Enhance the Audio Quality of Smartphone Talk Recording and Online Meetings The XS Lav Series Lavalier Microphones That Work Simply by Connecting

< XS Lav Series Lavalier Microphones Ideal for Smartphone Recording >

With the rise of vlogs and the growing demand for online meetings such as Zoom, there is an increasing need to improve the audio quality of microphone input on smartphones and notebook computers. High audio quality can be achieved by using large-scale audio equipment such as microphones and audio interfaces as in the past, but for general vlogs and online meetings by people who are not professionals in music production or audio equipment, large audio setups are not desirable.

The “XS Lav Series” released by SENNHEISER is a microphone product that allows even people who are not familiar with audio equipment to easily achieve higher sound quality. Simply clip it onto clothing and connect the plug to a smartphone or computer, and it is ready to use. I would like to introduce what kind of product it is.

SENNHEISER / XS LAV Mobile

SENNHEISER / XS LAV USB-C

The “XS Lav Series” consists of two types: the 3.5 mm jack type “XS Lav Mobile” and the USB-C jack type “XS Lav USB-C”. In this review, I will introduce both products and compare them.

Nothing complicated at all—just connect it and it’s ready to go.

When you open the package, the XS Lav Mobile / XS Lav USB-C is stored in a carrying pouch. Inside the pouch are the microphone unit, a clip, and a windscreen.

< XS Lav USB-C pouch and contents >

The instruction manual is also extremely simple, with not even any written explanations included.

< Included instruction sheet >

That’s everything included with the product. Even though it is a high-quality microphone, there are no complicated accessories, usage methods, or settings—simply connect it to a smartphone or computer and it’s ready to use. It seems like something anyone could handle.

Attaching the windscreen and clip is also easy. They can only be attached one way, so there is no confusion. Also, since the windscreen and microphone are rarely removed, once they are attached there is little risk of losing them.

< Ready to use once the windscreen and clip are attached >

< Can be clipped onto clothing >

Clear, Easily Understandable Voice — Dramatically Improved Talk Audio Quality

Since the XS Lav Series is a microphone, the most important factor is the sound quality. Microphones like the XS Lav Series, which are clipped onto clothing to record speech, are called lavalier types, and I have personally had many failures in the past with cheaper lavalier microphones. Many of the lower end commercially available lavalier microphones suffer from problems such as muffled sound and poor clarity—in short, they are hard to hear.

Although the XS Lav Series is a product from the long-established microphone manufacturer SENNHEISER, it is priced quite low. Its quality and how it differs from inexpensive, commercially available lavaliers are naturally points of interest.

I connected it to a computer and recorded using free recording software, then checked the sound quality. For talking, it was able to record sound that was more than satisfactory. In particular, the way the high frequencies extend cleanly without becoming muffled is excellent. There should be no difficulty in understanding what is being said.

Looking at the frequency response, which represents the characteristics of the microphones, the XS Lav Mobile covers 50 Hz to 18 kHz, while the XS Lav USB-C covers 70 Hz to 18 kHz. Both have sufficient bandwidth for talking. There are subtle differences between the two models, but they should not cause any issues for recording speech.

Also, neither microphone distorts even at relatively high volumes when I checked. If distortion does occur, increasing the distance between the microphone and your face can help avoid this.

Differences Between XS Lav Mobile and XS Lav USB-C

The difference between the two products in the “XS Lav Series” is the type of connection terminal.
In conclusion, there is no significant difference in sound quality or ease of use, so you can choose which model matches the terminal of your device best.

For TRRS connections, note that audio output from the jack is disabled, so if two-way communication is required, the XS Lav USB-C should be used.

< XS Lav USB-C (left) and XS Lav Mobile (right) connectors >

On computers and Android devices, both USB-C and headphone/microphone jacks are often available, so either model can be connected. However, if either option works, the XS Lav USB-C is more convenient. Since the “XS Lav USB-C” uses a digital connection, the device will display the model name as an audio input. Select the model name as needed and switch the input to “XS Lav USB-C”.

< Connecting the XS Lav USB-C to a computer >

< Selecting XS Lav USB-C on the computer >

For connection with an iPhone, use a headphone/microphone-to-Lightning adapter to connect the XS Lav Mobile.

Lavalier microphones have traditionally had a strong professional image, and until now, they were mainly purchased by professionals. However, the times have changed, and in a world where anyone can record shows, everyone has come to see the need for lavalier microphones. The XS Lav Series can be described as a lavalier microphone designed for people who are not familiar with audio equipment. Simply by connecting it, it becomes a secret tool that can improve the audio quality of vlogs or Zoom meetings, and it is likely to be loved by many people.

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