BUYERSGUIDE

AKG C636 Apex Electronics 515 Galaxy Audio ErgoMic Lauten Audio LS-108 Lewitt MTP 940 CM
Top of the Line
Handheld Condenser
Microphones
By GeorgePetersen

I
t’s no secret that dynamic microphones have pretty much
been the standard in vocal performance mics for decades.
However, if you’re looking for a handhend with extended Pattern: Supercardioid Notes: Includes Pattern: Cardioid Notes: Large diaphragm Pattern: Cardioid, Self-Noise: 9 dB (A)
bandwidth, greater detail and fast transient response, a con- Max SPL: Not stated interchangeable dynamic Max SPL: 135 dB capsule supercardioid, wide- Weight: 11.7 ounces
denser mic is just the ticket. Pattern: Cardioid Pattern: Cardioid/omni/supercardioid Sensitivity: Not stated and condenser elements Sensitivity: 5 mV/Pa Street Price: TBA cardioid Notes: 3-way pad and
With that in mind, we present this look at some current Max SPL: 150 dB Max SPL: 134 dB Self-Noise: Not stated Street Price: $139 Self-Noise: 12 dB (A) Max SPL: 144 dB high-pass filter
top-end condenser models. No frequency response data is Sensitivity: 5.6 mV/Pa Sensitivity: 13.8 mV/Pa Weight: 11.8 ounces Weight: 7 ounces Sensitivity: 10 mV/Pa Street Price: $599
given; simply stating that a mic has a 20 Hz to 20 kHz spec is Self-Noise: 20 dB (A) Self-Noise: 17 dB (A)
fairly meaningless, and many models include LF or upper-mid galaxyaudio.com lautenaudio.com lewitt-audio.com
Weight: 11 ounces Weight: N/A
presence boosts to add character or intelligibility, so a “flat” Notes: Switchable 80 Hz LF roll-off Notes: Includes three interchangeable capsules
response is rarely desirable. Weight is often a factor, particu-
larly when using a handheld mic over extended periods with
Street Price: $499 Street Price: $99 Microtech Gefell M900 Miktek PM5 Milab LSR-3000
certain vocalists. akg.com apexelectronics.com

Audio-Technica AE5400 Audix VX10 beyerdynamic TG V96

Pattern: Cardioid Notes: M910 Pattern: Cardioid Notes: Handheld version Pattern: Cardioid Weight: 10.4 ounces
Max SPL: 143 dB supercardioid version also Max SPL: 142 dB of C5 studio mic Max SPL: 150/138 dB (pad Notes: 12 dB pad and 80
Sensitivity: 17 mV/Pa available Sensitivity: 18 mV/Pa Street Price: $599 in/out) Hz low-cut switches
Self-Noise: 13 dB (A) Street Price: $1,465 Self-Noise: 19 dB (A) Sensitivity: 13 mV/Pa Street Price: $904
Weight: 8 ounces Weight: 10.4 ounces Self-Noise: 21 dB (A)
Pattern: Cardioid Pattern: Cardioid Pattern: Cardioid
Max SPL: 157/147 dB (pad in/out) Max SPL: 138 dB Max SPL: 150 dB microtechgefell.de miktekaudio.com milabmic.com
Sensitivity: 10.0 mV/Pa Sensitivity: 24 mV/Pa Sensitivity: 4 mV/Pa
Self-Noise: 14 dB (A) Self-Noise: 19 dB (A) Self-Noise: 20 dB (A) Neumann KMS 105 Pearl TLC 90 Peavey CM1
Weight: 11.6 ounces Weight: 10.9 ounces Weight: 11.5 ounces
Notes: Same capsule as AT4050 studio mic; 10 dB pad; Notes: VX10-Lo low-output version also offered for loud Notes: Capsule-only version also offered for TG-1000
LF roll-off vocalists wireless
Street Price: $379 Street Price: $479 Street Price: $569

