Comments on: Line 6 XD-V55HS

By: J.D.

J.D. — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I bought the v55 headset two months ago impressed by the specs, price and the fact that I could get a cardioid headset with such a small footprint in this price range. I perform drumming shows and need to be able to talk to the audience while playing instruments with my hands. I admit I was concerned looking at the pictures because the microphone seemed to be pointing straight out like an omnidirectional microphone, and was not aimed directly at my mouth like the Shure headset I was previously using, but decided to give it a try anyway.The receiver seems to work fine, I haven’t had problems with it, though it doesn’t come close to the 300feet of range advertised (tested outdoors with a clear line of sight I made it to maybe 50-60 feet before it started to cut out). The microphone however has been giving me problems since day 1. I was looking for cardioid because of the noise of drums and other instruments on stage and wanted to isolate my voice to prevent feedback. This mic may or may not be a cardioid mic but the placement of it does not isolate my voice at all! For my quieter children’s shows this actually works as an advantage because it picks up many of the instruments I’m demonstrating to the kids and reduces my need for ambient mics, but when I’m working with another musician or playing loudly I definitely ran into feedback issues. Mostly imperceptible to the audience, but little frequency responses that drive me crazy and make the whole thing sound a little “noisy”.More importantly when I received the unit the first thing I noticed was that it stuck to the side of my face and I couldn’t adjust it in anyway so that it went around my cheek and sat in front of my mouth. I’m a skinny guy with a long face too, I can’t imagine what it would be like for someone with a more round face. I tried all kinds of things to adjust it, but could never really get it to sit comfortably off of my cheek. Well not such a HUGE problem except that I live in work in Cancun, Mexico and it’s humid and hot and I’m jumping around and playing drums sweating profusely. One day suddenly the mic sounded very strange in the middle of the show and I realized that the windscreen had become saturated with sweat (because I can’t get it to stay anywhere that’s not touching my face). After that the microphone basically stopped working. The signal is so weak I need to crank up to almost double what I need with my old shure pg30.I wanted the skinny mic and larger range at the price Line 6 was offering and figured that Line 6 is a pretty reputable brand so I went for it, but I should have stuck with the tried and true Shure. I’ll keep using the reciever, but I’m looking for a new microphone now.

By: horsesense

horsesense — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This system is being used in a worship setting and so far we have found it to be very reliable. What is most notable is the clarity of sound that you get from the mic, transmitter, and receiver. It truly does deliver the frequency response as advertised. In our context, there are not many people that have a technical background and this system does not require a lot of insight into the carrier frequencies and conflicts that can arise from analog systems. We just select a channel and go. We also have WiFi at our facility and there have been no conflicts (we used a smartphone app to determine the channel being used by the WiFi).Our current configuration consists of 6 receivers, 3 handheld mics, 1 headset mic, 1 lavalier mic, and 1 instrument connection ( I purchased the XD-V55HS and a Shure WA304 cable and used the cable to connect the instrument to the bodypack. Now I have a spare headset mic.)So far, I've not had any trouble with the bodypack battery door latch. All of the components are made of aluminum and plastic and seem very rugged.

By: J J Dion

J J Dion — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’m impressed with the Electronic Components; it seems to be working well, as described. The Microphone sensitivity is good. The connector wiring is a problem, however. Because it’s SO flimsy, I tried to be extra careful handling it, storing it, etc, but it failed after just a few months of gentle use. I took it to a PA repair Pro who told me that the sweat from the back of my neck affected the wire!!! I attempted to repair/re-solder the wire at the perceived “fail” point & actually got it working for a couple of gigs; then it failed again. I ordered a replacement wire, & they shipped me the wrong one! I’m going to try one more time; I’ll try to find SOME kind of sweatproof protective wrapping tape for the neck area BEFORE I use it. If this is the standard quality of wire for the Headset Mike Industry, then I’m leery about investing in their shoddy crap!

By: Rob Schultz

Rob Schultz — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This headset is useless. Even for the most inanimate person. I bought it for use as a drummer/singer gig. Solid gear, as usual, as far as the receiver and transmitter are concerned, but this headset is just a joke. So ridiculously flimsy I, and I use this term very rarely, “literally” laughed out loud that this was the actual product. I won’t stay for a nanosecond in place, sounds like an old Radio Shack dictation mic, and is about as comfortable to wear as a pair of itchy underpants. I own an XD-V55 – Handheld, which is flawless. This product, on the other hand, should be an embarrassment to every single Line 6 employee from the CEO to the person sweeping the warehouse floors. Just an awful product.

By: D. Wainscott

D. Wainscott — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Everything about this wireless system is great. Used the head mic on physical fitness instructors. Didn’t move… clear & clean. I’ve been a live sound engineer for 35 years using all the top of the line wireless units & Line 6 cannot be beat not only for the price but period.

By: Joyce Batters

Joyce Batters — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Awesome, best headset mic I've ever bought.

By: Brian Albert

Brian Albert — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Line 6 is up there not quite as good a senheiser clarity wise, BUT unbeatable in range and signal wise, making it a better mic system in my opinion. Having owned both you simply CAN NOT BEAT THIS MIC. It is a solid work horse delivering the goods day in and day out they take abuse and don't even flinch.If you are looking for a great mic at a decent price this is it. Remember the guy riding your audio board has just as much to do with you sounding good as the mic your using. A quality audio tech can achieve greatness with this mic.Cons: Only on time has this mic ever failed, Cinderblock walls, it tended to have a problem with, but regularly normally these will work far FAR out-of Line-of-Sight, usually into the dressing rooms (depending on the theatre).AA batteries are a HUGE PLUS!!! DUARCELLS ARE THE BEST HANDS DOWN!!!! Don't use rechargeables!!!! Somebody will invariably forget to charge them.