In this page I've been collecting data from different microphone manufacturers to create a comparative chart of the many different ambisonics microphones available on the market. My process has been to collect info from different users asking what features and technical specifications did they consider most important when buying a mic (signal to noise ratio, frequency response chart, operational simplicity). Then I collected official data from the different manufacturer's websites and contacted the manufacturers directly if any piece of information was not available online. At the end of each datasheet there is a personal comment.
I hope that this document can help artists, engineers and other users to find the most suitable device for their needs and to have an overview on what is available in terms of gear and technologies.
RØDE NT-SF1
SIZE: 192.3 x 45.7/25.1 mm (L x D)
WEIGHT: 286g
OUTPUT: Analog
EQUIVALENT NOISE LEVEL PER CAPSULE: 17 dB(A)
EQUIVALENT NOISE LEVEL OF ENCODED ARRAY:
MAXIMUM SPL: 129dB
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO:
INDIVIDUAL CALIBRATION: No
DECODED POLAR PATTERNS AVALIABLE:
FREQUENCY RESPONSE CHART AVAILABLE:
CASE / SHOCK MOUNT / CABLES / WIND PROTECTION: Generic shock mount, cable and wind shield with jammer available and included, case not included.
The Røde NT-SF1 is one of the most common and widespread microphones for ambisonics. It offers a decent sound quality and good spatial image at an affordable price, representing a very good entry level unit for field recordists, location sound engineers and spatial audio enthusiasts who perhaps do not think of ambisonics as their main technology. Coming already with a shockmount, a decent wind protection, cables and a case makes the microphone ready for the field right away.
Price: $ 999.00
SENNHEISER AMBEO VR MICROPHONE
SIZE: 215 x 49/25 mm (L x D)
WEIGHT: 1.060 g
OUTPUT: Analog
EQUIVALENT NOISE LEVEL PER CAPSULE: 18dB(A)
EQUIVALENT NOISE LEVEL OF ENCODED ARRAY:
MAXIMUM SPL: 130dB
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO:
INDIVIDUAL CALIBRATION: No
DECODED POLAR PATTERN AVALIABLE:
FREQUENCY RESPONSE CHART AVAILABLE:
CASE / SHOCK MOUNT / CABLES / WIND PROTECTION: Cable and Rycote Shockmount included, as well as a foam pop filter. Additional wind protection is desirable if planning to record outdoors. According to Rycote, the 25 mm BBG windshield is a viable solution.
The Sennheiser Ambeo VR microphone offer perhaps a good sound quality for the price, mounting KE-14 capsules (which are the same type of capsules mounted in the Sennheiser e914). It requires additional wind protection for outdoor use. The cable is a balanced split cable 4xXLR to DIN12. Included there is an extension DIN12 cable.
Price $ 1,295.00
CORE SOUND TETRAMIC
SIZE: 129 x 12.5 mm (L x D)
WEIGHT: 85g
OUTPUT: Analog
EQUIVALENT NOISE LEVEL PER CAPSULE: 19 dBA
EQUIVALENT NOISE LEVEL OF ENCODED ARRAY: 16dBA
MAXIMUM SPL: 135 dB
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO: 76dB
INDIVIDUAL CALIBRATION: Yes
DECODED POLAR PATTERN AVALIABLE: No
FREQUENCY RESPONSE CHART AVAILABLE: No
CASE / SHOCK MOUNT / CABLES / WIND PROTECTION: Cables available but not included in the base package, wind protections and shock mount sold separately.
Tetramic by Core Sound is the smallest first order ambisonics microphone commercially available. According to Core Sound Website, every unit is individually calibrated and they suggest a recalibration of the microphone every third year. The size and the price point of the microphone make it a very interesting option. However, Core Sound states "Using TetraMic with 48V phantom power adapters other than those provided by Core Sound will void all performance specifications." making it almost necessary to purchase the Tetramic together with their PPac system and making it more expensive but still the cheapest option available.
The PPac system is a compact Phantom Power supply and cable connector that breaks the etherCON cable coming out from the microphone into 4 XLRs. I personally find this solution very clever and apt for indoor/studio applications, but perhaps not the most straightforward for outdoor/field recording use, due to the amount of extra gear required.
Price $ 625.00 mic only // $ 825.00 with PPac package
NEVATON VR – AMBISONICS MICROPHONE
SIZE: 237 x 70/30 mm (L x D)
WEIGHT: 600g
OUTPUT: Analog
EQUIVALENT NOISE LEVEL PER CAPSULE: 4dBA
EQUIVALENT NOISE LEVEL OF ENCODED ARRAY:
MAXIMUM SPL: 142dB
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO:
CALIBRATION:
DECODED POLAR PATTERN AVALIABLE:
FREQUENCY RESPONSE CHART AVAILABLE:
CASE / SHOCK MOUNT / CABLES / WIND PROTECTION: 10pin XLR to 4 XLR split cable included, the microphone comes in a wooden box.
The NEVATON VR microphone is by far the ambisonics mic with the lowest self noise available (just 4dBA!!), this is possible also thanks to the large diaphragm capsules this microphone is equipped with. This mic comes with a dedicated filter set for A to B conversion developed by Prof. Angelo Farina. This microphone also presents a switchable -10dB attenuation and a switchable Low-cut filter (80Hz, 6dB/Oct). Capsules are also equipped with two internal heating modes to ensure stability in diverse climatic conditions.
Price: €3,999.00 excl. VAT
