With nearly 80 percent (79.4) of retailers participating in this month’s survey reporting that sales of wireless mics are either up or level when compared to this time last year, it’d be fair to say this is a robust market segment for MI. Moreover, slightly more (81.8 percent) note that intermediate – not low-end – units are what’s selling the most, which means that these wireless wonders are not only selling, but there are profits to be had.
It’s a growing area for many and, as Karl Markl of St. Louis’ South County Vintage Instruments notes: “I am selling more wireless [mics] than cable.”
Compared to this time in 2015, sales of wireless microphones for your store are:
One trend that was reported by many was the popularity of wireless systems with churches, in particular, though schools were also observed to be keen users of the technology. There were also some fairly unexpected trends shared by a few, such as Gwendolyn Zupans’ of Steph Musik in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada assessment that these mics are most commonly used for “Karaoke and gourmet food cooking events.”
I didn’t realize there were all that many gourmet cooking events. Fair enough.
Can you describe the typical customer who purchases wireless microphones at your store (age, ability level, intended application, et cetera)?
“Mostly used in churches and businesses.”
Wesley Edwards
Draisen Edwards Music
Anderson, South Carolina
“Small to medium banes and churches.”
Ronnie Orme
Rock Hard Music
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
United Kingdom
“Most are 16-18 [years old] then skip to 40-50. The 16-18 year olds are buying the VocoPro. The 40 – 50 year olds are buying Shure, Sennheiser, some Behringer and some VocoPro.”
Karl Markl
South County Vintage Instruments
St. Louis, Missouri
“Church members of all ages, [with] zero to medium ability.”
Renn Little
Sound Entertainment Services
Stantonburg, North Carolina
“No typical customers. All over the spectrum.”
Reese Marin
Bellevue American Music
Bellevue, Washington
What larger trends have you been noticing in the wireless mic market?
“More and more lower cost microphones and I’m not sure that this is a good thing for our customers and for the dealers.”
Mike Guillot
Mississippi Music, Inc.
Flowood, Mississippi
“More church business and less business from the gigging musician.”
Spidey Mulrooney
The Music Shop
Southington, Connecticut
“[The] consumer is using more wireless products together. 10 or 12 [units] are not unusual.”
William Knight
Showtime Music
Mt. Hope, West Virginia
“We see improved sales in the higher dollar market in wireless mics and also, our customers are becoming more knowledgeable.”
Dale Gerschutz
K and C Music
Smithville, Missouri
“Wireless was soft in the ‘Great Recession.’ We are starting to see more multi-systems sales again.”
Michael Kay
Ted Brown Music
Tacoma, Washington
“People tend to want to find the cheapest option. Once they have a negative experience with a fixed frequency system they start to realize it is worth it to invest a little more in a wireless system.”
Santino Rumore
Paragon Music Center
Tampa, Florida
“Simplicity is preferred over multi-functional, complex set-up.”
Leonard Wyeth
AcousticMusic.Org
Guilford, Connecticut
