The BlitzWolf BW-SX31 wireless microphone is an affordable tool for content creators.
Introductory
With the explosive growth of video content creation, the demand for affordable, yet high-quality audio recording devices is increasing. BlitzWolf's latest microphone is aimed at exactly this market niche.
With the rise of social media and the continued advancement of smartphone cameras, almost anyone can make professional-looking videos today. However, in addition to the image, the quality of the sound is at least as important for the production of demanding content. Unfortunately, the built-in microphones often cannot provide the quality that would be expected from a more serious production.
Wireless clip-on (also known as lavalier) microphones have been a staple of broadcasting for decades. With the development of technology, these devices became more and more compact and user-friendly, while the goods remained in the professional category for a long time. However, affordable alternatives have also appeared in recent years.
The BlitzWolf brand is primarily known for its quality but affordable accessories. After chargers, cables and other peripherals, it is now trying its luck in a new product category, the wireless microphone market, with the BW-SX31 model.
In the low HUF 8-9 price category, it is rare to find a product that provides truly usable quality. However, the BlitzWolf BW-SX31 has promising specifications: it features a 2.4 GHz wireless connection, multiple connection options and up to 8 hours of operating time.
The microphone can be useful primarily for vloggers, interviewers, speakers and for educational purposes. The unique feature of the device is that it is available in both single-microphone and dual-microphone versions, the latter being particularly practical in interview situations or when a backup microphone may be needed.
Similar products on the market are usually much more expensive, often starting in the HUF 20-30 thousand category. The BlitzWolf BW-SX31 may therefore be of particular interest to those who are just starting to get to know video content creation, or are simply looking for a reliable but cost-effective solution for better sound quality.
Appearance and controls
The BlitzWolf BW-SX31 is a compact wireless microphone system consisting of two main units: the clip-on microphone and the receiver. The entire system is housed in a plastic housing, which, although it creates a simple and knocking effect, represents the usual quality in the category.
The special feature of the receiver is the double connector design: there is a USB-C connector on one end and a Lightning connector on the other end, so it is compatible with almost all modern devices. Additional universality is provided by the 3,5 mm jack connector, which also enables connection to traditional audio devices. There are two white LEDs on the receiver that indicate the number of currently active microphones.
The microphone unit is also covered in plastic and can be clipped onto a collar or clothing. The microphone has a volume control with which the sensitivity can be adjusted. The power button is not only for switching on and off: you can switch between the different operating modes, which are normal, noise reduction and echo modes, by pressing it briefly.
The special feature of the USB-C charging cable included in the package is that it has a double head, so two devices can be charged with it at the same time. This is especially useful for the dual-microphone version, where both microphones need to be charged regularly.
The manufacturer also includes a small storage bag with the kit, which protects the devices during transport. The package also includes a 3,5 mm audio cable, which provides additional connection options.
Both the microphone units and the receiver have jacks that allow direct monitoring with headphones. This can be a useful function, for example, during interviewing or live recording, when you need to check the sound quality immediately.
The entire system is compact and portable, but the manufacturer does not provide exact dimensions and weight data. Thanks to the practical design, the system can be easily transported and quickly put into operation, which can be an important aspect for mobile content creators.
Technical data and specifications
The BlitzWolf BW-SX31 is a wireless microphone system operating in the 2,4 GHz frequency range, which can provide a range of up to 10-25 meters depending on environmental conditions. This may be sufficient even for movement in a lecture hall, although the reliability of the connection may decrease at longer distances.
The sensitivity of the microphone is -42 dB, its directional characteristic is spherical (omnidirectional), which means that it perceives sounds equally from all directions. The frequency response ranges from 50 Hz to 18 kHz, which covers the entire range of human speech. The signal-to-noise ratio is more than 64 dB, which ensures sound recording with adequate clarity.
The energy supply is provided by a built-in battery in both units. The microphone unit has a battery with a capacity of 200 mAh, which, according to the manufacturer, enables 6-8 hours of continuous operation. A full charge takes about 2 hours via USB-C. Standby time can be up to 10 hours.
The system offers three different recording modes: original sound mode, noise reduction mode and echo mode. The noise reduction uses DSP (digital signal processing) technology, although according to practical experience, its effectiveness may vary.
The receiver supports HSP, HFP, A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles, which ensures wide compatibility with various devices. The connection is universal: USB-C, Lightning and 3,5 mm jack connectors are available.
The system is paired automatically, when switched on, the microphones and the receiver recognize each other immediately. This makes it much easier to use, as it does not require a complicated setup process. At the same time, it is worth noting that interference problems may occur if several systems of the same type are used in the same airspace.
