I am reviewing this from Canada. First time buyer from Thomann. First time buyer of any Proel product as well.
1. Cost: 125 € (after subtracting VAT) + 40 € UPS shipping + 25 € import tax and brokerage. All in still > CDN$ 100 cheaper than buying from Canada (not even counting cost of local shipping).
So essentially, this product is selling in Europe at less than 50% the price it is in Canada. Not sure how that came to be. If I could take off a star for price "gouging" in Canada, I would.
2. With respect to handling and delivery from Thomann, there is nothing to complain about as a 1st-time buyer. Thomann answered my product inquiry promptly through email. The answer was pertinent and professional. Shipping cost was substantial but not unreasonable. Cross-border duty was of course expected.
3. IMO, the most important highlight anyone needs to know is that this product, U24B, has a greater gain than Samson XPD2, despite otherwise similar design and occupation of the same RF spectrum.
4. The transmitter accepts other Shure-TA4F terminated microphones just fine. I currently use a Samson DE60x with the system.
Below are the nitty-gritties:
The Samson does have a 3.5mm sidetone/monitoring output on its RXD2 USB receiver, while the Proel does not on its WM24B receiver. However, for me the make-or-break difference is in the Proel's higher maximum gain.
I purchased this package for dual purposes of Dragon medical dictation and Zoom/Teams/Skype types of VoIP. Listening can be achieved with a million other ways. So I only care about mic operation.
Given that the gain on the USB receiver is fixed to the user, gain screw on the transmitter is the only place where it can be user-adjusted for the entire system. For my quiet voice, to ensure the lack of voice straining over many hours of use per day - for video patient appointments and dictation, I have to set the gain to its max on both U24B and PXD2.
By using the same DE60x headset mic with T4AF termination on the Proel, and swapping with TA3F termination on the Samson, and comparing results, I satisfactorily demonstrated to myself that the Proel U24B has higher gain.
Moreover, for the Samson PXD2, the included micro headset (DE5) does not meet the bar for Dragon dictation, at least not with my quiet voice and at my preferred speaking volume - despite setting gain to the max.
The Eikon HCM38 headset mic that comes bundled with U24B passes my Dragon dictation test with flying colours. It sounds quite clear also on Windows Voice Recorder. I am guessing that's on account of a bigger capsule.
But the Sennheiser ME-3 style of the Eikon HCM38 is just not endearing from both wearing comfort and aesthetic points of view, considering my intended usage for video appointments.
Therefore, after searching long and hard, I have so far settled on the Samson DE60x headset mic, with swappable terminations. I would've liked to try either the Eikon HCM10V2 or the HCM14EK. But neither is readily available in North America. Thomann doesn't even sell them.
At the end of the day, the Proel U24B has met my needs. The Samson PXD2, however, is going back.
