Sennheiser Spectera Introduced to the Americas at Spectrum Management Conference

Sennheiser highlighted its new Spectera Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) system and made a presentation on the future use of the 1.4GHz band for wireless microphone operations during the Americas Spectrum Management Conference that took place in Washington D.C. on October 1-2, 2024. Conference attendees traveled from a wide variety of North, Central, and South American countries.

Read the Market Update on MEMS microphones, Shure’s valuable perspective about Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) technology, and a review of the extraordinary Eigenmike em64 Ambisonics microphone. Brent Butterworth reviews the new Sony MDR-M1 headphones, and Alex Bonnet and Eric Benhaim (Orosound) explain how to leverage ANC in open-ear designs. Brian Lowe (Belleson) shares his Top Amp design for phono preamps, Douglas Self reveals more op-amp distortion tests, and Richard Honeycutt revisits the legendary Dynaco ST-70 and ST-70 II tube power amps.

Sennheiser unveiled Spectera, the first bidirectional wideband microphone and IEM solution using Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) technology, at IBC 2024. After that, it showcased the solution at numerous international trade shows. Now, Sennheiser is taking the first step for market introduction with the Spectera Pioneer Program, which gives selected customers from live audio and broadcasting the opportunity to experience the new technology in their daily work.

It didn’t take long for Shure to make its own WMAS (Wireless Multichannel Audio System) product announcement, leveraging the superior RF performance and audio quality associated with the multichannel wideband technology that significantly increases spectral efficiency. The new Shure Digital PSM wireless in ear monitor system is powered with WMAS innovation, and will be available early 2025. A solution that offers unmatched flexibility and scalability for monitor engineers, RF engineers, and rental houses.

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) approved a change in its regulation that now permits operation of Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) in the United States. WMAS is an advanced wireless microphone technology designed to meet the challenges of highly demanding live performance and studio applications. Sennheiser started development work on WMAS over ten years ago and, in August 2018, the company filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the FCC requesting a modification in the bandwidth limit specified for wireless microphones.