Mic Archive
Countryman E6
Photo: Countryman, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Countryman Associates

Countryman E6

Electret condenser earset mic on a thin boom; this record is the omnidirectional E6 with the standard W5 sensitivity (directional and lower-gain W6/W7 versions also exist)

Type
Condenser (electret)
Pattern
Omni
Sensitivity
−43.1 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
24 dB(A)
Max SPL
120 dB SPL
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 1. "Frequency Response", "Omni" graph, "6 in" (booklet: "measured at 6 inches"); relative dB, labelled. One line per protective cap. 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. 1. "1 kHz Polar Response", "Omnidirectional"; rings labelled 0 to -20 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet
Sensitivity−43.1 dBV/Pa (7 mV/Pa), omni W5; also −54 dBV/Pa, omni W6; also −63.1 dBV/Pa, omni W7. "Omni W5: 7.0 mV/Pa", "Omni W6: 2.0 mV/Pa", "Omni W7: 0.7 mV/Pa"; converted (20 log10). Directional versions in specs_extra.p. 1
Self-noise24 dB(A), W5; also 29 dB(A), W6; also 39 dB(A), W7. "Equivalent Acoustic Noise: W5: 24 dBA, W6: 29 dBA, W7: 39 dBA" (omni and directional alike).
Max SPL120 dB SPL, omni W5, 1% THD (overload sound level); also 130 dB SPL, omni W6; also 140 dB SPL, omni W7. "Overload Sound Level (1% THD): Omni W5: 120 dBA, Omni W6: 130 dBA, Omni W7: 140 dBA"; the booklet says "dB SPL".
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz, omni. "Omni: 20 Hz to 20 kHz"; no tolerance stated.
Powering1-2 V at 500 µA, from a wireless transmitter or phantom power through an XLR cable. "Power Requirements: 500 µA at 1 to 2 Volts"; cables "for almost any wireless transmitter or for XLR inputs with phantom power".
Current draw0.5 mA. "500 µA".
Connectordetachable snap-on cable; terminations for most wireless transmitters or XLR (phantom)
Weight2 g. ".07 oz (2 grams)".
Supplied accessoriescable; carrying case; black and white cable clips; windscreen; three protective caps (+0, +4, +8 dB). "Supplied with cable, carrying case, black and white cable clips, windscreen and protective caps"; the three omni caps from the booklet (page 13).
Sensitivity, directional versionW5 6.0 mV/Pa, W6 1.9 mV/Pa, W7 0.6 mV/Pa
Overload sound level, directional versionW5 125 dBA, W6 135 dBA, W7 145 dBA (1% THD)
Frequency response, directional version30 Hz to 15 kHz
Sensitivity optionsW5 (no band) general speaking, the most popular; W6 (blue band) very loud speaking, theatre and most vocals; W7 (purple band) the most powerful vocalsp. 2
Protective caps (omni)+0 dB flat, +4 dB bright (fitted as shipped), +8 dB very bright: each sets the response around 15 kHz
VersionsE6 (springy boom), E6i (soft boom, larger ear piece), E6X/E6 Flex (springy ear loop, soft boom); colours tan, light beige, cocoa, black; 1 mm or 2 mm cable
Feedback rejectionOmni earsets reduce feedback by about 12 dB on average compared with an omni lavalier (Countryman)p. 1
From the user guide
Power supply voltage (booklet)+3 V with 2.7 kohm load; +6 V with 5.6 kohm load; +9 V with 15 kohm loadp. 16
From the product page
ConstructionStainless steel boom; moisture- and make-up-resistant with the protective caps; aramid-reinforced cable with braided RF shieldp. 1

Documents

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

Product page on countryman.com

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

Other mics