Comparison of ten room testing microphones

Ethan Winer · 22nd July 2008, 10:27 PM

Folks,

People often ask which affordable microphones I recommend for measuring their room. To answer this question I tested ten popular microphones ranging from an inexpensive DIY model to a Josephson with Microtech Gefell capsule costing $1,800, and wrote up the results for this article: Comparison of Ten Measuring Microphones. Enjoy!

--Ethan

**jayfrigo** · 23rd July 2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

Folks,

People often ask which affordable microphones I recommend for measuring their room. To answer this question I tested ten popular microphones ranging from an inexpensive DIY model to a Josephson with Microtech Gefell capsule costing $1,800, and wrote up the results for this article: Comparison of Ten Measuring Microphones. Enjoy!

--Ethan

Great list and great idea for an article, but two that are quite prevalent in the scientific world are absent, namely B&K and ACO Pacific. I suppose musicians are more interested in names they know from recording mics, so your list makes sense for your article's target audience.

avare · 23rd July 2008, 06:25 PM

Great stuff Ethan! One of the things that impressed me is that you did not try and explain the differences. This could get into some very technical discussions, which would confuse the new user. Well done.

AFA as what Jay wrote about which mics were absent, I noticed immediately that the mics tested were all units readillly available in the recording/MI market stores.

Tying both with what mics were chosen and Jay's remarks, I found amousing that the unit identified as a Josephson mic is actually a Microtech-Gefell microphone with a Josephson preamp. The capsule being the most significant variable. Plus Josephson does make measurement mic capsules, including OEM products for ACO Pacific.

On a tangent I recall from the Recording list someone writing about when B&K came out with their recording mics, going to an acoustics conference and comparing the 4007 (IIRC) to the various instrumentation grade mics and how the other attendees were envious of such good mic at such a cost. People who are not involved with traceability do not realize how expensive individual testing, recording and traceable calibration is.

Most important thing Ethan, great stuff!

Impressed,
Andre

Ethan Winer · 23rd July 2008, 10:58 PM

Thanks guys, your opinions mean a lot. I'd have loved to test a B&K but don't have one, though my DPA comes close. I've already heard from another vendor who was left out. But really, the main question I tried to answer is if an ECM8000 is any good because I'm asked that all the time. So I figured I could buy a few other inexpensive models, and for a total outlay of $200 I'd be a hero.

--Ethan

1954U1 · 26th July 2008, 03:24 PM

Great test.

Thanks for sharing!

Glenn Kuras · 27th July 2008, 12:11 PM

good job Ethan!

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22nd July 2008, 10:27 PM	#1
Ethan Winer Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New Milford, CT, USA Posts: 4,834	Comparison of ten room testing microphones Folks, People often ask which affordable microphones I recommend for measuring their room. To answer this question I tested ten popular microphones ranging from an inexpensive DIY model to a Josephson with Microtech Gefell capsule costing $1,800, and wrote up the results for this article: Comparison of Ten Measuring Microphones. Enjoy! --Ethan __________________ www.realtraps.com The acoustic treatment experts ----------------------- Amazing Telecaster guitar video

23rd July 2008, 10:58 PM	#4
Ethan Winer Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New Milford, CT, USA Posts: 4,834	Thanks guys, your opinions mean a lot. I'd have loved to test a B&K but don't have one, though my DPA comes close. I've already heard from another vendor who was left out. But really, the main question I tried to answer is if an ECM8000 is any good because I'm asked that all the time. So I figured I could buy a few other inexpensive models, and for a total outlay of $200 I'd be a hero. --Ethan __________________ www.realtraps.com The acoustic treatment experts ----------------------- Amazing Telecaster guitar video

27th July 2008, 12:11 PM	#6
Glenn Kuras Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 3,905	good job Ethan! __________________ Glenn Kuras - GIK Acoustics www.GIKAcoustics.com Need help with your room? click here

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23rd July 2008, 06:25 PM	#3
avare Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Hamilton, On Canada Posts: 948	Great stuff Ethan! One of the things that impressed me is that you did not try and explain the differences. This could get into some very technical discussions, which would confuse the new user. Well done. AFA as what Jay wrote about which mics were absent, I noticed immediately that the mics tested were all units readillly available in the recording/MI market stores. Tying both with what mics were chosen and Jay's remarks, I found amousing that the unit identified as a Josephson mic is actually a Microtech-Gefell microphone with a Josephson preamp. The capsule being the most significant variable. Plus Josephson does make measurement mic capsules, including OEM products for ACO Pacific. On a tangent I recall from the Recording list someone writing about when B&K came out with their recording mics, going to an acoustics conference and comparing the 4007 (IIRC) to the various instrumentation grade mics and how the other attendees were envious of such good mic at such a cost. People who are not involved with traceability do not realize how expensive individual testing, recording and traceable calibration is. Most important thing Ethan, great stuff! Impressed, Andre

26th July 2008, 03:24 PM	#5
1954U1 Gear nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Milano, Italy Posts: 123	Great test. Thanks for sharing!