AKG
AKG C451 B
Small-diaphragm cardioid condenser (the CK1 capsule, fixed), for overheads, hi-hat, acoustic guitar and piano
Power Phantom, 9 to 52 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −41 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 29%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 50%
- Self-noise
- 18 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 33%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 32%
- Max SPL
- 135 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 40%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 36%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 15% of 75 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 34% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 38% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
5 of 16; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 15.
Titled "Frequency response"; relative dB. Distance and room not stated.
That unit is from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (CC BY 4.0), 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
From the manual, p. 15.
Titled "Polar Diagram"; two half plots (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | same transducer as the CK1 (fixed, not modular) | p. 11 |
| Sensitivity | −41 dBV/Pa (9 mV/Pa) | p. 15 |
| Self-noise | 18 dB(A)IEC 60268-4, A-weighted. Measured with 48 V phantom; 2 dB less dynamic range at 24 V, 8 dB at 12 V. | |
| Max SPL | 135 dB SPL0.5% THD, 0 dB pad (48 V phantom); also 145 dB SPL, -10 dB pad; also 155 dB SPL, -20 dB pad | |
| Dynamic range | 117 dBmax., A-weighted | |
| Output impedance | 200 ohm< 200 ohm | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrecommended, > 1000 ohm | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz± 1.5 dB from the published curve | |
| Powering | phantom, 9 to 52 V (IEC 61938) | |
| Low cut | off, 75 Hz, 150 Hz12 dB/octave; 75 or 150 Hz is the -3 dB point (p. 11). | |
| Pad | −10 dBalso −20 dB | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male | |
| Weight | 125 gnet | |
| Dimensions | 19 × 160 mmDiameter × length. | |
| Finish | satin nickel plated | |
| Output stage | Transformerless | p. 11 |
| Operating temperature | -20 °C to +60 °C | p. 15 |
Documents
- C451 B manualGerman, English, French, Spanish
- Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response DatasetJuan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © AKG, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.