The LD Systems U508 IEM wireless in-ear monitoring system represents a further development of the company’s best-selling MEI 1000 G2 system. Comprising a stationary transmitter and a pocket receiver, it allows wireless transmissions to be made over distances of up to 100 metres, and the system comes at a budget-friendly price. It delivers a good price-performance ratio by combining affordability with professional features such as infrared synchronisation and adjustable noise limiting (squelch), and the transmitter is of course equipped with balanced XLR/jack combo sockets. In addition to the bright OLED displays on both the body pack and the receiver, another attractive feature is that the bundle also includes a rack kit and transport case – accessories that are unusual for wireless systems at the “budget” price point.
The LD Systems U508 IEM operates in an audio range of 40 Hz to 16 kHz and thus covers all relevant frequencies for speech and vocals as well as for instruments, with the exception of the extreme low end of the bass spectrum. The monitoring sound can be adapted using the integrated equaliser, and the set boasts additional features that make it both practical and convenient to use: The transmitter’s front-mounted headphone output has a volume control and features a high-pass filter, allowing the audio signal to be heard without invasive “rumbling” from the bass frequencies, and of course the pocket receiver’s headphone output also features a dedicated volume control. The body pack’s antenna is screw-mounted and can be removed for greater ease of transport, and its frequency selection and mute buttons are protected by a cover that features an easy-to-open sliding mechanism.
Because the LD Systems U508 IEM transmits in the ranges of 823 to 832 and 863 to 865 MHz, it can be operated without registration or additional fees, making it particularly interesting for amateurs and semi-pros looking for a wireless system that does not generate any additional costs beyond the initial purchase price. A pre-configured set of 96 channels with assigned frequencies make setups quick and easy, but manual frequency selection is also possible when necessary. If several of these wireless transmission paths are required at the same time, they can also be assigned individual names, which makes this system ideal not only for speakers and presenters but also for bands and for round table discussions and interviews where ease of operation and affordable purchase costs are a priority.
LD Systems originated in Germany and is a brand of the Adam Hall Group. The company’s ambition is to give musicians the freedom they need to effectively express their musical ideas on stage. To achieve this, LD Systems has developed products that include affordable speaker series, wireless microphones, and in-ear monitoring systems. LD Systems attaches great importance to the durability and user-friendliness of its products. Right from the development stage, attention is paid to simple, intuitive, and effective operability. LD Systems also pays great attention to the design of its equipment, so that the technology is not only acoustically but also visually attractive. Accordingly, LD Systems has already been awarded several renowned design prizes.
With a range that can even exceed 100 metres, the LD Systems U508 IEM is ideal as a wireless monitoring set for musicians and presenters working in small-sized halls and at large events. Because the pocket receiver has up to ten hours of battery life, it can be used both for events that fill the entire evening and for successive short performances without having to replace or recharge the batteries each time. Bands who regularly play at different locations and run multiple wireless systems simultaneously will also benefit from this system’s features: For instance, the transmitter and receiver can be synchronised via infrared connection at the touch of a button. And since up to 12 of these wireless systems can be operated at once, this feature can be enormously helpful.