Currently, WMAS systems present several drawbacks, particularly in outdoor environments: transmitters and receivers are prone to overheating, power consumption is high, and RF robustness is often uncertain.

This is why we strongly recommend testing these systems under real-world conditions — with multiple interfering transmitters, both indoors and outdoors (e.g., on stage) — before making any investment in this technology.

We have identified no fewer than ten limitations:

1. Finding a clean and available RF channel with wide bandwidth (e.g., 6–8 MHz) can be challenging.

2. Using such wideband systems (8 MHz) is only truly justified when a large number of audio channels is required.

3. Lack of redundancy: a single disruption on the RF channel can cut off all IEM receivers, unlike current systems where a faulty unit can be quickly swapped for a backup.

4. The time-slot (TDMA pulse) operation may cause audible interference with legacy audio devices.

5. The highly scalable nature of the system naturally introduces setup complexity, increasing the risk of configuration errors.

6. OFDM technology requires high linearity, which decreases energy efficiency (shorter battery life, more heat generation).

7. Compatibility issues may arise when coexisting with older systems (frequency coordination challenges).

8. Portable units tend to be bulkier, due to additional components and larger batteries (AA batteries are often no longer suitable).

9. If a narrowband transmitter gets too close to an antenna, there’s a high risk of it taking down the entire system.

10. Optimizing all parameters simultaneously (latency, range, audio quality, battery life, RF robustness, etc.) is extremely difficult — improving one often means compromising on another.