Top 10 Best Headworn Mics for Wireless Systems Review

Headworn mics provide unrestricted freedom of motion while cancelling a great bit of noise due to their close proximity to the mouth of the talent. They are invaluable for live shows and stage performance that involves moving around, dancing or even gesticulating. Being partly concealed they are less distracting for the audience. With both hands free, speakers also find it easier to hold audience’s attention.

In order to use headworns it is necessary to have a wireless receiver and transmitter. Those mics plug directly into transmitter also known as bodypack. However, different wireless manufacturers use different plugs that are not compatible. In this review, we will refer to four most popular plug types, which are listed in the table below. Do compare with your transmitter to make sure it will match.

TA4F (TQG)	TA3F (mini XLR)	3.5mm locking	4-pin locking (UniPak)
Shure, Carvin, JTS, Trantec	AKG, Audix, Gemini, Airwave, Samson	Sennheiser	Audio Technica

1. Countryman E6

Pros Pristine sound quality Comfortable & lightweight Unmatched durability Replaceable cable

Cons Not everyone can afford

This mic can be considered the industry’s quality standard and it is by far the best headworn we’ve reviewed. Not only does it blow you away with its pristine sound quality, which is something that goes without saying, but it is also quite very durable so don’t be surprised when it outlasts other models! It uses a detachable cable, for which replacements are easily available, although breaking that aramid-reinforced cable may prove to be a challenge. Simple as it is, Countryman E6 is very lightweight and comfortable to wear. Sometimes I even forget that I’m wearing anything. While the rear part is kind of springy, the boom is more adjustable. Once done with adjustments, it will maintain that position and stay on your ear securely.

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2. Shure MX153

Pros Consistent performance High quality sound Decent durability Pleasant design

Cons No cons

Shure MX153 is another awesome single-ear mic, which costs less yet provides a nice combination of superior sound quality, decent durability and pleasant, comfortable design. It boasts to have a solid, flat frequency response and since it’s omnidirectional, it is not affected by proximity. Actually, all of those mics except #6 are omni as well, so there is no proximity issue. MX153 will give you a consistent performance in any situation for both speech and vocals and thus I can’t recommend it enough. Design is another forte of this model – it is well thought out, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Despite the fact that it has a non-detachable wire, the rubber portion protects it from snapping at the base.

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3. Shure DuraPlex

Pros Professional sound quality Secure placement Rugged design with replaceable cable

Cons Bigger footprint Expensive

Lightweight and comfortable to wear, the DuraPlex DH5 headset microphone offers a neutral, full sound that will lift your performance, speech, musical, or broadcast. Rely on the DH5 headset microphone in the harshest environments, thanks to its long-lasting Shure Plex cable and a certified IP57 rating, which means you’re protected against water, sweat, moisture, dust, and dirt. Capture every moment with confidence. Creates tailored frequency response provides additional vocal clarity and presence (3-4 dB boost near 10 kHz). 5 mm omnidirectional subminiature design for discrete placement and improved gain-before-feedback.

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4. Audio Technica Microset Omni

Pros Amazing sound quality Very crispy response Ergonomic design Lightweight

Cons Requires delicate handling

This headworn mic from Audio Technica is also among the best in terms of the sound. It has a very crisp, extended response with a slightly elevated brilliance, which works well for lavs and head mics alike. It has an ergonomic design that rests comfortably on your ear. You may also attach the included neck support so that it connects to both ears and stays more secured in place. It is also quite lightweight (only 2.6g) but is not very durable. There are two vulnerable points where the boom and the wire connect to the body. If you can handle it delicately without readjusting every time, then it shouldn’t be a problem! However, if you trust it to someone who has little clue like untrained personnel, eventually they will kill it.

