Yichuang YC-WM500X2
Review of the YC-WM500X2 wireless microphone system from Yichuang
GEAR REVIEW
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
When it comes to purchasing items from AliExpress, we all understand that there are inherent risks. Occasionally, ambitious sellers attempt to make quick money by exploiting loopholes in the system. As a cautious buyer, I take extra measures to ensure a satisfactory purchase. I diligently read and consider all the comments and feedback on the product, examine other products and reviews within the seller's store, and even utilize third-party apps like AliHelper to assess the seller's reputation and track price fluctuations. Moreover, I conduct thorough research on the brand of the product I intend to buy. This blog was initiated partly due to the scarcity of information available on these lesser-known Chinese brands with strange names. Therefore, this is not your typical review; I aim to share my unique experience with this product in my own way.
As always, my intention is to provide a thorough and in-depth review that caters to readers who appreciate detailed insights. However, I also understand that some individuals may be seeking quick research or a concise overview. Therefore, for those readers, I will begin by offering my conclusion and highlighting the pros and cons of the product. If you find this information useful and wish to delve deeper into the review, I invite you to continue reading for a comprehensive analysis. I highly value the time and attention of my readers, and I strive to ensure that everyone can find value in my content, regardless of their preferred reading style.
Conclusion:
In my honest opinion, I firmly believe that investing in the Yichuang YC-WM500X2 wireless microphone system is unnecessary in 2023. This statement holds especially true for individuals engaged in more professional video productions. Allow me to elaborate on the reasons behind this conclusion.
Firstly, the product is outdated, and as a result, it fails to meet the current industry standards. In my personal experience, I encountered various defects and shortcomings that hindered its performance. These issues ranged from technical glitches to subpar build quality. Furthermore, it's important to note that for the same price, there are alternative solutions available that offer superior features and modern advancements. The market now offers more innovative and well-crafted options that can greatly enhance your video production endeavors.
Considering these factors, I cannot in good conscience recommend the Yichuang YC-WM500X2 wireless microphone system to anyone seeking a reliable and professional-grade audio solution. As consumers, it's essential to make informed decisions and invest in products that align with our goals and expectations. Therefore, I encourage you to explore alternative options that provide better value for your money and cater to the demands of contemporary video production requirements.
Pros
Convenient carrying bag with other accessories.
Long-lasting battery life: (Even after two years of regular use)
Good wireless range for this type of system.
Lightweight.
Cons
Unprofessional appearance: (Impression of being cheap and toy-like, lacking a professional aesthetic.)
Fragile construction: (Made of cheap plastic, which feels fragile and raises concerns about its durability.)
Potential defects: (Mine arrived with a defect. One of the transmitters doesn't work and the receiver has some problems when powering up.)
Limited channels: (The system offers a small number of channels.)
Limited frequency response of Lavalier microphones.
Absence of cable locking mechanisms.
Cheap displays: (The transmitters feature very cheap displays, which may be difficult to read or lack important information. Additionally, the receiver lacks a display altogether)
Additional important disclaimers:
I purchased this product using my own funds, and my review reflects my personal opinion. I hold no bias against the Yichuang brand. This review is intended to provide information, and the decision to purchase or not is entirely up to you. Learn from my review and make the choice that best suits your needs.
Yichuang?
Yichuang is a relatively unknown Chinese brand in the audio equipment industry, with little to no recognition among consumers. Their product lineup primarily focuses on wired and wireless Lavalier microphones tailored toward regular consumers such as YouTube creators, video bloggers, and individuals undertaking small video projects without professional audio knowledge.
There seems to be an official store for Yichuang products on AliExpress but I cannot confirm for sure that indeed is truly official. Their products appear also to be scattered across various smaller shops which is usual for these types of these Chinese brands. After conducting extensive research, I managed to find their official website, which, I must say, looks peculiar and outdated. It seems that the website has not been updated since 2020, and my browser even flags it as potentially insecure. Given this security concern, I prefer not to share the company's webpage to ensure your browsing safety while reading my blog.
Although their website showcases most of their product offerings, it is worth mentioning that some items lack essential details and specifications, with only a single picture provided for reference. Interestingly, the product I am reviewing here, the YC-WM500X2, is not listed on their website—a rather surprising omission. Additionally, Yichuang claims to conduct a "Strict quality inspection," a topic we will delve into further in our discussion.
Purchasing, Shiping, and Packaging:
Before diving into the process, I'd like to share why I decided to purchase this microphone system in the first place. At the time of my purchase, the market for wireless microphone systems wasn't as diverse as it is today. Following the release of Rode's Wireless GO systems, numerous companies, including several Chinese manufacturers, started producing their own versions. Yichuang was one of the first brands I discovered that offered a product at a highly affordable price point.
