If you’re working in live events, theatre, corporate or broadcast, you know the pain-points: headmics that are fragile, finicky to mount, vulnerable to sweat and most of all, visible. If that’s you, then Point Source Audio will be music to your ears (and hopefully one day, literally on your ears, too!).
We’re excited to welcome Point Source Audio to the Leisuretec portfolio – US manufacturers renowned for their specialist wearable microphone solutions engineered for optimal performance and ease of use across everything from demanding production environments in theatre & broadcast, to corporate speech presentations.
Their innovative range of lavalier, headset, earworn, and on-ear microphones tick all of the boxes that audio professionals are looking for - discreet mounting, quick & easy setup, IP protection against moisture, and compatibility with numerous wireless system brands - all whilst consistently delivering exceptional sound and reliability.
In this post, we’ll introduce the brand and walk you through their key features: what makes them stand out above the rest, and how their solutions make life easier for both performer and engineer.
7 Key Features That Set Point Source Apart
1. EMBRACE – The Patented On-Ear Lavalier
PSA's patented EMBRACE microphones are buildable and customisable miking solutions new to the industry, purpose-built for minimal visibility, consistent sound pickup and rapid deployment. Instead of the traditional earworn microphone with a long boom that is difficult to keep in place, EMBRACE deploys a short boom that hugs the side of the user's forehead and stays in place. Not only does this give you a more consistent audio pick up, but it also makes the mic almost invisible, perfect for applications like theatre, broadcast and TV. They’re also light and unobtrusive, which is more comfortable for the performer and allows for easier movement.
2. Dual Element Microphones
In sound, there are no second chances. Point Source offer dual-omnidirectional and omni/cardioid variants of their lavalier, headset and on-ear mics for those mission-critical applications that require a built-in backup channel of audio, or where you need to swtich and/or blend between two polar patterns to optimise your audio pickup. This can be particularly useful when you want lead talents in a performance to stand out above the rest, or if you have a challenging stage scenario and want to switch to cardioid to minimise unwanted noise and increase feedback rejection.
Despite there being two capsules instead of one, Point Source's dual-element mics are still very easy on the eye and from some angles, you wouldn't even notice the difference between a single element or their dual element. They are sonically matched to +/-0.5dB and have separate wirepaths in a convenient single cable, that splits into two body packs, taking up two channels on your mixer.
3. Unbreakable Boom – Designed to bend 360°
We’ve all been there. You’re in a rush and you’ve mic’d up your performer only to find out that there’s no audio signal. After a few stressful minutes and some quick-fire troubleshooting, you’ve narrowed it down to a broken connection in the boom arm. For headset mic users and audio engineers alike, the mechanical durability of a boom is critical, but for some reason, most boom arms are flimsy and easy to break.
PSA’s boom arms are designed to bend 360°, making them famously durable whilst being extremely malleable, meaning they are easy to manipulate into the right position and they hold their shape too.
4. Reversible Headframes
Have you ever tried to switch a headmic to the other side of its frame? You’ll know that it’s a very fiddly and arduous task - especially under the live time pressures of theatre, broadcast and corporate. PSA have a simple yet clever solution: reversible frames. Their frames simply flick up and down, allowing for quick adjustments for different performers, depending on whether you need to place the boom arm to the left or right side of their face.
This can be particularly useful for production companies in live events or corporate when they're miking up many different people in quick succession, or where you need to quickly put the speaker's face between the mic capsule and the main PA to maximise feedback rejection.
5. IP57 Waterproof Rating
IP57-rated for sweat, moisture, and dust protection, Point Source Audio’s omnidirectional microphones are built to thrive under the demanding conditions of stage and event use. Their durable, sealed construction keeps them performing flawlessly and reduces ongoing service and replacement costs, saving you money over time.
6. Paintable for Stage and Screen
Because they’re IP57 rated, Point Source can be safely painted with make-up or VFX substances, allowing seamless visual integration with skin tones, costumes or set design – ideal for theatre, film and corporate productions where visibility must be minimal.
7. Cleanable with Isopropyl 70%
Microphone hygiene is extremely important, but can also be quite time-consuming. Point Source’s capsules and booms are cleanable with 70% isopropyl alcohol, making them safe and easy to sanitise between uses. This is a great feature for rental fleets, theatres and any multi-user environment, as it offers quick and efficient cleaning of make-up and sweat, without causing damage to the microphone capsule.
Point Source Product Families
Point Source have four key product collections engineered for different purposes:
EMBRACE™
Discover Hidden Talents. EMBRACE is PSA’s twice-patented earmount microphone design that hugs the ear to give it tremendous staying power, regardless of head or body movement. Actors from theatre and TV alike welcome the comfort and ease of the touchable and pliable material, along with the ingenious concealable design with makes it almost invisible on set and on camera.
EMBRACE consists of two models: the EO-8WL Single Element Earmount and the EO2-8WL Dual Petite Element Earmount. Both models are available in beige, brown or black and come with interchangeable “X-Connectors”, PSA’s rapid and inexpensive method to change the mic termination to match your wireless brand’s bodypack. The EO-8WL single element is available in two sensitivity options: EO-8WL with low sensitivity for strong vocals on live stage, and the EO2-8WL with high sensitivity for speech applications in TV or studio broadcast.
Series 8™
Classic, but not Common. Series 8 looks more like your conventional headsets, lavalier and earset mics, but deliver a feature set rarely found in miniature microphones. You get unbreakable booms, reversible headset frames, and cleanable with 70% isopropyl alcohol. They are all a super low profile (merely 3 or 4mm in diameter) and are available in omnidirectional (CO-8) and cardioid (CR-8) – omni being IP-57 rated so protected against sweat & moisture, and the cardioid for greater feedback control.
Both models are available in headset, lavalier and earset form in beige, brown or black.
CO2™ Confidence Microphones
Double Down with Confidence. CO2 Confidence is a collection of dual-element microphones available in headset, lavalier or earmount. Built-in redundancy isn’t just smart… It’s now stylish too! These elements are IP-57 waterproof, sonically matched at +/-0.5dB, and have separate wire paths in a convenient single cable that splits to two body packs. They are only 3mm in size, too, so although you’re getting two elements in one, they’re still extremely discreet.
In this family, you have the EO2-8WL Earmount, the CO2-8WD Headset and the CO2-8WLp Lavalier.
Series 9™
Take Your Audio Up a Notch. With a feature set above the rest, Series 9 are the first-of-its-kind subminiature microphones that deliver max sound pressure levels (SPL), high sensitivity and high durability – all in one package. Available in beige, brown or black, Series 9 unlocks all of the key features that sets PSA apart: unbreakable boom arms designed to bend 360°, IP57 waterproofing, reversible headmics, 70% isopropyl alcohol cleanable and ENDURE™ connectors. They have two matched elements for redundancy, featuring an impressive 143 max SPL and -39dB sensitivity.
An additional feature of Series 9 is that their added durability thanks to PSA's patented ENDURE™ connectors - tested to withstand 12,000 bends. These are available in Lemo-Style (Sennheiser SK, Lectrosonics and Shure Axient Wireless) and TA4F for Shure Wireless Packs.
To Conclude
Point Source Audio offers discreet yet durable subminiature microphone solutions that eliminate the fragility, visibility and mounting headaches for audio professionals in live events, theatre and broadcast.
We’re proud to be distributing Point Source Audio in the UK. If you're looking to add durability and versatility to your wearable microphone inventory, browse their products here or call our experts on 01525 850085 to discuss your pro audio requirements.
