Sale! Crown CM311 AESH Headworn Microphone for Shure Wireless

★★★★☆ The crown cm311 is to my knowledge still the best headworn mic ever made. Sound quality is among the best. I have yet to use any mic that has as much feedback rejection as the cm311. That being said it's design is from the early 90's I think, and so the mic is heavier than any headworn mic i've ever used. It's still my favorite headworn mic until and unless someone can come up with something to compete with it's sound quality and feedback rejection which is so important in a live performance.

★★★★★ The Crown CM-311 has been around awhile. It has been used by Garth Brooks, Janet Jackson and many other top performers. Why? it stays put on your face, sounds great and does a great job of rejecting sound from the sides and back. There are numerous reviews of this mic's performance that you can find online. When buying this mic used on ebay, know that it is a well constructed device that is hard to break or damage, although the frame must be bent (or re-bent, if used) to fit your head. Beyond that, keep the following in mind: (1) There are several different models of this mic and variations of the same model depending on year of manufacture. The main two models are the wired CM-311A and the wireless CM-311AE. The CM-311A has a beltback which houses the 9V battery and accepts a standard female XLR plug. While it is certainly possible to use the CM-311A wireless (use a short cord with female XLR to whatever plug your wireless beltpack transmitter uses), this model really is for stationary performers like drummers, keyboardists or anyone that can deal with being tethered by a mic cord. If you need a wireless solution, get the CM-311AE. This model doesn't have the large battery pack - instead there is a small inline box that connects the mic to whatever connector your wireless transmitter uses, and the mic gets its it power directly from your wireless transmitter. If buying this mic used, make sure you contact the seller and verify which model you're buying! The one I bought was described as the CM-311AESH and the post pictured the CM-311A. I was in a position to use either model, but it's best to find out for sure what you're buying. (2) While a sturdy unit, this mic does have 2 "expendables" that you should be aware of. First, the mic uses a detachable foam windscreen that is meant to touch your mouth. It may or may not come with a used mic, but you'll need it, and for sanitary reasons I'd recommend getting a new one. It's discontinued part # WS-6 (available from Sam Ash for around $8) or current part # M45887-3 (available from Full Compass for around $13). The other expendable is the foam "cheek pad", part # D8399-4, (available from Full Compass for $1.68), but you can easily make your own, if missing, from rigid foam. The headband is definitely uncomfortable without it. Other parts that most likely won't need replacing (like the metal windscreen grilles) are also available from Full Compass. Just search their site for "crown parts". (3) Lastly, given it's shape and expense, this mic really needs a carrying case. If the original is missing (as was the case with the one I bought), it will cost you over $52 to replace it (Full Compass, part # 125127-1). The complete unit needs a case with at least 7" x 7" x 2.5" interior space to fit. I know there are other headworn mics out there that are lighter and less cosmetically obtrusive, but if you need to stick your face into a live monitor or as a singing drummer need the sound of your drums rejected, this IMHO is still the mic to get.

★★★★☆ This is a great mike for a drummer like me. The mike has a good sound for a headworn microphone. It is not as good as a high quality hand held mike wike a Shure SM58 or Beta 58, but it is decent sounding. The mike stays in place. It is fairly uni-directional so, as a drummer, it does not pickup my drums or feedback from the monitors. One drawback, which is the same with all headworn mikes, is that you can't back off the mike for quiet lines or background vocals. You can, however easily turn the mike away from your mouth and back again without any adjustments to the headset. Every soundman that I have talk to says that it's the easist headworn mike to work with. I have used the Countryman headworn mike and it sounds just as good(maybe even a little bit better)but it picks up more background noise(drums, guitar amps,etc. and more prone to feedback. I've used the Crown CM-311a and the Crown CM-311AE which is the wireless version and they both sound about the same.