Dynamic Microphones
This list will be of interest mainly for S1 Pro system owners. Microphones with higher sensitivity will tend to sound louder than those with lower sensitivity. While sensitivity is not an indicator of quality or gain-before-feedback, it can impact how loud the microphone sounds through the S1 Pro system and S1 Pro+.
See also: Microphone Review
| Manufacturer | Model | Sensitivity (mV/Pa) | Sensitivity (dBV/Pa) | Polar Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audix | OM2 | 1.60 | -55.9 | Hypercardioid |
| Audix | OM7 | 0.80 | -61.9 | Hypercardioid |
| Sennheiser | MD 441 | 1.80 | -54.9 | Supercardioid |
| Shure | SM58 | 1.85 | -54.6 | Cardioid |
| Audix | OM3 | 1.60 | -55.9 | Hypercardioid |
| Audix | OM3xb | 2.50 | -52.0 | Hypercardioid |
| Audix | OM5 | 2.00 | -54.0 | Hypercardioid |
| Audix | OM6 | 1.50 | -56.5 | Hypercardioid |
| Beyerdynamic | M88 | 2.90 | -50.7 | Hypercardioid |
| Electro-Voice | N/D767A | 3.10 | -50.2 | Supercardioid |
| Electro-Voice | N/D86 | 2.40 | -52.4 | Supercardioid |
| Electro-Voice | N/D96 | 3.30 | -49.6 | Supercardioid |
| Rode | M1 | 1.60 | -55.9 | Cardioid |
| Sennheiser | e 835 | 2.70 | -51.4 | Cardioid |
| Sennheiser | e 845 | 1.80 | -54.9 | Supercardioid |
| Sennheiser | e 935 | 2.80 | -51.1 | Cardioid |
| Sennheiser | e 945 | 2.00 | -54.0 | Supercardioid |
| Sennheiser | MD 421-II | 2.00 | -54.0 | Cardioid |
| Sennheiser | MD 431-II | 2.00 | -54.0 | Supercardioid |
| Sennheiser | MD 435 | 1.80 | -54.9 | Cardioid |
| Sennheiser | MD 445 | 1.60 | -55.9 | Supercardioid |
| Shure | Beta 58 | 2.60 | -51.7 | Supercardioid |
| Shure | KSM8 | 2.66 | -51.5 | Cardioid |
Glossary of Terms
Sensitivity (mV/Pa or dBV/Pa): Indicates how much voltage a microphone generates for a given sound pressure level (typically 94 dB SPL).
- mV/Pa – Millivolts per Pascal; a linear measurement used in international specifications.
- dBV/Pa – Decibels relative to 1 Volt per Pascal; a logarithmic measurement common in American documentation.
Higher sensitivity usually means louder signal output, but it doesn't necessarily translate to better sound or feedback rejection.
Polar Pattern: The directional sensitivity of a microphone — how it picks up sound from different angles.
- Cardioid – Primarily sensitive to sound from the front, with some rejection from the sides and rear.
- Supercardioid – Tighter front pickup with enhanced rear rejection, ideal for louder stages.
- Hypercardioid – Even more directional, with strong side rejection and narrower front pickup.
These patterns affect feedback control, mic placement, and how ambient noise is captured.
Notes
- Microphones with very low sensitivity (e.g., Audix OM7) require additional preamp gain and may not perform optimally with entry-level PA systems.
- Condenser microphones (like the Neumann KMS 105) require phantom power. If phantom power is unavailable, they will not function.
- Mics with very high sensitivity (above ~3.0 mV/Pa) may be prone to feedback if system gain isn't carefully managed.
- Selecting microphones with sensitivity near 1.85 mV/Pa (e.g., Shure SM58) helps ensure consistent performance across varied setups and avoids surprises for sound operators.
- ↑ Output level too low for S1 Pro