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At NAB 2026, we met with Diana Wu, Director of Sales at Saramonic, to walk through the WiTalk9 X, the company’s new full-duplex wireless intercom headset and the direct successor to the WiTalk9 it launched at IBC 2024. The headline feature is a three-way modular headband that converts between single-ear, dual-ear, and helmet-compatible configurations, paired with a significant weight drop and an updated ClearTalk 2.0 noise-cancellation system.
The WiTalk9 X carries over the core architecture of its predecessor, 1.9 GHz DECT transmission, hub-free operation, and scalability via WiTalk Base cascading, but it rebuilds the headset itself around a user-serviceable modular frame. We covered the original WiTalk9 at IBC 2024 when it launched, and the 1.9 GHz DECT argument for this category was also covered in our recent wireless intercom buyer’s guide, so the generational changes are where this piece focuses.
The three-way modular construction is the WiTalk9 X’s main structural change. Ear cushions, headband pads, and the metal band itself are user-replaceable, so teams can convert between single-ear, dual-ear, and helmet configurations, or swap worn components, without buying a whole new unit.
Weight is the more immediate improvement. In its single-ear configuration with battery installed, the WiTalk9 X comes in at approximately 172g / 6 oz, compared to 228g / 8 oz for the WiTalk9. That is roughly a 25% drop in on-head mass, which is meaningful over a 12-hour shoot day. The headset is IPX4 rated for splash resistance.
Audio is handled by what Saramonic calls ClearTalk 2.0: a dual-microphone array (cardioid primary for voice, omnidirectional secondary for ambient sampling) feeding an AI-based noise cancellation algorithm that, per the company, was trained on over 700,000 noise samples across more than 20,000 hours of deep learning, and can attenuate background noise by up to 40 dB. Using a dedicated ambient mic as a noise-cancellation reference is a well-established architecture and sensible for crowded sets.
The capture chain is rated at 48 kHz/24-bit, with an 80 dB signal-to-noise ratio and a 120 dB maximum SPL, which should hold up in the loud environments (live events, construction sites, concerts) the system is pitched at.
The WiTalk9 X runs on 1.9 GHz DECT, a band that is regulatorily protected from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and consumer wireless traffic that clogs the 2.4 GHz band. The system uses both an internal and an external antenna with true diversity, continuously monitoring signal quality and switching to whichever is stronger. According to Diana, the WiTalk9 X offers approximately 500 m / 1,640 ft of line-of-sight range between headsets, and up to around 1 km / 3,280 ft when paired with a WiTalk Base.
A useful touch for teams that travel: the companion app includes GPS-based automatic frequency compliance, which adjusts the operating parameters to local regulations when the system is moved between regions.
Without any hub, the WiTalk9 X supports nine simultaneous users, including the master. Cascading up to four WiTalk Base units via USB-C scales the system to 64 users across up to eight groups, so a director is not managing a single flat channel of everyone on set. The base also bridges the system into Zoom, Teams, and similar platforms for remote participants, which is increasingly expected at live events and broadcast productions.
Each headset ships with a spare rechargeable lithium battery for quick swaps. Battery life is rated at 9 hours for the master headset and up to 12 hours for remotes. The Saramonic app handles system setup, parameter adjustment, real-time monitoring, and group management.
The WiTalk9 X is available in 3-person, 5-person, and 9-person kits, in both single-ear and dual-ear variants, with individual master and remote headsets also sold separately. Full kit pricing has not yet been published, though individual components have started appearing at B&H on preorder: the dual-ear and helmet-mount master headsets are listed at $250, and the dual-ear remote headset at around $175. Saramonic directed us to the Saramonic website for final kit figures. Shipping is slated for the end of April 2026 through Saramonic’s website and local distributors.
Is a modular form factor enough to pull you into the WiTalk ecosystem, or is the upgraded ClearTalk 2.0 noise cancellation the bigger draw? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!
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A camera was put in my hands at 16, and I’ve been taking photographs ever since. Before moving to Vienna, I worked as a photographer on film sets, telling stories as they unfolded behind the scenes. Since then, I’ve focused on immersive theater, both as a photographer and an actor. I am the photographer for the award-winning Nesterval ensemble, documenting the energy and atmosphere of their performances. I’m a teller of stories. Stories hold my interest. I’ll take on any project with a story to tell.