Before we dive into the wireless Shure PGXD 14 wireless guitar system and why we believe it’s the most reliable wireless for the lowest price, a brief history of Shure products.
Shure’s goal since the start in 1925 was to always look at the market to keep their innovation fresh. Many of the employees at Shure are either musicians or sound engineers. They pride themselves on working with the customer considering many of them are the customer.
When a product is finally released by Shure, it has had hundreds to thousands of hours of real use in the field by musicians or audio engineers to make sure it’s precisely what musicians need.
The Shure PGXD 14 is the most reliable wireless guitar system with incredible signal strength and little to no interference or dropouts for the cheapest price.
What makes a Wireless Guitar System Good? (Top 5)
- Reliability -Signal strength, little to no dropouts
- Durability– Able to last long/withstand touring conditions
- Tone– Does it negatively affect guitar or bass tone compared to a quality cable
- Convenience– Battery life, setup simplicity, easier instrument change, pedalboard attachable
- Range– Able to have a strong signal to cover a big stage, or perform in the crowd
We broke down each of these factors for the Shure PGXD 14 Digital Wireless System
Before We Get Started:
Details and Tech Specs Of The Shure PGXD 14
- 24-bit/48kHz Digital Audio
- Dual antennas for true diversity reception
- Auto-sync between the transmitter and receiver with One-touch scanning
- Automatic frequency selection locates the clearest open channel
- Gain adjustment range: 10dB
- 9-hour battery life with 2 AA
- Receiver Type: Table Top
- 5 compatible channels per frequency band
- 1/4″ and XLR audio outputs
- Frequency Band: 900 MHz
- Range: 200 feet
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Dynamic Range: 108dB
Reliability and Signal Strength
The Shure PGXD 14 is used by the guitar player in one of my bands, the John Pagano Band. We have toured 35 states from coast to coast seasonally for five years. We have played the more significant majority of the United States up to Canada. The guitarist John Pagano who uses the PGXD 14 has never failed him once. It has never cut out, broke, or had signal interference in the years of touring the US and Canada.
Quite possibly, the most crucial factor of the top 5 things that make a wireless system good is the unit’s reliability and signal strength. You can be on stage, playing your life out with many potential fans. Suddenly, right when you’re at the climax of the song, your wireless guitar/bass system cuts out due to signal interference. You know it is not the range considering you’re 5-10 feet from your receiver. The buzz of the show is instantly killed, and the potential fans in the audience have less possibility of returning to another show.
Video example: When one of my old wireless systems (Line 6) cut out due to signal interference while my guitarist using the Shure PGXD 14 has no interference. (I’m bassist on right)
The Reason Why The Shure PGXD 14 Has Incredible Signal Strength And Reliability.
For those who just got really nervous from the previous video about purchasing a wireless guitar system, have no fear with the Shure PGXD 14. Below is a list of the technical reasons for what makes this system so reliable where you will never have to worry about a single dropout. Keep in mind; we know the PGXD 14 doesn’t cut out from years of personal experience as well.
- The Shure PGXD 14 is one of the few wireless systems that operate in the 900 MHZ frequency band which is less congested than other frequency bands. (In other words, less chance for signal interference)
- Uses True Digital Diversity, meaning both antennas work independently to scan for the best open channel. If one antenna starts to get signal interference, the other antenna acts as a safety net.
- Automatic frequency selection is a feature that finds the clearest open channel with a push of the button on the receiver.
Tone: Shure PGXD 14 V.S Instrument Cable
The Shure PGXD 14 uses 24-bit/48kHz uncompressed digital transmission for the most accurate representation of your instrument. With a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz, you will be able to get incredible frequency clarity of your instrument. However, technical details of a wireless mean nothing until you actually play it. In the video below, we tested the Shure PGXD 14 up against a high-quality instrument cable plugged directly into the amp to see if there is a tone difference.
Shure PGXD 14 V.S Instrument Cable: Tone Test Video
Conclusion on tone difference between the high-quality instrument cable v.s Shure PGXD 14: In my opinion, there is an extremely minimal difference in tone.
The PGXD 14 wireless sounded slightly cleaner where the instrument cable was a bit dirtier. The difference is very subtle, where I had to watch the video a few times as I didn’t notice the difference in person. If you prefer a dirtier tone, the difference is so small a single pedal will do the trick.
Convenience: Shure PGXD 14
The Shure PGXD 14 may have incredible signal strength, reliability with no cut-outs, and instrument tone but it does come with its downsides considering the low price. The system’s receiver is a tabletop that is typically placed on or near your amp before performing.
Rackmount receivers that remain in your rackmount or pedal receivers that stay in your pedalboard are the more convenient wireless guitar systems considering there is no extra setup step before every show. With the Shure PGXD 14, you must place it on your amp and plug it in the power supply which adds a setup step before every show.
Like most wireless guitar systems, the PGXD 14’s transmitter takes 2 AA batteries for 9 hours of playtime. This as well makes the system a bit less convenient considering the consistent purchases and changing of batteries. The vast majority of high-quality wireless systems take disposable batteries. A select few use rechargeable batteries.
