MAONO WM821 — a compact two-channel wireless system for video bloggers
Grigory Liadov
Maono is an Asian manufacturer with its own high-tech production and development department. Founded in 2014, it focuses mainly on microphones and accessories. Maono products are not yet widely available in Russia, but the brand is well known in Asia and North America.
Maono offers a wide microphone range, from conventional XLR condenser models to USB microphones with dynamic and electret capsules. The manufacturer also has compact wireless systems for cameras and mobile devices. Today we will look at one of these, the MAONO WM821.
The MAONO WM wireless series is for video bloggers who need affordable compact systems for good voice recording with a camera or smartphone. The WM821 under review is the flagship, with the most advanced specifications and the fullest accessory package.
The WM821 package contains a two-channel receiver, two transmitters, two windscreens, two lavalier microphones, a fabric pouch, connection cables, and a charging case.
MAONO WM821 specifications
| Operating frequency range | 2.4 GHz | Built-in microphone frequency response | 80 Hz–16 kHz | Lavalier microphone frequency response | 50 Hz–18 kHz | Built-in microphone polar pattern | Omnidirectional | Line output | -10dBu | Headphone output | 3.2dBu | Maximum SPL | 105 dB | THD+N | 0.009% | Signal-to-noise ratio | 75 dB | Receiver connection | Mini-jack | Battery capacity | 350 mAh/3.7 V and 2500 mAh/3.7 V | Operating time | Up to 20 hours | Charging dock connection | USB TYPE-C,5V |
MAONO wireless systems transmit digitally at 2.4 GHz. Their main features are ease of use and compact size. Both the transmitters and receiver are small.
The photo clearly shows the devices' small dimensions.
MAONO's designers deserve credit: the system looks modern and attractive. The transmitter looks natural on camera rather than awkward.
The MAONO system is extremely easy to use. Even someone with no experience of wireless systems or audio recording can operate it. There are almost no settings. The only adjustable parameter is channel volume, with 6 fixed levels cycled by one button.
The receiver's small display shows system status: connected transmitters, their volume and input levels, and the receiver's remaining battery charge. Display brightness cannot be adjusted. It is sufficient in low light, but difficult to read on a bright sunny day. To be fair, a camera display faces the same problem.
Three receiver buttons control the available modes. A and B adjust the corresponding channel volumes. Holding them starts pairing. The power button switches the receiver off and changes the line output from two-channel to mono mode when only one transmitter is used.
The rear clip is the right width for a camera shoe, allowing direct mounting. Normally, the receiver's display and sockets face the operator. Our camera also allows mounting with the sockets forward, as shown in the photo. Either way, the supplied audio cable has a right-angle plug that makes connection convenient in any orientation.
The receiver also has a headphone output for monitoring the microphone signals being recorded. Unfortunately, its volume cannot be adjusted. In noisy conditions, especially on a busy street, it may not be loud enough.
Unlike the receiver, the transmitter has no display. Top-panel indicators show operating status and selected modes. The antenna symbol indicates connection to the receiver or loss of that connection. The middle indicator lights when the low-cut filter is enabled. The battery indicator lights when the built-in battery falls below 20%.
Three buttons control the transmitter. A short press of the power button mutes its microphone, changing the antenna indicator from blue to red. Holding the middle button pairs the transmitter with the receiver. The remaining button enables the low-cut filter to reduce boominess or low-frequency background noise.
A rear clip attaches the transmitter to clothing. It has a stiff spring, teeth, and a rubber contact pad. These hold the unit securely even on thin clothing.
The transmitter has a built-in microphone. Using that microphone is often more convenient than a wired lavalier, especially when recording quality is comparable, as it is here.
A fur windscreen is included for successful outdoor use in windy weather.
The windscreen locks directly onto the transmitter housing and is quickly removed. Along with the fur, a small foam layer provides extra breath protection.
Two lavalier microphones are supplied with clothing clips and foam windscreens. Each metal clip holds the microphone in a spring ring, allowing its direction to be changed. The cable is about a meter long, enough for comfortable use. The housing shape suggests a cardioid pattern. The available specifications give only a frequency range of 50 Hz–18 kHz.
The receiver and transmitters have built-in rechargeable batteries, allowing up to 20 hours of use without charging. Only the WM821 uses batteries with this capacity in the series. Other models have slightly shorter operating times
A special case stores and charges all three modules at once. It connects to an ordinary 5 V mobile-device adapter. A four-stage indicator shows the case's battery charge.
Magnetic charging contacts are on the bottoms of the receiver and transmitters. Simply put the modules in the case and connect the adapter, much like wireless earbuds.
We tested the MAONO WM821 in the field, recording into a camera with both the built-in transmitter microphone and the lavalier, indoors and outdoors. Overall results were very good. Recording quality was good, and the built-in microphone matched the lavalier well. In noisy conditions, the lavalier is preferable because its more directional pickup rejects some background noise. Otherwise, the built-in microphone is enough. Low-cut use depends on the situation. We did not need it in our test conditions.
The MAONO WM821 has low latency. The manufacturer states 20 ms, which is normal for an affordable system. The claimed 100-meter range is real. Outdoors, our system worked even beyond 100 meters, although this required line of sight and no movement. Up to about 70 meters, it operated very reliably without audio dropouts or signal loss.
Conclusions
The MAONO WM821 is an interesting system. Its attractive appearance and extensive accessory package stand out, including the case that conveniently charges all modules together. Long battery life and operating range are also impressive. We experienced no failures or problems during use. The supplied microphones offer good quality, sufficient for professional work.
Note. This is an adapted machine translation into English. It follows the “In simple terms” approach. Read the original article at https://prosound.ixbt.com/microphones/maono-wm821.shtml.