Deity Theos - Extensive Testing and Review!

Deity has been releasing new products at a logarithmic pace since they launched in April 2018. Some of their products have inspired other manufacturers to create rival products, others are all but forgotten and then there's the new Digital Wireless Theos system. This product bridges the gap between amateur and professional wireless with performance rivaling the major players in pro wireless but at the higher end of consumer pricing.
0:00 Sound Speeds and here we go!
1:16 I'm very happy Deity included this
1:33 Stop and go watch Curtis Judd's review at: • DEITY THEOS Wireless M...
2:19 The USB-C will help us in this review
2:31 How I tested the -130 dBu EIN claim on the internal recorder
3:06 The EIN measurement results
3:44 Use the proper gear when you test
4:02 Testing the throughput EIN - the process
4:44 My throughput EIN measurement results
5:32 The range testing I'm going to do
5:41 The problem with the last wireless system Deity released
6:05 The Theos is UHF and here's why that's better
6:39 What you're going to hear in my range tests
6:53 How digital modulation is better than in analog wireless
7:30 Short range wireless test through many metal layers
10:21 My thoughts on range test 1
10:32 Long range wireless test through a lot difficult layers
13:30 Thoughts on how the Deity performed
13:30 Super long range "line of sight" test that still had a lot of metal between
14:27 The reality of these results
14:35 A second super long range test through a lot of different things
16:39 The results of this final wireless range test
16:59 What I would like to see in the frequency range selection screen
17:27 The Spare Frequency list
17:51 The digital modulation in RF Explorer Pro Audio Edition
18:00 Explaining RF Spray
18:13 Testing for EMI/RFI Emissions
21:47 The results of the scan
21:54 Will it clip? That is the question.
22:23 How the Theos did with overly loud transmitted audio
22:47 Hope on the horizon
23:05 Always vs Manual Rec Mode may be a problem
23:23 D2RX output level testing intro
23:49 The D2RX output frequency response testing
24:12 D2RX output level
24:24 DBTX preamp and ADC testing intro
24:49 The process I used for testing
25:13 How this process will isolate the gain stages
25:59 Delta Audio Null Comparator software explained
26:32 The Original test file vs Recorded on Theos subtraction test results
26:55 What the DeltaWave software revealed
27:41 Original test file vs throughput recorded digitally on computer
28:03 Analysis of the test results
28:35 Recorded on Theos vs Throughput recorded on the computer file
29:04 What the transmission does to transmitted sound
29:38 Frequency response of DBTX analog input testing
30:10 Testing complete - now here's my thoughts
30:19 Will the Theos work without being paired to the Sidas Audio app?
30:31 The US Version limitation
30:44 No ribbon under batteries
30:57 My prediction as to the biggest point of failure
31:26 My thoughts on the Deity branded disposable batteries
31:57 The 48 ms delay on the DBTX headphone out
32:25 Intermod free transmission?
32:32 Shortcuts I'd like to see
33:21 Audio mute at plug in
33:28 Sidas Audio mute button
33:42 Morse Code on the Theos
33:49 My thoughts on the Theos System
34:05 Prediction for the future
To purchase a Deity Theos: geni.us/DeityTheos
I highly recommend watching Curtis "Cudd" Judd's review of the Deity Theos before watching this video. Here's the link: • DEITY THEOS Wireless M...
Note: I contacted Deity and asked them why there's a delay in the headphone out of the Theos DBTX. I was told it was due to the processing power.
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FULL DISCLOSURE
Deity did send me this Theos Digital Wireless Kit in exchange for a fair and honest review. I do get to keep it following this review but they had no input into the creation of this review nor did they see it prior to release.
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[@ShawnMilo]

I'm sure there's no other review that covers so many locations and variety of weather conditions!

[@SoundSpeeds]

You're probably right.

[@curtisjudd]

Incredibly thorough work!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thanks tall man

[@fiercesound2138]

Fantastic video! So much great info. Loved your range tests.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thank you.

[@Ed-davies]

Oh man this was the most epic review of a wireless system I have ever seen. This has certainly been on my radar and I thing you’ve tipped me over the edge! It’s a shame about the batter door and that they don’t use the np50 type rechargeable batteries

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thank you. You can use the batteries you want unlike with the BP-TRX. And if you want a crazy wireless review, check out the BP-TRX review. That one was nuts.

