Mic Archive
Shure Beta 53
Photo: Shure, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Shure

Shure Beta 53

Subminiature electret condenser headworn mic, omnidirectional, on a wire-frame headband, with two interchangeable protective caps (standard and filtered) and a detachable in-line preamp for phantom power

Type
Condenser (electret)
Pattern
Omni
Sensitivity
−54 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
42.5 dB(A)
Max SPL
139.4 dB SPL
Impedance
160 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the user guide 2005, p. 12. "Polar Patterns and Frequency Response", BETA 53; relative dB. Distance, 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 user guide 2005, p. 12. BETA 53 polar pattern; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2.5 to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring. Which cap was fitted is not stated.

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All specs

From the user guide
Sensitivity−54 dBV/Pa, at 1 kHz, open circuit voltage; with the in-line preamp; also −50 dBV/Pa, 2005 guide, wired version: "-50.0 ± 3.0dB, 3.16mV". Printed "-54.0 dBV/Pa (3.16 mV)", and the 2015 sheet has "-54.0dB 3.16mV". But -54 dBV/Pa is 2.0 mV and 3.16 mV is -50 dBV/Pa: the 2005 guide gives -50 dB (3.16 mV) for the wired Beta 53 and -54 dB (2.0 mV) for the wireless WBH53, so the -54 here may be the wireless figure copied.p. 9
Self-noise42.5 dB(A), equivalent SPL, A-weighted, typical; also 39 dB(A), 2005 guide: "39.0 dB typical; 42.0 dB maximum". The 2015 sheet also gives 42.5 dB SPL (A-weighted).p. 10
Max SPL139.4 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% THD; also 150.5 dB SPL, 2015 sheet: "at 1% THD/1 kΩ load" (the guide gives 150.5 dB for the wireless WBH53); also 147 dB SPL, 2005 guide, wired: 1% THD, 1 kΩ load; also 142 dB SPL, 2005 guide, wireless: 1% THD, 20 kΩ load. "BETA 53 139.4 dB"; THD "of microphone preamplifier when applied input signal level is equivalent to cartridge output at specified SPL".p. 9
Signal-to-noise ratio55 dB, ref. 94 dB SPL. "55.0 dB"; the same in all three documents.
Dynamic range96.9 dB, at 1 kHz; also 108 dB, 2015 sheet and 2005 guide: max SPL into 1 kΩ minus typical A-weighted noisep. 10
Output impedance160 ohm, output impedance of the RPM627 in-line preamp; also 136 ohm, 2005 guide: "Preamp Output Impedance 136Ω". "Output Impedance (RPM627) 160 Ω".p. 9
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz
Poweringphantom 11-52 V DC (through the in-line preamp). "11–52 V DC phantom power, 2 mA".p. 10
Current draw2 mA; also 4.6 mA, 2015 sheet and 2005 guide: "preamp and microphone"
ConnectorTA4F (mini 4-pin) on the mic cable; XLR-3 male on the RPM627 in-line preamp. Replacement parts: "4-Pin Mini Connector (TA4F)" WA333 and "In-Line Preamp" RPM627; polarity is given at "pin 2 with respect to pin 3" of the preamp (p. 10).p. 16
Weight135 g, microphone and in-line preamp. "135 g (4.75 oz.)"; the wireless WBH53 (no preamp) weighs 35 g. The 2015 sheet prints "1135.35 g (4.75 oz.)", a misprint.p. 10
Finishblack (Beta 53, WBH53B) or tan (WBH53T). Available models; the tan finish is listed only for the wireless version.p. 3
Supplied accessories2 foam windscreens; 2 standard protective caps (gold mesh); 2 filtered protective caps (silver mesh); swiveling lapel clip; 2 boom holders; logo pad; plastic carrying case. "All models include" (besides the mic and headband).p. 4
Protective capsStandard cap: gold mesh, "No attenuation". Filtered cap: silver mesh, "Attenuates high frequencies"p. 7
PolarityPositive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 (at the preamp output)p. 10
Wireless version (WBH53B, WBH53T)TA4F connector for Shure bodypacks, no preamp: -54.0 dBV/Pa (2.0 mV), max SPL 150.5 dB, dynamic range 108 dB, +5 V DC, 35 gp. 9
HeadbandLow-profile wire frame, adjustable in width, boom height and boom length; the boom can be moved to either sidep. 6
Placement (Shure)Near the corner of the mouth; roll the boom to keep it off skin and facial hairp. 8
Replacement partsFoam windscreen RPM304 (black) / RPM306 (tan); standard cap RPM208 / RPM212; filtered cap RPM220 / RPM214; mic and boom with TA4F RPM132 / RPM134; lapel clip RPM510 / RPM512; boom holder and logo pad RPM570 / RPM580; headband RPM550 / RPM560; TA4F connector WA333; in-line preamp RPM627p. 16
From the spec sheet
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, recommended minimum input impedance. ">1 kΩ"; the 2005 guide gives >1 kΩ for the wired version and 20 kΩ for the wireless one.p. 1
From the user guide 2005
Cable1.5 m (5 ft), small-diameter, shielded, with mini 4-pin connector (TA4F)p. 11

Documents

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

Product page on shure.com

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