Mic Archive
AEA R92
Photo: Audio Engineering Associates, from its manual, p. 1.

Audio Engineering Associates

AEA R92

Ribbon, figure-8 (large ribbon, passive), for close and medium distances; crisper front lobe than rear

Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.

Type
Ribbon
Pattern
Figure-8
Sensitivity
−55 dBV/Pa
Max SPL
165 dB SPL
Impedance
270 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2. "AEA R92 On-Axis Frequency Response (1m)", 200 Hz to 20 kHz, "Output Voltage (dBr)". Smoothing and lobe not stated. The 2005 manual (p. 4) and the 2018 spec sheet (p. 3) print the same curve.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the manual, p. 10. "Directivity", full circle, 0° up, rings every 3 dB from +6 to -24 dB (CLIO). Measuring conditions not stated. Approximate reading error up to about 1 dB.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the manual
Capsulepure aluminium corrugated ribbon, 1.8 µm thick, 4.7 mm wide, 59.7 mm longp. 11
Sensitivity−55 dBV/Pa (1.8 mV/Pa), into an unloaded circuit. "1.8 mV/Pa (-55 dBV) into unloaded circuit". The 2005 one-sheet says "> -55 dBv/Pa".
Max SPL165 dB SPL, above 1 kHz, 1% third harmonic; also 135 dB SPL, peak (2005 one-sheet and manual: ">135 dB SPL peak"). "165+ dB SPL (1% third harmonic > 1 kHz)". The 2005 one-sheet (p. 2) gives ">135 dB SPL peak".
Output impedance270 ohm, broadband. "270 Ω Broadband"; the 2005 sheet says "nominal".
Rated load impedance1200 ohm, or greater. "1.2k Ω or greater".
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz, -7 dB; also [20, 18000], ±3 dB (2005 one-sheet and manual). "<20 Hz to >20 kHz (-7dB)"; the spec sheet leaves out "(-7dB)". The 2005 one-sheet: "20 Hz to 18 kHz (+/- 3 dB)".
Poweringnone (phantom not required or recommended)
ConnectorXLR-3M on a 3 m (10') captive cable. "XLR-3M wired to a 10' (3 m) captive cable". The spec sheet prints 10” (inches); the 2005 one-sheet had a 2 m cable.
Weight893 g. "1.97 lb (893 g)"; the shipping weight is given as "2 lbs (0.9 kg)", nearly the same, so it is unclear whether 893 g is the mic alone. The 2005 sheet: "2 pounds with cable and storage case".
Dimensions191 × 74 × 64 mm. Height 7.5 in (19.1 cm), width 2.9 in (7.4 cm, with the stand adapter), depth 2.5 in (6.4 cm).
Supplied accessoriesstorage/shipping case; user manual; soft cloth bag
Ribbon tuning16.5 Hz (the same Big Ribbon, tuning and transformer as the R44)p. 4
Front and rear lobesFront (AEA emblem) is the "crisp" side with clean high-end detail; rear is the "smooth" side with the classic ribbon high-frequency roll-offp. 8
Working distanceA near-field ribbon: flat response at 6-12 in (15-30 cm) from the source (p. 4); p. 10 says flat at 24 in (60 cm)p. 4
Off-axis responseHorizontal: up to 90 dB rejection at right angles to the front/back axis. Vertical: level changes with angle of incidence, but frequency response is consistentp. 11
PolarityPin 2 high for positive pressure on the front of the mic
MountingIntegrated 360° swivel on a C-shaped yoke, with an elastic shock-mount suspensionp. 7
PreampClean, high-impedance preamp with at least 1.2 kΩ input impedance and 65 dB of gain recommendedp. 5
Wind protectionMulti-layered screens and grille clothsp. 7
AssemblyHandcrafted in Pasadena, Californiap. 2

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Audio Engineering Associates, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on aearibbonmics.comRecording Hacks

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