5 Cool Audio Products We Spotted at Palm Expo 2026

Palm Expo is always one of those shows where you walk in expecting the usual suspects – a wall of speakers here, a PA rack there – and walk out having had a few genuine “wait, what is that?” moments. This year was no different. Here are five products that made us stop and take a second look.

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AKG C104 and C114

Harman’s AKG has not come up with an entirely new range of microphones in close to two decades. But the wait will now come to an end with the launch of two models, namely the C104 and C114, which saw their first release at the NAMM earlier this year.

While the former is the basic model and is available as a fixed-cardioid condenser at a cost of about Rs. 7500, the latter is a multi-pattern large-diaphragm capable of offering omnidirectional, cardioid, and bidirectional polar patterns. Instead of being a rebranding exercise, both the microphones are brand new and feature innovative engineering designed with the aim of making the world a new category of entry-level utility microphones that can provide great audio output regardless of their use.

As far as the features and performance of these new AKG microphones are concerned, reviewers have particularly commended the midrange of the C114, which has been described as extremely accurate and neutral. Additionally, the treble response of the same microphone has been praised for its clarity and smoothness, which is quite uncommon for a microphone in this category.

Sennheiser Spectera SKM Transmitter

Spectera SKM was one of the products generating the most buzz at the expo. Spectera is the world’s first two-way wideband digital radio ecosystem based on WMAS technology that provides unparalleled flexibility, reliability, and control. The SKM model includes two-way communications capability for remote control of parameters such as gain and low cut, supports both Sennheiser and Neumann capsules, and boasts an OLED display and aluminum enclosure.

But the bigger story here is that which WMAS technology makes possible from a radio frequency perspective. With the help of WMAS, the IEMs and microphones will finally be able to use the same TV channel rather than two distinct channels separated by a guard band, providing a 40 times diversity for an 8 MHz radio frequency channel. And, for big production events in India, this fact cannot be overlooked.

Shure UA844+SWB

Some of the most useful tools at trade shows are those infrastructural components that get ignored until something goes wrong. In its product line, Shure provides such an item.

The UA844+SWB separates one pair of antennas to serve several receivers while boosting the RF level to account for insertion losses. One single unit can provide support to up to five wireless receivers, which allows for configuring up to five units within the two-tier setup. The unit supports the entire wideband range of UHF spectrum from 470 to 960 MHz and can be used with many different Shure receivers.

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Shure’s booth stands out because the product is actually demonstrated on-site by means of a performance by three artists through four wireless channels. There was a microphone on each drum, guitar, keys and vocals. Visitors can use headphones and listen to the whole sound mixture which is almost perfectly balanced. This is what matters. As soon as the antenna infrastructure is reliable, everything else just works like a charm.

SoundBase SE

Not everything that gets a spotlight at Palm Expo comes in a rack mount. SoundBase SE was a good example showing that what really matters in your daily routine may turn out to be nothing of the sort.

A regular case of a live event entails a whole bunch of tools made by various manufacturers being utilized by an RF manager for handling wireless microphones and monitors – quite laborious and complex, isn’t it? SoundBase SE is a free software suite allowing you to manage devices belonging to one of the four producers – Shure, Sennheiser, Wisycom, or Sound Devices.

The innovative business model that went into action early 2026 makes this application accessible to everyone without needing a license at all. The free package features even more functionalities than before. SoundBase SE has kept growing due to user feedback in its Discord community comprising 3,000+ people. Touring engineers from India who have been using the producer apps and Excel for quite some time now would better give it a try today.

Yamaha MGX Series

Yamaha’s MG line has been around for more than two decades now. But with its introduction at the 2026 NAMM show, the MGX marks one of the greatest milestones in that range.

The MGX series comes with audio capabilities of 32 bits/96 KHz, multi-channel streaming, and HDMI/USB video/audio. Its video options come with HDMI to USB input, HDMI passthrough, built-in DSP processing for low latency, and Auto Gain & Clip Safe functions. Two USB ports, Bluetooth technology, and Micro SD multi-track recording provide even greater versatility.

At a conference for Palm Expo with its emphasis on worship venues, hybrid events, and content productions, the MGX strikes an ideal balance.

Palm Expo 2026 made one thing clear: the line between live audio, content creation, and broadcast infrastructure is blurring faster than ever. Whether it’s Sennheiser rethinking RF from the ground up, Yamaha building a mixer that doubles as a video interface, AKG proving affordable doesn’t have to mean uninspired, or SoundBase quietly eliminating the six-apps workflow every touring engineer knows too well – the products on show this year were built for a world where the stage and the stream are the same thing.

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