Here's a list of budget binaural and headworn mics which won't set you back too much. All specs have been taken from the manufacturers' or retailers' websites and standardised. Delivery isn't included in the cost.
| Model | Capsule | Fitting | Self-noise | Sensitivity | Max SPL | Size | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHURCH AUDIO – sold directly from Canada | ||||||||
| B99A | Unknown | Clips | 26dB | 10mV/Pa | 120dB | Unknown | $100 | |
| CORE SOUND – sold directly from the USA | ||||||||
| Low Cost Binaural | Unknown | Clips | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 6x12mm | $75 | |
| Binaural | Panasonic | Clips | 30dB | 0.5mV/Pa | 110+dB | 6x12mm | $230 | |
| MICROPHONE MADNESS – sold directly from the USA | ||||||||
| MM-BSM-3 | Not known | None | 36dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | 6x12mm | $56 | |
| MM-BSM-2 | Not known | Clips | 36dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | 6x12mm | $60 | |
| MM-BSM-5 | Unknown | None | 36dB | 8mv/Pa | 105dB | 6x5mm | $60 | |
| MM-BSM-7 | Panasonic 61 | Clips | 32dB | 18mV/Pa | 105dB | 6x12mm | $65 | |
| MM-BSM-8 | Sennheiser | Hook-on binaural | 32dB | 18mv/Pa | 105dB | n/a | $65 | |
| MM-BSM-1 | Unknown | Clips | 36dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | 6x12mm | $70 | |
| MM-BSM-5 | Unknown | None | 36dB | 8mv/Pa | 105dB | 6x5mm | $70 | |
| MM-BSM-9 | Unknown | Clips | 36dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | 6x18mm | $85 | |
| MM-BSM-4 | Unknown | Croakie mount | 36dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | n/a | $89 | |
| MM-HLSO | Sennheiser MKE | None | 29dB | 10mV/Pa | 130dB | 4x4mm | $250 | |
| NAIANT – sold directly from the USA | ||||||||
| X-X | Unknown | None | 23dB | 25mV/Pa | 126dB | 9x25mm | $100 | Price is for pair, needs phantom power |
| ROLAND – sold in the UK from Sounds Live | ||||||||
| CS-10EM | Unknown | In-ear binaural | < 34dB | 10mV/Pa | Unknown | Unknown | £80 | Integrated earphones |
| SHURE – sold from DV247 in the UK | ||||||||
| WL-183 | WL-183 | Clips | 23dB | 10mV/PA | 125dB | n/a | £249 | Price is for pair |
| SOUNDMAN – sold from KMR Audio in the UK | ||||||||
| OKM II Classic | Unknown | In-ear binaural | 33dB | Unknown | 95dB | n/a | £120 | Also in 'Studio' model |
| OKM II Pop/AV | Unknown | In-ear binaural | Unknown | Unknown | 111dB | n/a | £120 | Also in 'Studio' model |
| SOUND PROFESSIONALS – sold directly from the USA | ||||||||
| MS-TFB-2 | Unknown | In-ear binaural | 19dB | 25mV/Pa | 115/130dB | n/a | $149 | Higher SPL with optional battery box |
| SP-BMC-1 | Unknown | Clips | 36dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | 6x6mm | $49 | |
| SP-BMC-2 | Unknown | Clips | 36dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | 6x12mm | $59 | |
| SP-BMC-9 | Unknown | None | 34dB | 6mV/Pa | 105dB | 4x3mm | $59 | |
| SP-BMC-3 | Unknown | Lapel clips | 36dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | 8x12mm | $69 | |
| SP-HMC-1 | Unknown | Headphone mount | 36dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | n/a | $69 | |
| SP-EBM-1 | Unknown | In-ear binaural | 32dB | 18mV/Pa | 105dB | n/a | $79 | |
| SP-TFB-2 | Unknown | In-ear binaural | 34dB | 8mV/Pa | 105dB | n/a | $79 | |
| SP-BMC-12 | AT MT350 | Lapel clips | 34dB | 8mV/Pa | 110dB | 5x12mm | $99 | |
| SP-Micro-1 | Unknown | Clips | 36dB | 32mV/Pa | 100dB | 3x3mm | $99 | |
| SP-Croakie-1 | AT MT350 | Croakie mount | 34dB | 8mV/Pa | 110dB | n/a | $119 | |
| SP-BMC-20 | Audio Technica | Clips | 24dB | 20mV/Pa | 106dB | 8x15mm | $149 | |
| SP-BMC-10 | AT 899 | Various clips | 30dB | 5mV/Pa | 110dB | 5x15mm | $299 | |
This one is really helpful Ian. There is a good number of recorders comparison charts but little is done on mics. Thanks indeed.
Posted by Vladimir on 12 March 2010
You’re welcome and glad you found it of use Vladimir.
Posted by IMR on 14 March 2010
I noticed that most of your recordings are done with Sonic Studios DSM mics but they are not on the chart
Posted by Mychal Herron on 12 April 2010
Hello Mychal,
Sonic Studios mics range in price from $450 to $650, depending on the mic model and sensitivity.
In addition, purchasers will likely either need some kind of modification done to their digital recorder to supply the correct voltage for the mics, or will have to buy one of Sonic Studios’ own powering units or preamplifiers. All those cost extra.
They’re good, but in my opinion they’re a mid-range-priced option, rather than a budget one.
Posted by IMR on 13 April 2010