Sam Smith’s Monitor Engineer Switches to Sennheiser Spectera Wireless System for Residencies in New York and San Francisco

Sam Smith’s recent high-profile residencies at the Warsaw in Brooklyn and the re-launched Castro Theatre in San Francisco presented significant wireless audio challenges in congested RF environments. Long-time monitor engineer Saul Skoutarides transitioned the artist and band to Sennheiser’s new Spectera wideband bidirectional digital wireless system. The switch delivered notable improvements over traditional analog in-ear monitoring, including true stereo imaging without compander artifacts, a dramatically lower noise floor, and more accurate low-frequency response. Skoutarides highlighted that bass synths and sub-heavy patches no longer cause the fluttering or phase issues common in older systems. The absence of constant background hiss also reduced listener fatigue during extended rehearsals, creating a more positive environment noticed by Musical Director David Odlum and the performers. In dense urban settings like New York City, Spectera’s spectral efficiency allowed reliable operation amid interference where conventional systems would struggle. Bidirectional control simplified frequency changes and pack synchronization, especially useful during quick festival changeovers. The system also replaced fragile LMR400 cabling with robust Cat 5 infrastructure and supports MADI integration with ultra-low latency. Skoutarides described the upgrade as a permanent shift in his approach to monitoring, praising the clarity and silence achieved. The SKM handheld transmitter is expected to ship in September 2026, promising to extend the same high-fidelity experience to wireless vocals. Overall, the adoption of Spectera represents a significant advancement in professional wireless audio technology for demanding live performances.