[@charleshoughton]

Thank you for your thorough review. Greatly appreciated.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Absolutely. Thanks for watching

[@mar7838]

Great review. Thank you so much. This answered all of the questions I still had after reading forums and watching reviews.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Very cool. Glad to help.

[@eversinging]

worth the wait. excellent!!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thank you. 😎

[@MichaelWeizenfeld]

I waited for this video!

[@SoundSpeeds]

It's here now

[@audiobuff]

What a great review. This deep dive is well done! You can tell how long this took to put together.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Thanks brother

[@nickr5213]

Fantastic review! After multiple viewings, such a completely thorough test, putting this thing through its paces, and it performed excellently, especially for the price! I look forward to seeing Deity products gain more traction in the professional world as they continue to improve. Also, really glad they included the W.Lav PRO.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Me too. I thought of more tests but like I said in this video, I had to call it somewhere. Thanks for watching

[@redjrjames]

I absolutely love the Theos system. I'm definitely buying a second system. I was going to buy other systems but once I saw it have a headphone jack on the transmitter, my brain went to the moon and back. Being able to listen to the lavalier without my bag is SO GREAT and it makes me curious to know why other systems don't have that. My only gripe is like you said, there is NO limiter.. so when I get actors who suddenly start shouting... YEA! I can counter this by just lowering the gain at the transmitter and pushing the gain on my MixPre 6 but still.. no limiter Deity? *9.8/10*

[@SoundSpeeds]

Just wait... DLTX

[@longwelsh]

Once again you’ve smashed it. I’m just waiting for the D4RX they teased at NAB, hopefully with a top display. Love to see Deity coming into their own as a company making really great products.

[@SoundSpeeds]

They had to start somewhere but I'm glad to see where they're going.

[@danislug]

I've been waiting for this review for months. Waiting for my PC to turn on to watch it they wat it deserves! Thanks. 🎉

[@SoundSpeeds]

Let me know what you think.

[@danislug]

@@SoundSpeeds Much more than I expected! My conclusion is: wait for a future 4CH receiver with 4 TX (with limiter) kit. That's my wish!

[@SoundSpeeds]

👍

[@wesleybrehm9386]

I’ve been using the Theos professionally for several months. I’m glad to see your results are in line with the results I’ve seen. They clip like crazy at the transmitter, so I’m usually transmitting at +9 to +15dB gain, then gain staging at my mixer. I have run into a lot of dropouts, even from less than 20 feet away in the 550MHz region on typical sets with 1 or 2 cameras transmitting wirelessly plus comteks plus handheld coms . I’ve found using butterflies or shark fins dramatically improves the distance the Theos are useful at. Is anyone else using Deity Theos having similar issues?

[@jaimefish173]

in general i have found 470-530 ranges are the only usable frequencies on lectrosonics/ sony Uwp/ Sennheisers. I was confused that Theos didint touch the 470/19/20 blocks. Big part of the American Market.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Chipset limitations would be my guess

[@alekseyleonov]

Used Theos on venues with 30 000 people. My normal day. Had no dropouts ever on normal filming distances. But can say range is smaller in this case. Do you use correct size antennas? Also can play with RF power. More power, not always better.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Antenna I used are stock and included in Theos kit.

[@imark7777777]

@@SoundSpeeds there's a Gotham sound video where he talks about the trade-offs involved with the chipset.

[@cascade9584]

love this system, love this video. Really good stuff. I also learned from this video that there is a lot of stuff about wireless I don't know haha!

[@SoundSpeeds]

Awesome. Glad you liked it.

[@sebastiangutierrezumana]

Pro review! Very nice subtraction test! Never seen that with a Lectro, Zaxcom, SD, Sennheiser or Shure!

[@SoundSpeeds]

If I'm ever sent them...

[@NadirNovelties]

Nice to see Reaper in action.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Always

[@8lec_R]

Looks very interesting😊

[@SoundSpeeds]

It is.

[@alekseyleonov]

Finally!

[@SoundSpeeds]

👍

[@dannepedersen]

Thank you bro… :) Like to see you together guys… Very interest and trustful as always. By the way, I was order an easyrig booming. Will have it in mid June. Can’t be a boomer, I hope :)

[@SoundSpeeds]

Just remember... it's a tool to be used in certain circumstances. Don't make the mistake of trying to use it when you shouldn't

[@dannepedersen]

Yes it’s the same as a easyrig for camera. Have one of those as well and it’s not for all situations. But if luck…. It will be as the dip stick that got use”dl all the time…. :)

[@SoundSpeeds]

OK

[@richardweddle3408]

Thank you for this deep dive, Captain Allen. I have to watch it again to absorb it all. The only thing that remains to be done is for you test the Theos with third-party lavalier's to see which brands are compatible, how well they perform and if they perform better than the wavpro's. I suspect that a couple of brands will sound significantly better.