I was embarking on a project that required additional wireless Lavalier microphones, and instead of opting to rent them, I saw an opportunity to invest in the YC-WM500X2 system. My rationale was that it could be utilized for future projects as well, even though it did not fully meet all my requirements. The attractive price further convinced me to make the purchase, which amounted to a little over 80 dollars, as depicted in the accompanying picture. In this instance, I have chosen to blur the seller's name, deviating from my usual practice, to prevent any potential negative interactions or hate comments from readers. While I acknowledge that the seller has a business to run, and their shop displays a considerable number of satisfied customers, I encountered a particular dispute during my transaction that involved unprofessional and rude behavior. I firmly believe that while such situations may be uncommon, they should not excuse impolite and unprofessional conduct.
Though it was some time ago and the details have faded from memory, the overall purchase experience went smoothly. After completing the payment, the item was shipped using standard AliExpress shipping and arrived at my doorstep without any complications or additional taxes to be paid. The packaging was standard, as is often the case with many AliExpress sellers, consisting of minimal bubble wrap and a nylon envelope.
Upon removing the protective wrap and briefly inspecting the box before opening it, I noticed a funny detail that raised a red flag. The marketing on the box claimed that this product is "Professionai" instead of "Professional" as evident in the picture below. Firstly, it is far from being professional, and I couldn't understand why they chose to market it as such, considering it is clearly intended for non or semi-professional consumers. Secondly, a typo on the box is rather disappointing, especially after claiming to have "Strict Quality Control." Nevertheless, we are all human, and mistakes happen. I understand that many Chinese companies may not have employees who are fluent in English, leading to such errors. With that in mind, I proceeded with the unboxing process.
To my pleasant surprise, I discovered a really nice carry bag included in the package. This was, truth be told, the only aspect of the package that I found appealing. I have since repurposed the bag for other uses and storage. As I visually inspected the contents, everything appeared to be in order, with all the additional accessories included. However, it was when I decided to test the product that the problems began to surface.
One of the transmitters proved to be non-functional, which I will discuss in more detail in the following section. However, first I would like to focus on the communication I had with the seller regarding this issue. After extensive troubleshooting and research, I found myself unable to connect one of the transmitters, so I reached out to the seller. Understanding that English may not be their strong suit, I tried to explain the problem as simply and politely as possible. Unfortunately, the initial response I received from the seller consisted of generic troubleshooting steps that I had already attempted and knew to be ineffective.
When I clarified that the suggested solutions were not working, I received another reply that essentially implied that I lacked the competence to operate the equipment properly, citing its "Profesionai" nature. This response irked me, but I managed to maintain my composure and firmly requested that the seller refrains from insulting me with such baseless claims. I explained that the product I received was not functioning as expected, and just out of respect, I had initially chosen not to involve AliExpress for a full refund right away. However, the sense of fairness within me prompted me to engage in a conversation with the seller first. I proposed a compromise, suggesting that they refund half of the amount paid since I only had half of a functioning product.
Regrettably, the seller dismissed my request and instead offered a mere $10 as compensation. At that point, I had reached my limit and decided to escalate the matter by contacting AliExpress refund support for further assistance.
In the accompanying pictures, you can observe the refund process, during which AliExpress encouraged us to attempt resolving the issue directly with the seller before their intervention. Acting with a clear conscience, I made every effort to find a fair resolution. Unfortunately, the seller's response was disheartening, as they offered a mere $30 and addressed me as their "friend" now. Unwilling to accept such an inadequate offer, I chose to proceed with the refund process through AliExpress.
Providing AliExpress with a detailed explanation of the situation proved to be challenging due to the complex nature of the problem. After approximately two weeks, AliExpress presented me with the option to either accept a refund for half the price or receive a full refund upon returning the product to the seller in China. Considering the potential hassle involved in returning the item, I opted for a partial refund. Looking back, it may have been a mistake, as I should have rid myself of this troublesome product entirely.
I felt compelled to share this part of my experience, as it appears to be a commonly unaddressed problem. I have endeavored to convey the information in a concise yet informative manner, ensuring that it is not overly extended.
Now that the refund process is behind us, let's delve into the defects that plagued my unit, as well as an additional issue that surfaced along the way. Following that, I will provide a brief summary of the specifications and technical aspects of the product. As I previously mentioned, there are already several comprehensive reviews available online that cover these details extensively and provide a thorough assessment of the product's specifications. Therefore, I see no need to replicate the same information here.
