About the Frost & Sullivan Analyst Gauntlet
Frost & Sullivan’s Analyst Gauntlet is a structured program wherein participating vendors and service providers give industry analysts deep dives and demonstrations of their collaboration solutions. The analysts then use the collaboration solution for a set time period and provide candid feedback based on their experiences with the specified tool.
Introducing Shure Microflex® Wireless neXt 2 Wireless Microphone System
This month, the Frost & Sullivan research team evaluated the new Shure Microflex Wireless neXt 2 Wireless Microphone System (MXW neXt 2). Introduced in January 2024 and available now, MXW neXt 2 expands the Shure Microflex Ecosystem with a new, versatile, two-channel wireless system that supports two wireless microphones at a range of 150 feet (50 meters) and is designed for efficient deployment in meeting and training rooms, classrooms, and other collaboration spaces. MXW neXt 2 is platformed on an all-in-one base station that incorporates onboard Shure IntelliMix® digital signal processing (DSP), two microphone charger ports, and selection of audio input / output interfaces including networked Dante, USB, and analog connectivity.
MXW neXt 2 is designed for fast, intuitive connection to video conferencing software, Shure and third-party audio-video devices to address hybrid meetings that require audio capture of in-room participants, sound reinforcement of presenters, and far-end audio from remote presenters in live settings or recordings.
The system supports any two actively linked wireless microphones from a portfolio of Shure Microflex Wireless Ecosystem transmitters, including:
- MXW1X bodypack transmitter with an input jack for a selection of Shure lavaliers or head-worn microphones.
- MXW2X handheld transmitter with one of four different capsules, or heads, in cardioid (unidirectional), super cardioid, or omnidirectional versions.
- MXW6X boundary transmitter available in cardioid and omnidirectional versions.
All microphone batteries can be charged in the system’s MXWAPXD2 base station or via USB-C cable. MXW neXt 2 is certified for both Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms. Google Meet certification is expected in the near term. The list price for an MXW neXt 2 MXWAPXD2 base station is $1,300. Potential future bundles may include the base station and two microphones for $2,500 and up, depending on microphone models.
Solution Evaluated
The MXW neXt 2 solution that the research team evaluated comprises:
MXWAPXD2 access point transceiver (base station)
Windows 10 PC (bring your own device provided by end users)
MXW2X/SM58 handheld microphone
MXW1X hybrid bodypack microphone with WL185 lavalier
MXW6X boundary microphone
We evaluated the MXW neXt 2 system installed in a 16-foot by 30-foot multi-purpose collaboration room. The room configuration is a front-of-room use case, with industry-standard cameras and displays from Shure partners at the front of the room, an MXW neXt 2 system on the room table, and a Shure Microflex Advance MXA902 ceiling array microphone + loudspeaker. We used a bring your own device (BYOD) Windows PC with video conferencing software installed to meet with participants in a similarly configured far-end room. Both rooms tested all three MXW neXt 2 microphone types (handheld, bodypack, and boundary) as well as integration with the MXA902 array via the MXWAPXD2’s Dante input/output port.
The MXW neXt 2 system can operate as a plug-and-play solution out of the box due to its automatic wireless spectrum scan and RF interference avoidance capabilities. To optimize audio inputs and outputs, the Shure MXW neXt control software can be accessed on the MXWAPXD2 device from a connected computer.
Highlighted components of our evaluation included:
Administrator Experience Analysis
The solution we evaluated is positioned to deliver the flexibility, performance, and control that end-user organizations are looking for in wireless microphone systems in mid-to-large collaboration spaces across various use cases. MXW neXt 2 delivers on those sought-after benefits. The all-in-one architecture of the MXWAPXD2 access point transceiver—with its onboard DSP, automatic spectrum scan, and interference avoidance at start-up, coverage range, transceiver, and more— simplifies things for administrators. It is easily deployed, even without using the MXW neXt control software. Intuitive interfaces on the base station facilitate quick connection to computers with installed video conference software, Shure Microflex Advance ceiling array microphones and speakers, third-party AV peripherals, and simple USB-C connection to AC power. Using the MXW neXt control software allows administrators to locally or remotely name, monitor, and manage multiple MXW neXt 2 systems, including assigning base stations to rooms and wireless microphones to specific presenters.
The MXWAPXD2 base unit conveniently pairs with three different microphone form factors (handheld, bodypack, and boundary), which reduces user training requirements and increases the scope of addressable use cases and user preferences. The ease of deployment and flexibility position MXW neXt 2 well for both ad-hoc and long-term needs with its ability to support spaces such as meeting rooms and classrooms throughout a campus for one-time events or permanently in spaces that require its use regularly.
Certification with Microsoft Teams, and Zoom conferencing platforms, helps to ensure that organizations investing in MXW neXt 2 can expect consistent high performance and reliability.
User Experience Analysis
Our test setup was representative of many shared collaboration spaces. Users connect the MXWAPXD2 base station to their BYOD computers via USB cable, the same as they typically do with other AV peripherals (microphones, speakers, and cameras).
The intuitive and minimal, yet comprehensive, controls and indicators on the MXWAPXD2 base station front panel offer an easy-to-use system. Users link their selected wireless microphone with the touch of a button, and within seconds are notified by an LED status indicator of their success (or failure). Similarly, battery charge status is easily determined from indicators on the base station and wireless microphone units. Although only two Microflex wireless microphones can be linked at one time, an unlimited number can be assigned to users. Instructors that share the same classroom or training room, or multiples of users who present consecutively in the same space, can easily and quickly link their microphones prior to presenting. Presenters that use different spaces with MWX neXt 2 installed can quickly link or charge microphones in any of those spaces.
Another feature we found helpful is the easy access to mute controls on the base station and wireless transmitter microphones. We did note, however, that administrators and users must ensure they are in Conference mode when using video conferencing to enable mute sync across microphones and Microsoft Teams software. This function is not supported in Presentation or Direct modes, creating opportunities for an important capability to be unavailable when needed.
The wireless microphones enable presenters to move anywhere within 150 feet (50 meters) from the base station, which supports multiple use cases and presentation styles. When a presenter reaches the end of wireless coverage, the RF Out of Coverage Range LED indicators on the base station and microphone flash red to alert them.
In addition to being user-friendly, the MXW neXt 2 system is exceptional at audio capture and reinforcement for both in-room and remote participants in Conference mode, as noted in our tests across two equipped rooms. Audio was effectively captured as we moved throughout our room with no degradation for far-end participants. The same was true for the audio delivered to our room as far-end participants moved throughout their room.
From a user perspective, the MXW neXt 2 stands out for its ability to harness complex technology to deliver the simplicity, flexibility, and performance that presenters must have to be effective for their entire audience, no matter where participants are located.
Conclusion
The Shure Microflex® Wireless neXt 2 Wireless Microphone System has successfully navigated the Frost & Sullivan Analyst Gauntlet. The system packs sophisticated technology into a solution that delivers the performance, flexibility and ease of use and administration that most IT decision-makers aspire to leverage when addressing the equity and reliability challenges of hybrid presentations, trainings, and meetings. The ability to mix and match from a catalog of microphones and quickly deploy the system at high density, if needed, enables buyers to address a broad spectrum of use cases, spaces, presenter preferences, and presenter styles. The new wireless microphone system integrates with a variety of Shure Microflex Ecosystem and third-party AV products as well as supports leading video conferencing software, all of which enables organizations to easily enhance the value and flexibility of those other investments by deploying MXW neXt 2.
