REVIEW – I am a member of the media team at my church and over the past few years we have evolved and expanded into multiple operation rooms and multiple teams handling the cameras, the audio production, the video projection, and the online broadcasting. This expansion created the need to have good-quality communication headsets for some of the members of each team. Over the past 2 years, we have been using a relatively good headset system, but it has taken a beating and now it is time for a replacement. Enter the Saramonic WiTalk9 Series – WT6S.
What is it?
The Saramonic WiTalk9 Series – WT6S is designed with the communication needs of teams in mind. It utilizes Saramonic’s ClearTalk™ noise cancellation technology and dual antennas to deliver high-quality full-duplex voice calls within the team over long distances. It supports multi-person hands-free operation without the need for a hub and offers enhanced flexibility.
What’s included?
- 1 x WiTalk9 SMH Single-ear Master Headset
- 5 x WiTalk9 Single-ear Remote Headset
- 12 x Replaceable Batteries
- 1 x 10-Slot Charging Case
- 1 x Charger for Charging Case
- 6 x On-Ear Foam Cushion
- 6 x Condensation Cushion
- 6 x Headset Pad
- 6 x Foam Windscreen for Microphone
- 3 x Number Sticker Sheet
- 6 x Headset Drawstring Pouch
- 1 x Carrying Case
- 1 x User Manual
Tech specs
Design and features
- Clear and Clean Long-Distance Communication: With dual antennas, the WiTalk9 Series can cover a range of up to 500 meters, allowing team members to reach each other with less interference from other radio signals like 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Saramonic’s ClearTalk™ technology — three microphone array and noise cancellation algorithm — effectively filters out background and wind noise. With high volume, the system ensures crystal-clear conversations in places where the Sound Pressure Level (SPL) reaches as high as 130 dB. The WiTalk9 Series also connects with smartphones or computers through cables or wirelessly for cross-location communication via online means, breaking geographical restrictions when talking with teams worldwide.
- Convenient One-Hand Operation: Unlike conventional intercom systems and walkie-talkies, the Saramonic WiTalk9’s headset design frees your hands to do more essential things. And when you do need to control the headset, its one-hand features make common operations quick and easy. Turn the knob to adjust the volume or press it to activate Broadcast or PTT mode. Raise the boom to mute and pull back down to start talking again. The Saramonic app also provides access to essential functions, such as Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH), using large icons to make the system easier and faster to use.
- Support for Teams from Large to Small: Built for medium to large teams, the WiTalk9 intercom system supports full-duplex multi-person communication without a hub, connecting up to 9 users directly for an easy setup without the hassle of dealing with cables. With wired cascading, it can connect 4 systems to support as many as 30 users simultaneously. The WiTalk9 SE, on the other hand, supports up to 5 people in a single full-duplex system and up to 9 people with 2 systems connected with wired cascading, perfect for smaller and more compact groups.
- Comfort that’s Built to Last: The WiTalk 9 Series comes in a lightweight design that makes the headset comfortable to wear even for long periods. The adjustable headband is wrapped in premium lambskin to ensure a proper fit that won’t cut into your scalp, and the aviation-grade cooling gel ear cushions (protein leather for SE) provide noise isolation and cooling and sweat protection for your ears. The replaceable temple pad is made from protein leather for stable long-term wear, while the PC+30GF frame is touted for its high durability and wear resistance. With an IPX5 rating, the WiTalk 9 headsets let you talk with confidence even in rainy weather.
The Saramonic WiTalk9 Series – WT6S consisted of 6 headsets including the master headset. Each headset features an adjustable headband, a flip-up/down mic with mic mute and noise cancellation audio quality adjustment, a padded earpiece, a padded headrest, volume adjustment, and LED status indicators.
Setup
The only thing required to start using the Saramonic WiTalk9 Series – WT6S system is to charge the batteries and insert one into each headset.
Performance
The Saramonic WiTalk9 Series – WT6S system is easy to set up and to start using.
Once I installed a battery in each headset, I powered on the Master headset and then as I powered on each remote headset, they connected. Each team member that was assigned a headset was able to communicate immediately. On the balcony of my church, is the video projection team, the camera controller, and the audio team. A total of 4 team members were chosen to receive headsets. The Master headset is assigned to the Audio Engineer.
The remaining 2 remote headsets are assigned to the 2 team members who sit in the live streaming/broadcasting room in the lower sanctuary.
The photos below show the LED indicators on the headset that include indicators for power, mute, and signal strength.
Right out of the box, this Saramonic WiTalk9 Series – WT6S system looks and feels like quality. The remote headsets immediately pair with the master once turned on and the audio quality is amazing. Some of the features that I like are the auto muting when the mic is raised, the audio quality/noise cancellation button on the mic, and the comfortable earpads. The transmission range and battery life are fantastic. Some of the things that I do not like are the ability to install the battery in more than one way resulting in it being stuck, and the battery door locking knob that can easily open accidentally.
The windscreen for the mic is also useless since it easily falls off.
Overall, this is a great system with great range and audio quality, and IMHO it is likely to provide years of good service.
What I like about the Saramonic WiTalk9 Series – WT6S
- The sleek design
- The battery life
- The audio quality
- The transmission range
- The features
- Very comfortable to wear for long periods
- Fits well
What needs to be improved?
- The battery should only be able to be inserted in one direction
- The battery compartment lock is relatively bulky and can accidentally unlock
Final thoughts
The Saramonic WiTalk9 Series – WT6S is a nice headset/mic system that provides great audio quality and range, they feel well-built even if they are a bit bulky. The features are nice and the team likes them.
Price: $1099.00
Where to buy: Saramonic and Aliexpress
Source: Saramonic provided a free sample for this review. Saramonic did not have a final say on the review and did not preview it before it was published.