Mic Archive
Shure Beta 54
Photo: Shure, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Shure

Shure Beta 54

Subminiature electret condenser headworn mic, supercardioid, on a wire-frame headband, with snap-fit windscreens and a detachable in-line preamp for phantom power

Type
Condenser (electret)
Pattern
Supercardioid
Sensitivity
−56 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
43.1 dB(A)
Max SPL
141.4 dB SPL
Impedance
160 Ω
Rated range
50 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the user guide 2005, p. 12. "Polar Patterns and Frequency Response", BETA 54; relative dB (one scale for all three lines). The legend gives "15 mm (.6 in)" for the dashed line and "606 mm (2 ft)" for the solid ones. 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 54 polar pattern; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2.5 to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring.

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All specs

From the user guide
Sensitivity−56 dBV/Pa, at 1 kHz, open circuit voltage; with the in-line preamp; also −52 dBV/Pa, 2005 guide, wired version: "-52.0 ± 3.0dB, 2.51mV". Printed "-56.0 dBV/Pa (2.51 mV)", and the 2015 sheet has the same. But -56 dBV/Pa is 1.58 mV and 2.51 mV is -52 dBV/Pa: the 2005 guide gives -52 dB (2.51 mV) for the wired Beta 54 and -56 dB (1.58 mV) for the wireless WBH54, so the -56 here may be the wireless figure copied (as on the Beta 53).p. 10
Self-noise43.1 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 43.1 dB SPL (A-weighted). The signal-to-noise ratio of 55 dB re 94 dB SPL, printed in all three documents, fits 39 dB.p. 11
Max SPL141.4 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% THD; also 152.5 dB SPL, 2019 guide, wireless WBH54; also 149 dB SPL, 2005 guide, wired: 1% THD, 1 kΩ load; also 144 dB SPL, 2005 guide, wireless: 1% THD, 20 kΩ load. "BETA 54 141.4 dB"; the 2015 sheet has "141.4 dB SPL at 1% THD/1 kΩ load". THD "of microphone preamplifier when applied input signal level is equivalent to cartridge output at specified SPL".
Signal-to-noise ratio55 dB, ref. 94 dB SPL. "55.0 dB"; the same in all three documents.
Dynamic range98.3 dB, at 1 kHz; also 110 dB, 2015 sheet and 2005 guide: max SPL into 1 kΩ minus typical A-weighted noise. The 2019 figure is its max SPL minus its self-noise (141.4 - 43.1).
Output impedance160 ohm, output impedance of the RPM627 in-line preamp; also 136 ohm, 2005 guide and 2015 sheet: "Preamp Output Impedance 136Ω". "Output Impedance (RPM627) 160 Ω".p. 10
Rated frequency range50 Hz to 20 kHz. "50 to 20,000 Hz"; the 2005 guide agrees, the 2015 sheet prints "20 to 20,000 Hz" (its graph starts at 50 Hz).
Poweringphantom 11-52 V DC (through the in-line preamp). "11–52 V DC phantom power, 2 mA".p. 11
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 (the 2015 sheet says WA331) and "In-Line Preamp" RPM627; polarity is given at pin 2 relative to pin 3 of the preamp.p. 15
Weight135 g, microphone and in-line preamp. "135 g (4.75 oz.)"; the 2005 guide and 2015 sheet give 135.35 g. The wireless WBH54 (no preamp) weighs 35 g.p. 11
Finishblack (Beta 54, WBH54B) or tan (WBH54T). Available models; the tan finish is listed only for the wireless version (also on the 2015 sheet).p. 4
Supplied accessories2 snap-fit foam windscreens; 2 standard protective caps (gold mesh); swiveling lapel clip; 2 boom holders; logo pad; plastic carrying case. "All models include" (besides the mic and headband).p. 5
Protective capUse only with the standard protective cap (gold mesh, "No attenuation"): "Using the microphone with no cap, or with the filtered cap, will degrade sound quality and alter the microphone's polar pattern"p. 7
PolarityPositive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 (at the preamp output)p. 11
Wireless version (WBH54B, WBH54T)TA4F connector for Shure bodypacks, no preamp: -56.0 dBV/Pa (1.58 mV), max SPL 152.5 dB, dynamic range 109.4 dB, +5 V DC, 35 g
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 partsMic and boom with TA4F RPM646 (black) / RPM648 (tan); standard cap RPM208 / RPM212; snap-fit foam windscreen RPM316 / RPM318; lapel clip RPM510 / RPM512; boom holder and logo pad RPM570 / RPM580; headband RPM550 / RPM560; TA4F connector WA333; in-line preamp RPM627p. 15
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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