Sennheiser goes low-profile with its tiny new Profile Wireless microphone system

Sennheiser has announced its new Profile Wireless ($299) microphone system. In some ways, it’s typical of the small wireless microphones we’ve come to expect. There are two transmitters and one receiver that you can plug into a camera, computer or smartphone.

The transmitters are also able to take wired lavs, and each transmitter also has internal storage for recording backup recordings locally. Where it differs, though, is with its case – which is more than just a case.

Sennheiser Profile Wireless – Bringing something new

Sennheiser admits that there is already a ton of competition in the market for these small wireless microphones. We’ve got systems from Rode, Deity, Comica, Hollyland, Saramonic and a whole bunch more already. So why is Sennheiser entering into the fray? And what are they bringing?

Well, Sennheiser believes they can add versatility to an otherwise pretty standardised microphone format. They wanted to include all of the details that are important to users of microphones of this type, while packing in as much versatility as they could.

And as far as I can tell, that largely boils down to the case it’s in – or “Charging Bar”. Of course, it offers all of the usual features we’d expect, such as 16GB of internal storage on each transmitter. That’s enough for up to about 30 hours of 24-bit recording, with around 7 hours of record time per full charge.

The One Downside

That leads me to the only downside of the Sennheiser Profile Wireless system so far. There’s no 32-bit float Recording. I expect this will likely come on a future device, but with some of the competition having had 32-bit float recording available already in existing devices, is Sennheiser making a mistake to not include it from the start?

Of course, 32-bit float recording isn’t essential, and not having it can easily be worked around. But 32-bit float is very convenient, and it’s one less thing we have to worry about on set when filming. Still, I am curious to see if the lack of 32-bit float recording does impact public opinion of the device.

Still, it looks like it stands up to the task in every other way for most people, with a charging bar case type thing that adds even more versatility.

Adding more versatility

The charging bar allows you to safely stow each of the elements of the wireless microphone system for easy travel and storage. You’re also able to charge them all within the device. So, you can charge your devices on the go, or take a single USB-C cable to charge the case and them together.

But the case also acts as either a desktop mounted or handheld microphone for things such as interviews. Gone are the days of standing there looking like an idiot waving a lavalier mic around in your hand. Now you can have a real handle to hold.

Of course, Rode does this with the Rode Wireless Pro and Rode Wireless GO II systems using the Rode Interview GO ($29), but that’s an extra separate purchase. It’s nice to see this functionality included with the Sennheiser Profile Wireless.

Price and Availability

The Sennheiser Profile Wireless 2-person microphone system is available to pre-order now for $299. Shipping is expected to begin in mid-November.

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