From the article comments and forum posts, there seem to be a few things I need to clear up -

 

First, this article was in no way intended to be a battle between microphone models, but I think we can agree that the Sennheiser 'G' came out the winner, though most said that the differences between the mics were not as big as they had expected and that all the tested microphones sounded pretty good.

 

There seemed to be an impression that I am advocating buying "cheap microphones". And some said that my article was "based on assumptions".

 

"Assumptions"?  Yes.  I am assuming that most wedding videographers may not be able to afford a half dozen $700 wireless sets ($4,200).  Does anyone really want to challenge that assumption?  I think not.

 

Do you question the number I am posing - "half dozen wireless sets"?  If so, let's take a look at an average wedding with the following audio sources -

 

Officiant

Groom & bride

Father of the bride

Scripture reader

Instrument player

Soloist

"Canned music"

 

Now, I count a need for six wireless sets and one recorder for the canned music.

 

Sure, you can cut corners and hope the groom's mic will adequately pick up the fob.  I'd rather not cut that corner.

 

You can cut another corner and use a single mic for the soloist and piano/guitar/whatever intsrument. I've seen too many times when this has been done and the instrument drowns out the soloist or vice-versa. Or worse - one clips. I'd rather have separate tracks and control over each, during miking and during post.

 

Sure, many weddings don't have singers, instruments or readers, but it is generally the larger, more elaborate weddings where they hire us, so you need to have the proper gear to be prepared for these weddings.

 

This brings me to my point - it is better to have a half dozen Azdens for such a wedding than only three Sennheisers.  Your overall sound quality will be much better with having a close-up microphone for each sound source than having a better quality mic that is further away from the source.

 

If you can buy six Sennheisers, more power to you!  If not, then go with Azdens to whatever degree your budget demands.  That is the point of this article. 

 

Thanks to everyone for your comments and opinions, please keep them coming!  This would be a very boring site if we all agreed.  I'm happy that many people email me to tell me how much they've learned and how much they enjoy this site, but I am but a small part of that learning source.  Our many knowlegable contributors have provided most of the info and I've learned a lot from you - sometimes you've even changed my opinion.  But I will not likely be swayed from my core belief that having a cheaper mic for each sound source is better than having fewer, better mics at a further distance.