Mic Archive
Audio-Technica U853
Photo: Audio-Technica, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Audio-Technica

Audio-Technica U853

Miniature condenser hanging mic (UniPoint) for choirs and stages with interchangeable elements (cardioid U853R, UniLine U853RU), on a 7.6 m attached cable to an AT8538 power module

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

Type
Condenser (electret)
Pattern
Cardioid / lobar / hypercardioid / omni
Sensitivity
−39 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
24 dB(A) computed
Max SPL
139 dB SPL
Impedance
250 Ω
Rated range
30 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 2. "12" or more on axis" (about 30 cm). No dB labels: scaled from the "10 dB" bar (one grid row) and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz on the flat curve. Room and smoothing not stated.

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

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the spec sheet, p. 2. "polar pattern", full circle, 0° up; "SCALE IS 5 DECIBELS PER DIVISION". Measuring conditions not stated.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet
Sensitivity−39 dBV/Pa (11.2 mV/Pa), cardioid; open circuit, 1 kHz; also −35 dBV/Pa, UniLine (U853RU sheet). "–39 dB (11.2 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa"; U853RU "–35 dB (17.7 mV)".p. 2
Self-noise24 dB(A), cardioid; also 20 dB(A), UniLine. Not stated; 94 dB SPL minus the signal-to-noise ratio (70 dB; UniLine 74 dB).
Max SPL139 dB SPL, cardioid; 1 kHz, 1% THD; also 135 dB SPL, UniLine. "139 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D."; U853RU "135 dB SPL".
Signal-to-noise ratio70 dB, cardioid; 1 kHz at 1 Pa, A-weighted, typical; also 74 dB, UniLine. "70 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa"; footnote "Typical, A-weighted, using Audio Precision System One". U853RU: 74 dB.
Dynamic range115 dB, 1 kHz at max SPL, typical; both elements. "115 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL" on both sheets.
Output impedance250 ohm. "250 ohms" on both sheets; page 1: "Output is low impedance (Lo-Z) balanced".
Rated frequency range30 Hz to 20 kHz. "30-20,000 Hz" on both sheets.
Poweringphantom 11-52 V DC. "11-52V DC, 2 mA typical".
Current draw2 mA, typical
Low cutflat, roll-off; 80 Hz; 18 dB/octave; high-pass. "80 Hz, 18 dB/octave"; "Switch: Flat, roll-off". Page 1: a recessed switch in the power module, "integral 80 Hz high-pass UniSteep® filter".
ConnectorXLR-3 male on the AT8538 power module; the mic cable ends in a TA3F. "Power module: Integral 3-pin XLRM-type"; page 1: the TA3F plugs into a TB3M jack on the power module.
Weight14 g, cardioid microphone, without cable or power module; also 30, UniLine. "Microphone: 14 g (0.5 oz)"; U853RU "30 g (1.1 oz)". Power module 81 g.
Dimensions34 × 12.2 mm, cardioid microphone; also [156.0, 12.2], UniLine. Length × diameter: "34.0 mm (1.34") long, 12.2 mm (0.48") diameter"; U853RU "156.0 mm (6.14") long".
Finishlow-reflectance black (U853R, U853RU); white housing, cable, hanger and windscreen (U853RW, U853RWU)p. 1
Supplied accessoriesAT8538 power module; AT8451 steel hanger; AT8153 two-stage foam windscreen (U853R); AT8154 two-stage foam windscreen (U853RU); AT8438 5/8"-27 stand adapter. "Accessories furnished"; white models get the (WH) hanger and windscreen. AT8154 from the U853RU sheet.p. 2
Interchangeable elementsUE-O omnidirectional (360°); UE-C cardioid (120°); UE-H hypercardioid (100°); UE-UL UniLine (90°)
Cable7.6 m (25 ft), permanently attached, 3.2 mm diameter, 2-conductor shielded, with a TA3F-type connector
Power moduleAT8538: 92.9 mm long, 18.9 mm diameter, 81 g; recessed flat/roll-off switch; XLR-3 male output
Audio-Technica case styleM12 (U853R); M32 (U853RU)
RFIUniGuard RFI-shielding technology; the RFI shield is part of the TA3F connector, so cutting the cable needs the ATCT crimp tool and new shieldsp. 1
PolarityPin 2 hot: positive pressure gives positive voltage at pin 2
Operating temperatureAvoid temperatures over 43 °C (110 °F) for long periods, and very high humidity
Placement (Audio-Technica)Forward of the front-most source, above the rear-most, aimed between them; the distance to the rear-most no more than twice that to the front. Pickup width about 3 times the distance to the nearest performer (cardioid), 1.5 times (UniLine); space extra mics apart by the same factor

Documents

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

Product page on audio-technica.com

Recommended for

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