Top 5 Rackmount Wireless Microphone Systems

What are the best rackmount wireless microphone systems on the market? Rackmounting your wireless microphone system is a very convenient way to protect your investment. If you’re used to carrying around a rackmount, installing your wireless microphone receiver will eliminate clutter, and reduce an extra setup step before every show/event.

Of the many rack-mountable wireless microphone systems on the market, we picked the top 5. All of these systems are highly dependable, produce excellent sound quality, and have strong signal strength with frequency agility features to reduce dropouts. 

All of these rack-mountable wireless microphone systems are best used for the following. 

• Corporate/event bands
• DJ’s
• Live Vocals
• Touring bands/artists 
• Karaoke 
• Speeches 
• Churches
• Small to midsized venues (large venue being stadiums/arenas)

Here Are The 5 Best Rackmount Wireless Microphone Systems

• Shure QLXD24/SM58
• Sennheiser EW 100-835S 
• Shure GLXD24R/B87A
• Shure QLXD24/B87A
• Shure ULXD24/Beta 58A

1. Shure QLXD24/SM58

The universal standard SM58 is a dynamic microphone that is incredible at rejecting background noise. With a frequency response of 50Hz-15kHz and over 120dB of dynamic range, the cardioid microphone has excellent sound quality.

The SM58 being heavier but smaller than the Beta 87A has an interchangeable mic capsule as well for greater versatility. In scenarios where you prefer a shorter but heavier mic like the SM58, but the sound of a different mic capsule, the Shure SM86, Beta58A, and Beta87A are other capsule options.

Features

• Able to change the microphone capsule for incredible flexibility
• Secure transmission with AES 256-bit encryption
• LCD menu
• Digital predictive switching diversity ensures strong reliability and signal strength
• Above 120dB dynamic range
• One-touch sync function to connect transmitter and receiver for easy setup
• Mute feature
• Durable metal receiver
• Mac, PC, and iOS-compatible for remote operation

Tech Specs

2. Sennheiser EW 100-835S 

With its e835 capsule, the microphone produces an incredibly smooth and warm tone with impressive feedback rejection. The capsules SPL handling is much higher than the typical microphone at 154dB, making it worthy for the loudest of vocalists. The mic lasts 8 hours with 2 AA batteries.

In the UHF frequency band of 516-558 MHz, the receiver uses high-quality true diversity for increased protection from interference. Both antennas work independently as each locates its own clearest available channel. If one antenna gets hit with interference, the signal is unnoticeably switched to the other antenna with a clear signal.

On top of its smooth tone, clear connection, durable aluminum casing, rack-mountable receiver, and low price; The Sennheiser EW 100-835S also is one of the leaders in the market with the furthest range at 330 ft.

Features

• Tough aluminum housing for increased durability and longevity
• Extremely long range of 330 ft.
• Auto channel lock function
• e835 capsule produces a smooth and warm sound quality
• Incredible SPL handling and feedback rejection 
• Added Equalizer and Soundcheck mode features
• Auto frequency scan for locating the clearest available channels

Tech Specs

3. Shure GLXD24R/B87A

The Shure GLXD24R with the Beta 87A is an incredible digital wireless solution with a rackmount receiver for the price. This system checks 4 out of 5 boxes for what to look for in a wireless mic.

Reliability/Signal Strength

With a globally unlicensed 2.4GHz frequency band, the Shure GLXD24R has a much higher chance of a secure future from the FCC auctioning off frequencies. This system features Shure’s state of automatic frequency management and bidirectional communication that lets your transmitter automatically link to your receiver and follow any frequency changes.

Each channel uses 6 different frequencies that continuously scan to monitor the frequency condition. After it finds the 3 clearest channels, it transmits the audio signal upon the 3 clearest audio frequencies of the 6 available. If one of the frequencies get interference or conditions deteriorate, it automatically changes to a backup frequency without interrupting the audio. This reason is why GLXD systems have been raved about for signal strength and clarity for years.

Convenient

The Shure GLXD family has the longest battery life of any wireless microphone system of 16 hours. Better yet, it uses lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that are conveniently charged by plugging the battery into the receiver’s docking port. Not needing disposable batteries ends up saving money and becomes much less of a hassle. 

Hypothetically in a situation where your GLXD 16 is entirely dead, and you’re already at the gig, only 15 minutes of charge gives you 90 minutes of playtime. This definitely comes in handy for a bad situation.

