Whirlwind THS4 Sports Announcer Talkback Headphone Console

The Whirlwind THS4 is designed for sports broadcasters, play-by-play announcers, and live production crews who need reliable microphone control and headphone monitoring in a single, purpose-built unit. It addresses the specific demands of on-air announcing environments where mic switching noise, accidental power loss, or fumbled controls can compromise a live broadcast.

For microphone management, the THS4 provides separate main and talkback outputs, giving announcers full control over when their voice reaches the air and when it reaches the production team. The passive main mic output is engineered to fail safe — defaulting to on-air when power is lost — a critical reliability feature for live sports coverage. An illuminated latching Mic On/Off switch, a momentary Cough switch, and a momentary Talkback switch give announcers tactile, eyes-free control during fast-moving events. The active talkback path includes a dedicated preamp, line driver, and level trim for consistent communication back to production.

The headphone section supports two independent inputs, each with its own volume control and dip-switch routing for left and right ear assignment. Inputs accept balanced mono or unbalanced stereo signals via XLR or quarter-inch TRS, and the output stage can drive headphones across a wide impedance range without external amplification. The onboard condenser mic power section supports both phantom and T-power with a recessed selector switch to prevent accidental mode changes mid-broadcast. The included power adapter completes a self-contained solution ready for commentary booth or courtside deployment.