic cable, using a wireless allows you the freedom to reach your maximum potential. 

Wireless microphones also decrease the cable spaghetti on the stage floor. A stage filled with cables all over the floor looks tacky and unprofessional. A clean stage boosts the overall visual performance of the show and makes for a safer performance area.

To Sum It Up | Dual Wireless Microphone System

Thanks to its affordable price but rich features, the BLX288/PG58 is overall the very best wireless microphone system.

Its reliability, signal strength, durability, easy setup, versatility, and multi-channel, dual-mic setup gives this system an unbeatable bang for the buck. View the details and price of the BLX288/PG58 on amazon here.

After 3 years of using this system for professional events, I can attest that the BLX288/PG58 will give you an incredible return on investment with its dependable professionalism, longevity, and dual mics and channels.

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