Microphone and Sound Quality

Like mentioned earlier, the Beta 87A is an outstanding supercardioid condenser microphone with excellent sound quality. Condenser microphones are much more detailed and articulate that pick up all the nuances of your voice. The mic is either charged by 2 AA batteries or Shure’s Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery but it’s best to use the Lithium-ion battery that it comes with.

Durability

The Shure GLXD24R is a rack-mountable metal receiver able to take on extreme touring conditions for years to come.

Range 

The one thing that the Shure GLXD24R lacks is its range of 200 feet radius where most systems on this list have 300+ feet of range. For singers or speakers who don’t need above 200 feet radius of range, this system is a sound choice.

Features

• 2.4GHz globally unlicensed frequency band
• The transmitter automatically follows the receiver frequency changes using Bidirectional communication
• LINKFREQ intelligent frequency management automatically identifies the best open channels
• Completely eliminates signal interference by continuously monitoring for the clearest signal, then automatically change to the best open frequency without notice
• Allows operation of up to 11 compatible systems
• 16 hours of battery life with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
• Battery charging docking port on the receiver
• 200 feet radius of range
• Integrate up to 6 GLX-D Advanced systems with a single GLX-D Advanced Frequency Manager

Tech Specs

4. Shure QLXD24/B87A

The Shure QLXD 24 rack-mountable digital wireless mic system is an incredible choice for speakers, houses of worship, and musicians in a mid-sized to smaller venues. With its 24-bit/48KHz with a frequency range of 20Hz-20kHz, this system has incredible audio clarity and sound quality.

An easy setup, its One-touch sync function feature automatically scans for the most robust open channels. This feature is an essential factor in reducing interference and dropouts.

The B87A that comes with this system is a supercardioid condenser microphone. In general, condenser microphones are much more articulate. They pick up all the nuances of your voice with the downside of picking up sound elsewhere. Contrary to that belief, most users of this mic claim there are no issues with picking up unwanted noise with the B87A mic while maintaining the positive benefits of a condenser.

The mic is either charged by 2 AA batteries or Shure’s Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery.

Although the B87A is one of the highest grade sounding mic capsules by Shure with its bright and detailed sound, you still have the option to change it with its interchangeable mic capsule. It is compatible with being switched to a Beta 58A, SM58, or SM86 capsule for true flexibility and preference depending on your application. All of these capsules are sold separately.

The Shure QLXD24 has a durable metal receiver able to withstand vigorous touring conditions for years to come making it an incredible long-term investment. The AES 256-bit encryption gives the highest level of security for essential speeches where hacks or breaches are not an option.

Features

• Able to change the microphone capsule for incredible flexibility
• Secure transmission with AES 256-bit encryption
• LCD menu
• Digital predictive switching diversity ensures strong reliability and signal strength
• Above 120dB dynamic range
• One-touch sync function to connect transmitter and receiver for easy setup
• Mute feature
• Transmitters compatible with the receiver are available in a variety of forms such as handheld, bodypack, headworn, lavalier, and instrument clip-on.
• Durable metal reciever
• Mac, PC, and iOS-compatible for remote operation

Tech Specs

5. Shure ULXD24/Beta 58A

The Shure ULXD24/Beta 58A is a wireless microphone system using 24-bit/48kHz digital audio. It uses intelligent scanning and predictive switching diversity to find the cleanest frequencies to minimize dropouts and interference. The rackmount receiver is made of durable metal for increased longevity.

This system is basically the same as Shure’s QLXD series (1,3) with the main difference being the ULXD’s Ethernet Networking feature. This feature can be advantageous if you’re using multiple wireless devices running at the same time. Ethernet Networking allows you to streamline the setup of numerous receivers enabling the entire band to run wireless without conflict in a much easier fashion.

Microphone Beta

The Beta 58A that comes with this system is a supercardioid dynamic mic for the highest amount of isolation. This mic naturally has a mid-range boost with a dip in the bass for singers who prefer a punchier high end. With very low handling noise and an increased mic frequency response of 50Hz to 15kHz, many sound engineers and singers are moving from SM58 to Beta.

Features

• Predictive switching diversity
• Ethernet networking
• Gain adjustment on the front panel
• Secure transmission with AES 256-bit encryption when security is needed
• Large LCD screen
• Made of durable metal
• 12 hours of playtime with Shure Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries
• Intelligent signal scanning automatically finds and switches to the cleanest frequencies
• Flat frequency response (actual frequency response depends on the microphone) 

Tech Specs

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