Hollyland has unveiled a new clip-on wireless lapel microphone at CES, the LARK M2S. It’s an intriguing device for a couple of reasons and I’ve just ordered the combo package on Amazon – it will be here tomorrow. So review video soon. In the meantime, check out Hollyland’s video above.
KEY POINTS
- Tiny – 7 grams
- Discreet – no logo, clip-on design
- 9 hours of working time per transmitter/receiver (noise cancellation off)
What really excites me about these microphones is the tiny size and discreet design. The clip design is far superior to the magnetic option.
Firstly, you don’t have to worry about losing your magnetic back or even storing it. It’s a massive pain point for me with DJI mics in particular. The larger part of the transmitter sits on the inside of the lapel or piece of clothing, leaving a tiny microphone for voice pick up on the outside.
This looks neat and tidy and it doesn’t have branding facing the camera. I really, really hate microphone branding – Rode is the worst in this area.
The LARK M2S records 24-bit audio with a 70dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 116dB. The samples I’ve heard are very good, even some of the Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) technology, isn’t bad either. I think if you’re going live from a noisy location – this is a good feature but if you’ve got time to edit in post, I would avoid using ENC.
Hollyland claims an operating range of 300m in open setting. Usually this is while facing the receiver. The company also claims its RF interference-resistant circuit gives cleaner and stable transmissions in signal-dense environments like office buildings, event venues, and city streets.
The LARK M2S combo version features analog (3.5mm) and digital (USB-C) outputs, ensuring compatibility with a wide array of devices.
You should get 9 hours of working time per transmitter/receiver (noise cancellation off) with a 1.5-hour recharge. The charging case adds 2.5 full charges, delivering up to 30 hours of total battery life (Lark M2 Mobile Version 27H).
Of course, this does not record on-device and it is priced as such.
Pricing and Availability
The LARK M2S is priced starting from USD$119 and up – the combo kit cost me A$265.
