Sennheiser announced the availability of the EW-DX EM 4 Dante receiver, which completes the company’s Evolution Wireless Digital EW-DX microphone line. The network-ready, four-channel receiver (19”, 1U) is an option for anybody specifying or setting up large multichannel systems in live audio, touring, broadcasting, theater and system integration applications. The receiver integrates into existing workflows and infrastructures, and offers connectivity via Dante (including AES 67 support) for audio over IP, balanced XLR-3 audio outputs and unbalanced ¼” jacks.

As the systems emit no intermodulation products, frequencies can simply be placed at 600 kHz intervals, or 300 kHz intervals in Link Density (LD) Mode, making the job of the frequency manager a lot easier. The switching bandwidth of 88 MHz leaves plenty of room to maneuver in a congested spectrum and will, under ideal conditions, accommodate up to 146 channels in standard mode (600 kHz spacing) or up to 293 channels in LD Mode (300 kHz spacing).

Up to four EW-DX EM 4 (up to 16 channels) can be daisy-chained directly without the need for any additional devices, as the receiver is fitted with an integrated antenna splitter with antenna power and signal loop-through.

For network-based systems, the receiver’s four network ports allow for flexible configuration modes, and the ports are configured accordingly: Control & Dante Primary combined (Single Cable Mode), Control and Dante Primary separate (Split Mode), Control, Dante Primary, and Dante Secondary separate (Redundancy Mode). Ethernet connectivity is IPv4.

Once the receivers have been set up, a quick frequency scan can be initiated via one EW-DX EM 4 Dante. The receiver will auto-deploy free frequencies across all connected receivers, including EW-DX EM 2 and EW-DX EM 2 Dante receivers, saving time and effort. Custom frequency lists can be loaded into the receiver, too.

Transmitters are sync’ed via BLE from a distance of up to 20 metres — Sennheiser says the operator does not have to crouch in front of the rack to link receivers and transmitters. Parameters to be sync’ed can be determined via the receiver menu. The EW-DX receiver also gives you the option to perform a walk test to check signal integrity across the stage or performance area.