Sound Devices has introduced its new A20-HH digital wireless handheld microphone. The A20-HH is claimed to combine the best audio and RF performance in the industry and make customization far easier than ever before.
The A20-HH handheld microphone features Sound Devices Astral functionality, such as a 470-1525MHz global tuning range, and the sound quality Sound Devices products are known for.
One of the standout features of the A20-HH handheld microphone is its customization. That starts with its reversible A20-HH CD1 Capsule Collar, which accepts multiple manufacturers’ capsules that utilize Shure or Sennheiser thread, as well as Sound Devices’ own CD1 Cardioid Capsule, the world’s first fully calibrated, dynamic vocal microphone with a patented dual-engine design.
With the A20-HH Capsule Collar, changing capsules is as simple as removing three screws and flipping the collar over. The A20-HH Control Ring is just as easy to swap out and gives the user optional external controls – one or three buttons or a slide switch – while the base unit has no controls on the outside to prevent accidental button pushes.
To truly customize a microphone, you need to be able to match its design to a costume. Instead of having to prep a mic and then sending an expensive microphone out to be painted, risking damage or loss of the mic in shipping or during the painting process, you can just slide off the body shell from the A20-HH and have it painted, decorated, or covered in jewels.
There is also no need to keep multiple A20-HH microphones in stock for an international tour, thanks to the global SpectraBand tuning range of 470-1525MHz, which allows the A20-HH microphone to be used worldwide. In addition, it uses the Sound Devices Astral family’s NexLink ultra-long-range remote control and GainForward architecture that allows users to control gain and trim at the front of house trim instead of on the microphone. It also includes an e-Paper display that shows mic and battery status, even in full sunlight and while powered down.
One of the most unique features of the A20-HH microphone is the patented wideband RocketAntenna design. One of the problems other wireless mics suffer from is that they lose signal if the talent grabs the mic around the antenna at the base of the mic. However, Sound Devices’ patent-pending antenna design isn’t affected by that, so talent can grip the mic anywhere without the attenuation inherent in other designs.
The A20-HH handheld microphone’s durable structure is designed for the rigors of daily use. It is water resistant, can survive many drops, and is powered by a standard XL-B18650 lithium-ion battery that can run more than 10 hours when the microphone is set at 10mW output.
Price & Availability
The A20-HH handheld microphone will retail for $2,396 USD and it should start shipping in 6-8 weeks.