The Defects:
As mentioned earlier, one of the transmitters labeled as "A" failed to connect to the receiver. Strangely, everything on it looks like to be in working order. The transmitter is powering up without any issues, displaying all the necessary information, and the buttons respond correctly. It can be assumed that the problem lies within the transmitter itself, potentially due to faulty electronics or a firmware error. To investigate further, I sought assistance from a friend who possesses extensive knowledge of audio electronics and components. We opened up the system, hoping to identify any issues with the antenna or any misplaced components. After conducting a quick visual inspection, we did not find anything out of the ordinary. Consequently, I concluded that investing more time into troubleshooting the transmitter would be futile.
Several months later, a second defect manifested, this time with the receiver. Upon attempting to power it up, I encountered an unexpected problem. The unit failed to power on unless it was connected to the charger. This meant that the only way to turn on the receiver was by initially connecting it to a power supply. Once powered on, I could disconnect it and use it normally. It's worth noting that this issue persisted regardless of the battery level, rendering the system even less useful and exacerbating its already limited functionality.
So, where is the "strict quality control" that the company claims to perform on its products? If they truly conducted thorough testing at the factory, issues like the ones I encountered should never have occurred. It's not a problem that arises during transportation; it's a fundamental flaw in the product itself.
To be fair, I researched available reviews that I can find, both written and video, and I couldn't find any other complaints similar to mine. It seems that my experience might be an isolated case. Nevertheless, I can't help but question the effectiveness of their proclaimed "strict quality control" in light of the problems I faced.
Any Use?
I haven't found much practical use for this flawed system. As I mentioned earlier, I repurposed the carry bag and kept some of the cable accessories as backups. The Lavalier microphones, while not sounding terrible, are quite bulky and difficult to conceal under clothing, and without a locking mechanism. I could potentially add a locking mechanism through soldering, but I don't believe it's worth the effort. As for the functioning transmitter and receiver, I occasionally use them to transmit signals from my recorder to a second pair of headphones, which I provide to the director or producer on set. However, I do plan on investing in a more reliable system for this purpose in the future.
I sincerely regret purchasing it and wish I hadn't. Nonetheless, such is life, and we learn from our mistakes. By sharing our experiences, we can help others avoid similar pitfalls. I hope that Chinese companies actually start to do proper Quality Control and cease selling faulty products to hardworking individuals who deserve better for their hard-earned money. Luckily for me, this class only cost me 40 dollars.
Let's quickly examine the official specifications of the YICHUANG YC-WM500X2 3.5mm Interface Wireless Microphone [Two Transmitters and One Receiver]. Please note that the information I found is not from the official webpage, as their website lacks details about this product. Instead, I copied the specifications from a seller's page I found through Google. Afterward, I will provide a brief overview of the key features.
Official Specifications:
Lightweight receiver and transmitter
Simple and easy to use
Provides high-quality audio
20-channel system to minimize interference
Operating range of 30m-50m
Wide compatibility: compatible with smartphones, tablets, DSLRs, camcorders, audio recorders, PCs, and more
Specifications:
Wireless frequency range: 470-510MHz
Audio frequency response: 30Hz-18KHz
Microphone Specifications: Omnidirectional
Number of channels: 20
Receiver battery life: Approximately 4 hours
Transmitter battery life: 6-8 hours
Receiver weight: 40 grams
Transmitter weight: 40 grams
Package Included:
2 x Transmitter
1 x Receiver
2 x Clip-on Microphone
3 x Charging Cable
1 x Camera Audio Cable
1 x Mobile Phone Extension Cable
1 x Storage Box
1 x English and Chinese User Manual
Other items not included
Brand: N/A
User Manual (Language): English and Chinese
Gross Weight: 0.564kg
Volume Weight: 0.539kg
Package Length: 21.800cm
Package Width: 19.700cm
Package Height: 5.600cm
Product packaging: Colored Box
In summary, the Yichuang wireless microphone is lightweight and easy to use, making it suitable for nonprofessional consumers. However, receiving properly working units can be a matter of luck. The audio quality is decent but falls short of the "high" marketing claims. The 20 channels lack significant control, and connecting to other channels can be limited. The range reaches approximately 30 meters but experiences occasional signal dropouts. Compatibility is limited to devices with a 3.5mm input, which can be found only on older smartphones and tablets. The omnidirectional lav mics are also decent and they perform adequately although I never bothered to test them if their range is truly from 30Hz to 18KHz. The battery life discrepancy between the receiver (4 hours) and transmitters (6 hours) is peculiar, suggesting potential power differences or varying battery capacities. In personal experience, both the receiver and transmitters lasted 6-7 hours after a full charge, even after two years of use.
Reflecting on this entire experience is currently having a negative impact on me, and I believe it's best to conclude here, although I acknowledge there may be more to discuss regarding the detailed specifications of this product. I have shared the key points I wanted to convey, and if you desire more specific information about the product's specifications, I encourage you to explore additional reviews for a comprehensive understanding.