audio-technica.com audixusa.com north-america.beyerdynamic.com

Blue enCORE 300 CAD Microphones C195 DPA d:facto 4018

Pattern: Supercardioid Notes: offered in black or Pattern: Cardioid Notes: LED indicates Pattern: Cardioid Notes: Internal shock-
Max SPL: 150 dB silver; KMS104 is similar Max SPL: 144 dB presence of phantom Max SPL: 136 dB mount reduces handling
Sensitivity: 4.5 mV/Pa cardioid version Sensitivity: 8 mV/Pa power Sensitivity: 7.1 mV/Pa noise
Self-Noise: 18 dB (A) Street Price: $699 Self-Noise: 26 dB (A) Street Price: $721 Self-Noise: 24 dB (A) Street Price: $129
Weight: 10.6 ounces Weight: 10.2 ounces Weight: 11.2 ounces
neumannusa.com pearl.se peavey.com

Pattern: Cardioid Pattern: Cardioid Pattern: Supercardioid

Røde S1 Sennheiser e965 Shure KSM9
Max SPL: 146 dB Max SPL: 132 dB Max SPL: 160 dB
Sensitivity: 11 mV/Pa Sensitivity: 18 mV/Pa Sensitivity: 5 mV/Pa
Self-Noise: N/A Self-Noise: 22 dB (A) Self-Noise: 19 dB (A)
Weight: 13.4 ounces Weight: 10 ounces Weight: 10.9 ounces
Notes: Internal floating capsule shockmount Notes: Soft-feel, non-slip gray finish Notes: Capsule head removes for use with wireless
Street Price: $179 Street Price: $159 systems
Street Price: $1,049
Pattern: Supercardioid Notes: available in black Pattern: Cardioid/ Self-Noise: 21 dB (A) Pattern: Cardioid/ Weight: 10.6 ounces
bluemic.com cadmics.com dpamicrophones.com
Max SPL: 151 dB SPL or nickel finish supercardioid (switchable) Weight: 13.9 ounces supercardioid (switchable) Notes: Class-A circuitry;
Sensitivity: 5.00mV/Pa Street Price: $329 Max SPL: 152/142 dB (pad Notes: Switchable low-cut Max SPL: 152 dB available in grey or
Earthworks SR40V Ehrlund EHR-H Electro-Voice RE520 Self-Noise: 18 dB (A) in/out) filter and 10 dB pad Sensitivity: 2.81 mV/Pa champagne finish
Weight: 10.9 ounces Sensitivity: 7 mV/Pa Street Price: $499 Self-Noise: 22 dB (A) Street Price: $699
rodemic.com sennheiserusa.com shure.com

Sontronics STC-6 Superlux PRO-238MKII NEXT MONTH

Pattern: Hypercardioid Pattern: Cardioid Pattern: Supercardioid

Max SPL: 145 dB Max SPL: 127 dB Max SPL: 150 dB
Sensitivity: 10 mV/Pa Sensitivity: 8 mV/Pa Sensitivity: 5.6 mV/Pa
Self-Noise: 22 dB (A) Self-Noise: 9 dB (A) Self-Noise: 17 dB (A)
Weight: 12.8 ounces Weight: 9.6 ounces Weight: 11.7 ounces Pattern: Cardioid Notes: Switchable low-cut Pattern: Cardioid Notes: 100 Hz low-cut
Notes: Extended 30 Hz to 40k Hz response Notes: Unique triangular capsule combines features of Notes: Cardioid RE510 version also avail. Max SPL: 140 dB filter and 10 dB pad Max SPL: 136 dB filter
Stage Monitors!
Street Price: $999 large and small diaphragms Street Price: $299 In-ear monitors have grown into a must-have for many
Sensitivity: 8 mV/Pa Street Price: $219 Sensitivity: 10 mV/Pa Street Price: $141 artists and crews, but there are plenty of applications
Street Price: $744 Self-Noise: 14 dB (A) Self-Noise: 16 dB (A) where stage wedges remain the preferred choice. We
earthworksaudio.com ehrlund.se electrovoice.com Weight: 15.4 ounces Weight: 13.8 ounces look at some of the best stage monitors available.
sontronics.com superlux.us
34 MAY 2019 • fohonline.com fohonline.com • MAY 2019 35