[@SoundSpeeds]

I'm sure you're right. The W-Lav Pros are great for the price but by no means are top tier.

[@richardweddle3408]

@@SoundSpeeds -- perhaps you can start with the DPA's and the Sennheiser's and the Sanken's, see which ones are optimal.

[@SoundSpeeds]

I don't see myself doing this anytime soon

[@richardweddle3408]

@@SoundSpeeds Don't you want to finish what you started?

[@SoundSpeeds]

Not really because where would I finish? I could literally test this system to death for the next 3 years but why? How many of my viewers would be happy seeing me release another video about the Theos and tests? I already have a list with 8 more tests on it that I could have done with the Theos but the investment of my time and energy isn't worth it.

[@JamesClark1991]

Great review. The lack of an analogue limiter makes it dead in the water for me personally, but I'm keeping very close eyes on Deity's upcoming TXs and RXs.

[@SoundSpeeds]

The DLTX has my attention

[@batturion]

Always awesome to see you with Curtis. Is he really that much taller than you?

[@SoundSpeeds]

He may have been slightly higher up a hill...

[@SoundSpeeds]

twitter.com/curtisjudd/status/1732194498166325283

[@batturion]

@@SoundSpeeds 😂

[@SoundSpeeds]

😎

[@TunaFA68]

21:45 Idk if Curtis didn't expect that comment and took long enough for him to get it or he just is a really good actor lol

[@SoundSpeeds]

He didn't know I was going to say that so it was a genuine reaction. I didn't know either - I surprise myself sometimes. If you watch the last couple frames when I shrug, he starts to laugh. After it cuts he laughs and says he wasn't expecting that. I may release the outtake.

[@curtisjudd]

@@SoundSpeedsplease do!

[@imark7777777]

I had to back up a few seconds. I caught the interaction but I didn't catch the face is the first time around AHAHAHAH. But it did leave me wondering if this one's safe to put on talent I'm asking for a friend what's the one that's not safe? Or would that be for an enemy?

[@SoundSpeeds]

If it weren't safe to put on people, someone may want to put it on someone they don't like without care.

[@curtisjudd]

@@SoundSpeeds😮

[@cstar224]

“PRO" 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️😂😂😂😂😂😂 well done! As always thank you for the high standard of reviews you always do!

[@SoundSpeeds]

😎

[@mrshaheedmalik]

Speeeeeeedzzzzz

[@SoundSpeeds]

Yeah boss.

[@mikpineda]

Thank you for the thorough review.. But the problem with these tests are the method that not testing it on real shooting scenarios. Open teradeks, hollyland transmitters, solidcoms, open iems, along with the bag with distros, other brands also inside the bag. | got 2 theos kits and upon testing it on the store it's flawless. When i put it in my soundbag on a real documentary shoot and commercials along with lectro src's & 411a's it produces some artifacts and dropouts as well as the noise floor is kinda high to my liking. Maybe i got a bad batch but.. i believe that there's more to improve with these kind of systems. Not there yet.

[@SoundSpeeds]

That's weird because it shouldn't intermediate with anything you mentioned on set. The lowest frequency used by any other department is 1.9 GHz if you don't count walkies. You are frequency coordinating, right? Have you tried different ranges?

[@WORTHITORNOT]

Dang, Allen you're the Bill Nye of all things Audio

[@SoundSpeeds]

😎

[@imark7777777]

Bill bill bill bill....

[@jaredbenge577]

Just used it on a short film, did great in all locations except at a fireworks stand off the highway.

[@SoundSpeeds]

What was the issue?

[@jaredbenge577]

@@SoundSpeeds mostly just pretty bad interference due to close proximity to passing highway traffic. Some drop outs as well, though I was well within line of sight of the Txs. still considering why the drop outs happened but I think it could in part be due to transmitter position and how the actors were blocked. They were all lying on the ground but keep in mind I was like 10 feet away during the scene. Drop outs probably could have been fixed by repoing the txs

[@SoundSpeeds]

Yeah, you'd have to diagnose the problem live to have a great chance of resolution.