The product is available in two versions: the single-microphone version and the two-microphone version. Both versions include the basic accessories: receiver, charging cable, 3,5mm audio cable and a storage bag. The two-microphone version can be particularly practical, as the second microphone can be used as a backup or when conducting paired interviews.
Experiences
I tested the BlitzWolf BW-SX31 in a variety of environments to get a real picture of the microphone's performance. During the testing, I tried the system with iPhone, PC and various recording devices, so I got a comprehensive picture of its usability.
The first thing that stood out was that connecting the microphone was really trouble-free. It worked immediately with my iPhone, I was able to use it with the Voice Memo app without any special settings. Pairing was done automatically, no extra steps had to be taken.
I tested the sound quality from several distances. When clipped to the collar, i.e. in the recommended mode of use, the microphone recorded particularly high-quality sound. However, when I moved more than half a meter away from the microphone, the sensitivity decreased significantly. This means that the microphone must be placed close to the speaker for good sound quality.
I also tried different modes. In normal mode, the recording quality was stable and reliable. However, the noise reduction mode had mixed results - although it worked, there was no significant difference compared to the original sound. In fact, sometimes he made the situation worse by muting the end of softly finished sentences. The echo mode, on the other hand, worked surprisingly well.
I also experimented with music recordings. Even at high volumes, the microphone did not distort significantly, although the sound was muffled than the original source. However, this is not surprising in this price category, and is a common phenomenon for microphones optimized for recording speech.
The battery life in practice fell short of the factory promise. Instead of the 6-8 hours promised by the manufacturer, I experienced an operating time of 3-4 hours. This is not such a problem with the two-microphone version, since one microphone can be used while the other is charging.
Range testing yielded a positive result. In an average-sized auditorium, the connection worked stably, which corresponds to the promised range of 10-25 meters. However, at greater distances or in the case of more physical obstacles, some signal weakening was already experienced.
It was an interesting experience that sometimes distant listeners reported high-frequency background noise, which disappeared when switching to a different microphone. This was not a constant phenomenon, but it is worth paying attention to during use.
Some compromises had to be made in the physical design. The plastic buttons click loudly, which can be annoying during recording, so it is advisable to make all settings in advance. The clips are stable, but the plastic cover makes a knocking sound if you accidentally touch it during recording.
An important experience regarding the USB connection is that the USB port of the receiver can only be used for charging, it does not work as a USB microphone. This means that it is absolutely necessary to use the included jack cable for sound recording. This somewhat limits usability, as many modern devices no longer even have a jack connector.
Questions may arise regarding the joint use of several systems. Although the manufacturer does not address it, there is a possibility that interference may occur if several microphones of the same type are used, since they all operate on the same 2,4 GHz frequency.
I also tested the microphone in a speaker environment, specifically with a Tronsmart Halo speaker, but I couldn't get it to work properly. However, this could also be caused by a fault in the jack cable, not necessarily a microphone compatibility problem.
The original sound mode proved to be the most stable of the three modes. While the noise cancellation tended to degrade the sound quality by cutting out certain frequencies, the original mode provided consistent, reliable performance throughout the entire testing period.
Overall, the performance of the microphone corresponds to its price category. Although it has limitations and compromises, it performs its basic function – recording clear speech – well, especially considering its affordable price.
Conclusion
The BlitzWolf BW-SX31 wireless microphone is a product that represents surprisingly good value for money in its category. Despite the price tag of only HUF 8-9 thousand, it offers usable sound quality, reliable wireless connection and versatile connection options.
The product's greatest strength is its ease of use and universal compatibility. Thanks to Lightning, USB-C and 3,5 mm jack connectors, it can be used with virtually any modern device. The version with two microphones can be particularly attractive, since it is slightly more expensive than the version with one microphone, but it offers significantly more possibilities of use.
Of course, there are compromises: the quality of the plastic housings leaves something to be desired, the battery life falls short of the factory promise, and the noise filtering doesn't work perfectly either. However, these shortcomings are acceptable in the light of the price category, especially if we take into account that competitive products are available at multiple prices.
The BlitzWolf BW-SX31 is primarily recommended for those who are just starting to learn about video content creation, or for hobby users who occasionally need a wireless microphone. It can be a perfect choice for interviewing, vlogging, and online presentations, especially considering its favorable price. However, for professional use, it may be worth turning to higher-end alternatives.
The price of the microphone is a BG43e58f with a coupon code only 6672 HUF here:
