Audio Engineering Associates
AEA N8
Ribbon, figure-8 (large ribbon, active, phantom-powered), far-field; NUVO series
Power P48 phantom.
- Type
- Ribbon
- Pattern
- Figure-8
- Sensitivity
- −41.7 dBV/Pa
- Among 28 ribbons: more output than 67%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 50%
- Max SPL
- 141 dB SPL
- Among 29 ribbons: takes louder sound than 64%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 69%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 24 side-address ribbons
More output than 65% of 24 side-address ribbons.
Each stripe is one side-address ribbon with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 28 side-address ribbons
Takes louder sound than 63% of 28 side-address ribbons.
Each stripe is one side-address ribbon with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 11.
"FREQUENCY RESPONSE", CLIO MLS measurement dated 3-30-2023, 200 Hz to 20 kHz. "Normalized to 0 dBV at 1kHz. 1/3 octave smoothing"; "Data below 200 Hz omitted due to measuring room restrictions"; "0 dBr is equivalent to 8.3 mV/Pa (-41.7 dBV)". The distance is from the file name printed under the plot, "N8 48 inch ref 1k.mls" (48 in, 122 cm).
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 11.
"Directivity", full circle, 0° up, rings every 3 dB from 0 to -30 dB (CLIO). Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | pure aluminium corrugated ribbon, 1.8 µm thick, 4.7 mm wide, 59.7 mm long | p. 10 |
| Sensitivity | −41.7 dBV/Pa (8.3 mV/Pa)1 kHz, no load. "8.3 mV/Pa (-41.7 dBV) (at 1 kHz, no load)"; the spec sheet gives only the mV/Pa. | |
| Max SPL | 141 dB SPLabove 1 kHz, 1% third harmonic. "141 dB SPL (1% third harmonic > 1 kHz)". | |
| Output impedance | 92 ohmbroadband. "92 Ω broadband". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmor greater. "1.0 kΩ or greater". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"<20 Hz to >20 kHz"; no tolerance stated. | |
| Powering | P48 phantom"P48 phantom power, 7 mA". | |
| Current draw | 7 mA | |
| Connector | XLR-3M | |
| Weight | 335 g"12 oz (335 g)". | |
| Dimensions | 224 × 41 × 35 mmLength × the two diameters, from the inch figures: height 8.83 in, width 1.62 in (table and drawing) and the other diameter 1.38 in (drawing, p. 11; the table repeats 1.62 in). The table's metric figures are misprinted: 22.5 cm (32.4 cm in the spec sheet), 11.7 cm and 9.5 cm. | |
| Supplied accessories | storage/shipping case; mic stand clip (shock-mounted); soft cloth bag; user manualThe clip is described as shock-mounted on p. 7. | |
| Electronics | Phantom-powered JFET electronics and a custom German transformer | p. 4 |
| Working distance | A far-field ribbon: ideal distance 12 in to 20 ft (0.35-6 m); strong proximity effect closer than 24 in, present closer than 48 in | p. 9 |
| Off-axis response | Horizontal: up to 90 dB rejection at right angles to the front/back axis. Vertical: level changes with angle of incidence, but frequency response is consistent | p. 10 |
| Polarity | Pin 2 high for positive pressure at the front of the microphone | |
| Shipping weight | 1 lb 13 oz (810 g) | |
| Phantom current | 7 mA; some USB and battery-powered interfaces cannot deliver this (IEC P48 allows 10 mA per input) | p. 5 |
| Options | NUVO windscreen (for the N22 and N8); NUVO Stereo Kit | p. 6 |
| Assembly | Handcrafted in Pasadena, California | p. 2 |
Documents
- AEA N8 Owner's Manual2023 V1
- AEA NUVO N8 Specificationsactive far-field ribbon mic
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Audio Engineering Associates, unchanged, with its original address.