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Neumann U 87 Ai
Photo: Neumann, from its manual, p. 1.

Georg Neumann GmbH

Neumann U 87 Ai

Large-diaphragm condenser with three patterns (omni, cardioid, figure-8)

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Omni / cardioid / figure-8
Sensitivity
−31.1 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
12 dB(A)
Max SPL
117 dB SPL
Impedance
200 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 16. Free field, IEC 60268-4, tolerance ±2 dB (as printed). Distance not stated.

Independent measurement: also drawn, from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (Juan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey) (CC BY 4.0): one unit, measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's 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. 16. Free field, IEC 60268-4. 125 Hz to 1 kHz drawn on the left half, 2 to 16 kHz on the right; the pattern is taken as symmetric. 5 dB per ring, centre -25 dB.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the manual
Sensitivity−31.1 dBV/Pa (28 mV/Pa), cardioid, 1 kHz into 1 kohm; ±1 dB; also −34 dBV/Pa, omni; also −33.2 dBV/Pa, figure-8. Printed as 20/28/22 mV/Pa; converted with 20·log10(mV/1000). Values per pattern are printed as omni/cardioid/figure-8; the cardioid value is the main one here.p. 3
Self-noise12 dB(A), cardioid; IEC 60268-1, A-weighted RMS; also 15 dB(A), omni; also 14 dB(A), figure-8. Values per pattern are printed as omni/cardioid/figure-8; the cardioid value is the main one here.
Self-noise (CCIR 468)23 dB, cardioid; CCIR 468-3 quasi-peak; also 26 dB, omni; also 25 dB, figure-8
Max SPL117 dB SPL, cardioid, less than 0.5% THD; also 127 dB SPL, with pre-attenuation. THD of the microphone amplifier at an input equivalent to the capsule output at that SPL.
Signal-to-noise ratio82 dB, cardioid; re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 79 dB, omni; also 80 dB, figure-8; also 71 dB, cardioid, CCIR; also 68 dB, omni, CCIR; also 69 dB, figure-8, CCIR
Output impedance200 ohm, rated
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, rated load
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. "Frequency range 20 Hz...20 kHz"; p. 2 adds that the response extends below 20 Hz.
Poweringphantom, 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938)
Current draw0.8 mA
Low cutoff, on. Switchable high-pass filter on the back; frequency and slope not stated (the response graphs show it).p. 2
Pad−10 dB. "The pre-attenuation switch reduces the microphone sensitivity by 10 dB"; switch on the back.
ConnectorXLR-3. Balanced transformer output; matching connector XLR 3 F. Pin 1 ground, pin 2 +, pin 3 -.p. 3
Weight500 g
Dimensions200 × 56 mm. Length × diameter.
Supplied accessoriesWooden box. U 87 Ai (mt). The Set adds the EA 87 elastic suspension; the Stereo Set is two mics, two EA 87, dust covers and an aluminium case.p. 2
Max. output voltage-6 dBup. 3
Operating temperature0 °C to +70 °C
Minimum operating time with BS 48 i battery supplyapprox. 20 hours
Low-cut useWith the high-pass filter on: address from 30-40 cm in cardioid, 15-20 cm in figure-8p. 2
Pattern changeNoise may rise for about 30 seconds after changing the pattern, while the capsule recharges
Cable lengthUp to about 300 m without effect on the frequency response
Selected accessoriesEA 87 elastic suspension (007297), MNV 87 auditorium hanger, DS 120 and SG 367 mounts, PS 15 / PS 20 a popscreens, WS 87 windscreen, BS 48 i battery supply, N 248 power supply, IC 3 mt cablep. 3
VersionsU 87 Ai and U 87 Ai mt (the manual covers both)p. 2

Documents

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

Product page on neumann.comRecording Hacks

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