Sennheiser XSW-D Review: Simple Wireless Lavalier System for Solo Shooters

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at Sennheiser’s new entry level digital wireless microphone system, the XSW-D. In particular, we put the portable lavalier set to the test. The XSW-D is made to be as simple to use as a cable, according to Sennheiser. And based on our tests, we agree.

The transmitter and receiver are very small, include in-built batteries with over 5 hours of powering time, and there’s only a single button so you don’t have to fuss with a bunch of settings. Of course, there are trade-offs when you make things this simple, but overall, it seems that Sennheiser has made a winning option for solo video shooters and those who don’t know a lot about audio production but want high quality audio.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Fairlight and Audition, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F8 and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Links to gear used in this video:

Sennheiser XSW-D Portable Lavalier Set - the wireless lavalier kit we reviewed here

Sennheiser XSW-D Wireless Microphone System - all the options, kits, add-on receivers and transmitters

RODELink Filmmaker Kit - this is the set with a transmitter, a receiver, and the RODE Lavalier microphone

RODELink Wireless Microphone System - all the options, kits, add-on receivers and transmitters

Aputure AL-MW LED Light (Amazon) - used as the background light in the talking head shots

Aputure COB 120DII LED Light (Amazon) - this is my main workhorse light for 90% of my video work.

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - I used this to record most of this episode

Panasonic 12-35mm F/2.8 OIS Lens - Used on the Pocket 4K camera

Panasonic GH5 (Amazon)

Panasonic GH5S (Amazon)

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Music Copyright 2019 by Cary Judd. Used with permission.