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5. Airwave HSD Slimline SE

Pros Smooth balanced sound Great quality for the buck Replaceable wire Relatively durable

Cons Potential for slipping

Slimline SE is a budget model and among others, it brings a great quality for the buck. It is no different from the others in that it uses an omnidirectional condenser capsule. While condensers can sometimes sound harsh in the upper register, this mic doesn’t have that issue. Overall, the sound is quite balanced and although it may not be as good as MX153 it seems to get pretty close. If you don’t want to spend multiple amounts for premium gear then you should really give it a try and you won’t be sorry. Slimline’s design has nothing fancy about it, though a replaceable wire certainly earns it some credit. The boom and over-the-ear thing are easy to adjust, although awkward movements can potentially cause slipping.

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6. Shure SM31FH

Pros Comfortable Decent quality Works in tough conditions Inexpensive

Cons Not for vocals

Shure SM31FH is a unique headworn made for fitness and sports instructors. Even though it looks huge compared to the rest, it is still quite lightweight and that rubber finish actually gives it a nice feel. This design provides maximum fixation and I assure you, it will not slip even if you stand on your head. It is also very easy to take on and off – overall, it’s quite comfortable. Aside from peculiar design, SM31FH features directional capsule with a cardioid pattern, which helps both rejecting a fair amount of extraneous sounds and improving feedback resistance. The sound quality is quite decent though you wouldn’t want to use it for signing. If you are into sports and workouts then this mic is for you.

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7. Av-Jefes Avl630

Pros Very good sound Comfortable Lightweight Affordable

Cons Non-detachable wire

Avl630 is another budget headworn that boasts quite a professional sound. It may be a less recognized brand and yet the performance is as good as twice more expensive units! Notably, it features a stable frequency response with some added brightness to the upper range, which sounds pretty well balanced. For a single-ear mic, it is also comfortable. The cable is connected directly to the base of the boom and it looks unusual, but guess it’s even better that way with nothing extra hanging in between. Can’t say anything about Avl630’s durability except that a detachable cable could be an advantage. The cable does seem to be reinforced though and other than that, there isn’t much to break.

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8. Point Source Audio CO-3

Pros Professional sound Durable materials Quality build Inexpensive

Cons Non-detachable wire

The CO-3 Microphone is our entry-level earworn microphone designed for speech reinforcement for church liturgy, lecturing, and other applications that require good quality vocal pick up in a hands-free environment. It has an omnidirectional polar pattern which allows a full 360 degree pick up of sound providing a natural blend of voice and ambience. The design of the CO-3 earworn microphone lends itself to reduced speech produced “popping sounds” and voice overloads in close mic applications and the convenient placement near the mouth greatly reduces noise from wind and clothing.

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9. JK Pro MIC-J 071S

Pros Detachable wire Secure placement Lightweight Excellent value for money

Cons Non-detachable wire

JK MIC-J 071S omnidirectional microphone is perfect for presentation, fitness and vocal applications. This low profile, miniature condenser mic provides accurate audio reproduction through its compact 3.0mm capsule. With microdot detachable cable, easily convert/replace your connectors. Manufactured with extreme care and the highest quality components, the JK MIC-J 071S delivers exceptionally clear, articulate sound with reliable performance in an extremely low profile design. Despite its low price, this mic offers relatively low self-noise and decent overall quality, making it a suitable replacement for your original headworn mic.

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10. Apex 570

Pros Good clarity Crispy response Interchangeable plugs Detachable wire

Cons Not really

This mic’s unique feature is that in addition to a detachable wire it comes with four most common interchangeable plugs. I find it very convenient especially if you intend using it with different brands of bodypacks, whereas other mics do not offer this possibility. Similar to the rest of the mics (aside from Shure Sm31), this mic offers a condenser capsule with omnidirectional response. Apex 570 has a brighter tone and a slightly higher sensitivity so it feels more emphatic. Good clarity and crispy response also make it into the list of its advantages. The over-the-ear part is springier and it stays in place better. Finally, Apex comes with an attachable neck headband, which is another pleasant addition.

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Need more options? Check out our Best Lapel Microphones.