Sennheiser launches XS Wireless IEM in-ear monitoring system

Musicians know they need better gear at some time in their careers to increase the overall quality of their performance. An in-ear monitoring solution is essential for improving audio quality to the next level. Sennheiser, the maker of the acclaimed Evolution Wireless IEM systems, has introduced the XS Wireless IEM for musicians looking to upgrade from floor wedges to wireless IEMs.

Sennheiser XS Wireless IEM is a complete starter set for musicians who want to professionalize their performances by switching to wireless IEMs

The XS Wireless IEM (or XSW IEM for short) is a full personal monitoring starter kit that was created to set a new standard for simple, versatile, and dependable wireless in-ear monitoring. Users can easily establish an easy-to-manage wireless connection in the professional UHF range with the system.

“No matter what your musical genre, whether you are rehearsing or performing live, XSW IEM will level up your sound and give you total freedom of movement,” says Bertram Zimmermann, product manager at Sennheiser. “Being able to hear yourself with clarity is a pre-requisite for a great performance. XSW IEM will give you consistency, reliability, and quality audio, and will let you focus on playing and singing your best.” 

Hearing yourself and other band members well is a prerequisite for a great show

Never go back

“Once musicians have tried out wireless in-ears, they will not want to go back to wedges,” says Zimmermann. “The difference in sound is just too obvious. Hearing yourself well through floor monitors, side fills, or even the PA can be a real struggle. The sound changes constantly, especially when you move around, and is also very different from venue to venue. Trying to hear yourself better by increasing the monitor volume makes things worse, even to the point of causing hearing damage. Also, the overall sound for the audience will deteriorate substantially.”

All of this might detract from a good practice or a wonderful performance because the artist cannot hear themselves correctly or blend in with the other musicians. In-ear monitoring solves these issues: The XSW IEM provides artists with a steady, reliable sound regardless of their location or position on stage. They can fine-tune and improve their performance because to the clarity and detail they hear. Any chance of feedback is substantially diminished.

Regardless of tech experience, XS Wireless IEM systems are easy and fast to set up. They will put an end to stage clutter – and give musicians back more space in their rehearsal room. 

Feature-packed starter set

The UHF spectrum is used by the XSW IEM to deliver a professional-grade wireless connection. Frequency settings that are aligned and pre-calculated get artists up and running quickly. Transmission frequencies can also be manually set if required.

Both the receiver bodypack and the rack-mount transmitter have backlit displays that make it easier to see settings in low light. The system also includes a limiter to protect the user’s hearing as well as a high-frequency boost to improve detail and intelligibility.

Users can choose between a mono mix (one mix with the pan control adjusting the level for the left and right ear) and a stereo mix for their monitor sound. The latter gives you two choices: The pan control changes the left/right volume while Focus mode is turned off; when Focus mode is turned on, it determines which of the two input signals is heard louder, providing a bespoke mono mix tailored to the musician’s preferences.

An infrared sensor helps to easily sync multiple bodypack receivers to one transmitter. 

XS Wireless IEM features reliable UHF transmission and a special Focus mode to tailor monitor sound to the musician’s needs. An infrared sensor helps to sync multiple bodypack receivers to one transmitter

What’s in the box? 

The XSW IEM comes with a stereo bodypack receiver, in-ears, and batteries, as well as a stereo transmitter, antenna, rack-mount kit, and power supply with multiple nation adapters.

Using one transmitter and any number of bodypack receivers to monitor a band’s sound is a very cost-effective method to start out. They may want to make more unique mixes later in their careers, which they can do by simply adding another IEM transmitter.