[@jaredbenge577]

@@SoundSpeeds yeah, unfortunately it was one of those scenes that was pressed for time by the lighting and was almost shut down by police earlier in the day for thinking we didn’t have proper permitting. Tough spot and the director liked to move fast. Boomed it all, then got some wilds that night just to be safe

[@jaredbenge577]

@@SoundSpeeds worked great otherwise though. Filmed along the coast of Washington, inside the top of a lighthouse, under a bridge - it performed really well considering how prone to RF some of those environments can be

[@gkochanowsky]

The top 3.5mm audio connectors are more likely to break well before the battery door. One of the connectors on a receiver I bought has already broken. Deity did replace the unit but it's not as well attached to the case as one would hope given that they have a very rugged machined aluminum case.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Great note. Thank you.

[@MountainBoy99]

Nice job putting a single twist on the trailer straps so they don't vibrate and loosen in the wind.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Exactly right.

[@DG1TAL]

Pro! 😄

[@SoundSpeeds]

👍

[@QuestionMan]

😂

[@SoundSpeeds]

😎

[@carloalcos]

Much of this was way over my head, I felt like I was back in electronics school 25 years ago which I barely understood then. But I really appreciated the distance tests...this seems really impressive especially punching through metal. I've been using Sennheiser G3/G4 and I've found as soon as a car door is closed even if I'm close I'm getting weird things happening. I just ordered these, I'm excited to get my hands on them. I'm in Canada so stoked that I can record on the tx while transmitting, that makes me a lot less nervous about the no limiter issue. Couple questions...your suggestion for menu shortcuts, is that something they can do in a firmware update? Also, the Mute thing in the app...I swore I saw in Curtis Judd's video that Mute does show in the app when it's muted? And you can even mute from the app. Maybe I misunderstood what you were talking about. Anyway, really appreciate this! I have the TC-1s so this will play really nicely with those. Deity seems to be doing some great things these days for those of us in the prosumer world.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Yeah, they're doing quite well in their development. I can't wait to see what happens in the next few years

[@father_jordan]

(PRO!)

[@SoundSpeeds]

😎

[@konradzinner2255]

Have you tested it with different Lav-Mics yet? I would love to pair it with my DPA 6061s but heard quite a few reports about some popping noise sounds with the combi (an BT enabled)...

[@SoundSpeeds]

No. I just used the system stock.

[@konradzinner2255]

@@SoundSpeeds All right! Thanks for the comprehensive Tests 🙌

[@Macilatthefront]

Great stuff. Do you think the signal might have also been reflected off of the outside walls of the trucks in the first range test?

[@SoundSpeeds]

I'm sure it was but it still made it thru to me without a glitch

[@Macilatthefront]

@@SoundSpeeds No,I got that. I’m saying it might be expanding the range around the truck, effectively getting around the line of sight blockage.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Highly unlikely. Metal plates won't amplify the signal and I doubt the trucks next to me seamlessly bounce the RF without any hits.

[@chakerian]

13:40 is a *brutal* RF test. Normally you get worried when you have a single metal wall, which causes reflections which causes cancellation which causes dropouts. This doesn't just have one wall, it has a metal ceiling and metal floor and metal behind the glass. There are cancellations everywhere. Some might constructively increase the signal, but will be so spikey that it won't help. You miss a bit and the parity bit, and you're sunk (even though you're on a boat). It's not as much blasting through metal, but having metal reflect the signal that causes the biggest issues.

[@SoundSpeeds]

It certainly can the Theos did very well despite this.

[@w.g.5225]

Great work. But the null test has a flaw. You can’t do these test without word clock.Every pass you record thru the system will have word clock modulations= frequency modulation.

[@SoundSpeeds]

The software is supposed to correct for such errors as I understand it.

[@AlucardaPapere]

Was looking into buying two sets for my first professional sound kit, good to know you approve of them. Do you think it would be okay to use the included mic as my main lavs for a while?

[@SoundSpeeds]

Yes. They aren't the best lavs I've heard but they are very good and post will easily be able to use them.