If you don’t mind spending an extra $100 for a more convenient wireless system that takes rechargeable batteries while maintaining incredible reliability and tone, see Our Top Wireless Guitar System Pick For 2019.
Lastly, for those who don’t mind the extra setup step and changing batteries, the Shure PGXD 14 is the most reliable wireless guitar system for the lowest price.
How To Set Up The Shure PGXD 14
- Place the receiver on top or near your amp.
2. Power the receiver and plug an instrument cable from the amp to receiver.
3. Make sure the transmitter has 2 AA batteries inside, then turn it on.
4. Sync the transmitter to the receiver by keeping the transmitter case open toward the receiver, then press the circular button on the right of the receiver.
Shure PGXD Range
The Shure PGXD 14 has an incredible range of 200 feet. A system with a long-range can be a very beneficial factor if used to its potential. In our personal experience, we believe the range for the PGXD 14 is actually a little more than 200 feet.
In one of the 2 videos below, John takes his guitar solo to the beach area where he is about 300 feet away, and the system is working just fine.
Video: Taking a guitar solo on the beach with the Shure PGXD 14
Wireless systems with a great range like the PGXD 14 gives you the ability to take your solo into the crowd. Like I’ve mentioned in previous articles, musicians think it’s lame to solo in the crowd, but listeners love it.
They probably don’t love it very much if they’re just trying to enjoy the day on a beach, but the people that specifically come to see a show certainly enjoy it like the video below.
Video: Taking a guitar solo into the crowd with the PGXD 14
Compatible With Active Pickups
The Shure PGXD 14 is 100% compatible with active pickups and compatible with any instruments output. I called the manufacturer’s of Shure to clarify which of there systems are compatible with active pickups and they made it very clear to me that all of there wireless systems are good to go. In case your instrument has exceptionally high output, the PGXD has a gain adjustment range of 10dB if you need to adjust it at any time.
If you use active pickups or have a boost switch of any sort, you are entirely safe from hums, squeals, dropouts, buzzes, etc. with the Shure PGXD 14.
Durability + Longevity
Wireless guitar systems are either made of plastic or metal. The wireless systems made of metal are more tour worthy and durable where plastic systems are more susceptible to damage. Unfortunately, one of the reasons the PGXD 14 is at a lower price is because it’s made of plastic.
My guitarist John who’s been touring with the PGXD 14 for years now has never had any durability issues with the system. However, if your the type of player who dances your life out on stage, I highly recommend getting a Neotech wireless pouch for extra protection for your transmitter.
Add A Neotech Wireless Pouch For Protection
I probably mention the Neotech Wireless Pouch in nearly every article I have written. It’s because the pouch was literally the best $15 Investment in my entire life. I truly don’t want anyone to go through what I went through in my wireless journey.
In my earlier days, I have had wireless systems entirely break due to my own sweat. I have also had moments of my wireless falling off of my strap breaking through the electrical tape.
The pouch comes in 2 sizes: small and medium.
I use the medium size for my GLXD 16, but some reviews claim the small size fits better. Honestly, the medium works perfectly fine for me. I guess either size works.
Video of the Neotech Wireless Pouch and how to set it up
List of which pouch size is right for all wireless guitar systems
Medium Size
(according to reviews) Keep in mind, many wireless units work for both sizes.
- Shure PGXD 14
- Line 6 relay G30
- Line 6 relay G50
- Line 6 G55
- line 6 relay G70
- Line 6 relay G90
- Sony DWZ
- AKG’s PT40 Mini wireless transmitter
- Sennheiser EW 172G3 transmitter
- Audio Technica System 10 ATW-T1001 UniPak transmitter
- Shure GLXD-16 (My personal Wireless System, I use a medium)
Small Size
(according to reviews) Keep in mind, many wireless units work for both sizes.
- Line 6 relay G30
- Line 6 relay G50
- Shure GLX-D16 (my personal system, I use a medium but according to reviews a small works as well)
- Shure GLX-D1
- AKG WMS 40 Mini Instrument
- Audio-Technica ATW-T210
- Shure glxd14
Why you need a Neotech Wireless Pouch for any wireless
- Protects from sweat damage
- Protects from moisture damage (for those who play outdoor gigs near a beach or in high humidity)
- Protects from impact (Dear metalheads, once you leave the stage to play in the pit… if you forget your helmet….just know…..your wireless is a bit more protected)
- Stops the wireless from sliding/falling off
- Protects wireless from Dust
- Holds wireless firmly in place (All the behind the back solos you wish) Abnormally cheap for such a useful accessory
- Works With Just About any Strap
Cons Of The Shure PGXD 14
- Made of plastic rather than metal
- Not the most convenient set up compared to a pedal or rack-mountable receiver.
- Needs 2 AA disposable batteries. (Some wireless systems like the GLXD series uses lithium-ion rechargeable batteries)
The Bottom Line
The Shure PGXD 14 is the most reliable wireless guitar system for the lowest price on the market. I have witnessed my guitarist use it across the country for years as it’s never failed us. The system’s exceptional reliability, signal strength, tone, clarity, and range make the PGXD 14 an incredible investment.
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