[@imark7777777]

I'm in the same boat although I think I'm gonna be saving for a little while longer but better Wireless is my next investment I think. I bought a couple of original RODE wireless GOs v1 but there are some definite line of sight and distance concerns even though I love the size of the units. I've been using these things for a live event. I also got some XLR wireless adapters and again I really want something outside of 2.4 GHz, when they work they work great and then when you think you'll have no problems it's all wacky. I was at a train roundhouse which should've been reasonably RF clean apart from the ubiquity networking gear inside the brick building and should've been fairly well buffered from neighboring Wireless to some extent, and yet I had minor issues so I moved the receiver and as soon as we started the wireless was complete garbage even my laptop dropped off the control network for the mixer. So I've been playing 3-D chess with my bank account and products preparing the direction that I'll be going in. And I really started to like what I was hearing and seeing from Deity Theos stuff. Though I am really hoping they're going to do a double set with the plug on transmitter. I'm thinking two channels of wireless in the bag two channels of wireless for live and various combinations of lapel or plug-in that can float between both scenarios. And I almost came close to a job which would've had me probably booming to some extent, oh shucks to be one man band gotta set the gain staging and then focus on the booming.

[@heymrcody]

Pro! 😆

[@SoundSpeeds]

😎

[@kamluki]

Which DPA lavalier microphone from the 4060 series works best with the Deity Theos? Or would the 6060 series be better? I've heard there are some issues when pairing DPA lavaliers with the Deity Theos.

[@SoundSpeeds]

I haven't used any other lavs than the W-Lav Pros and haven't heard about any issues with other lavs. Please email any info you have about issues with other lavs.

[@alexprzewozniak3947]

I tried 3 6060s and 1 4060, and I only had rf interference on the 4060

[@SoundSpeeds]

Interesting

[@kengoodwin459]

Does it have a pad available for direct patch to 1/4" Guitar and Bass jacks?

[@SoundSpeeds]

It has a 1/8" out...

[@imark7777777]

I am only 30 seconds in but I'm still thinking it's gonna be worth it.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Let's hope

[@carloalcos]

So I just finished 5 days of a 10 day shoot using the Theos where we're averaging 10-12 hours per day. I'm finding that the receiver chews through batteries a lot faster than the transmitters (they're set to 50mw). Anyone else find this? I would have thought the tx would use more power, but I guess I'm wrong. Other than that, I'm loving these! The lavs sound great and are so small and easy to hide. The wire is pretty flimsy though which worries me in the long term.

[@SoundSpeeds]

Can you not plug it in and use batteries as a backup?

[@carloalcos]

@@SoundSpeeds TIL there's a USB input to power it haha...thanks! Although, I'm one-band-banding a show and carrying my F6 around my shoulder, wiring people up and booming, so it's extra weight to carry around and not even sure how'd I'd mount it to my setup...but I'll see if I can rig something up. On another note, I'm also having some issues syncing these up with my 3 TC-1s using the Sidus Audio app. It seems to work to sync up all 5 devices at the start of the day but if I say change the batteries on one of the TXs or power them down over lunch I can never successfully sync them all again through the app, I always get some failed syncs. I usually have to sync from the Master TC-1. Has anyone experienced this?

[@SoundSpeeds]

Better to ask in a forum that a comment

[@flake-films]

Anyone have ideas of how to purchase one outside of USA to get the internal recording?

[@SoundSpeeds]

Depends on the country

[@creativegreatsvisuals]

Have you ever experienced noise with these using mixpre 6ii ? Would these operate better with the mixpre 10ii that has balance outputs ?

[@SoundSpeeds]

The inputs on the 6ii and 10ii are the same. And no.

[@creativegreatsvisuals]

@@SoundSpeeds do you have the mixpre 10ii and mixpre6ii ? Do you feel the 10ii is a better buy or is the 6ii the same quality in a smaller form factor? In deciding between the two . Leaning more towards the 10ii but its bigger size I don’t like

[@SoundSpeeds]

They are the same but the 10 has more inputs. That's all.

[@creativegreatsvisuals]

@@SoundSpeeds 10ii has balanced outputs and more db plus better time code features

[@SoundSpeeds]

...

[@PepeReyesSonidista]

Are you bothered by the noise floor? or my theos is damaged

[@SoundSpeeds]

The noise floor isn't an issue for me. You might look into your lav wiring.

[@Brian-Hansen]

Thanks for the great review. The Diety connect system was so bad, that I just can’t give Diety a shot on this one.

[@SoundSpeeds]

It's a different creature but I understand.

[@Brian-Hansen]

@@SoundSpeeds yeah it is different, but Diety made me look so bad on client shoots that I just can’t try again

[@SoundSpeeds]

Copy that. Well, the only (last) thing I'll say on the matter is that in my BP-TRX, I wasn't recommending it for professional uses.

[@Brian-Hansen]

@@SoundSpeeds true!

[@SoundSpeeds]

👍