Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica U853
Miniature condenser hanging mic (UniPoint) for choirs and stages with interchangeable elements (cardioid U853R, UniLine U853RU), on a 7.6 m attached cable to an AT8538 power module
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 11-52 V DC.
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Switchable, 4
- Sensitivity
- −39 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 42%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 59%
- Self-noise
- 24 dB(A) computed
- Max SPL
- 139 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 58%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 53%
- Rated range
- 30 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 34% 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 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 59% 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.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
"12" or more on axis" (about 30 cm). No dB labels: scaled from the "10 dB" bar (one grid row) and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz on the flat curve. 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
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
"polar pattern", full circle, 0° up; "SCALE IS 5 DECIBELS PER DIVISION". Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −39 dBV/Pa (11.2 mV/Pa)cardioid; open circuit, 1 kHz; also −35 dBV/Pa, UniLine (U853RU sheet). "–39 dB (11.2 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa"; U853RU "–35 dB (17.7 mV)". | p. 2 |
| Self-noise | 24 dB(A)cardioid; also 20 dB(A), UniLine. Not stated; 94 dB SPL minus the signal-to-noise ratio (70 dB; UniLine 74 dB). | |
| Max SPL | 139 dB SPLcardioid; 1 kHz, 1% THD; also 135 dB SPL, UniLine. "139 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D."; U853RU "135 dB SPL". | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 70 dBcardioid; 1 kHz at 1 Pa, A-weighted, typical; also 74 dB, UniLine. "70 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa"; footnote "Typical, A-weighted, using Audio Precision System One". U853RU: 74 dB. | |
| Dynamic range | 115 dB1 kHz at max SPL, typical; both elements. "115 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL" on both sheets. | |
| Output impedance | 250 ohm"250 ohms" on both sheets; page 1: "Output is low impedance (Lo-Z) balanced". | |
| Rated frequency range | 30 Hz to 20 kHz"30-20,000 Hz" on both sheets. | |
| Powering | phantom 11-52 V DC"11-52V DC, 2 mA typical". | |
| Current draw | 2 mAtypical | |
| Low cut | flat, roll-off; 80 Hz; 18 dB/octave; high-pass"80 Hz, 18 dB/octave"; "Switch: Flat, roll-off". Page 1: a recessed switch in the power module, "integral 80 Hz high-pass UniSteep® filter". | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male on the AT8538 power module; the mic cable ends in a TA3F"Power module: Integral 3-pin XLRM-type"; page 1: the TA3F plugs into a TB3M jack on the power module. | |
| Weight | 14 gcardioid microphone, without cable or power module; also 30, UniLine. "Microphone: 14 g (0.5 oz)"; U853RU "30 g (1.1 oz)". Power module 81 g. | |
| Dimensions | 34 × 12.2 mmcardioid microphone; also [156.0, 12.2], UniLine. Length × diameter: "34.0 mm (1.34") long, 12.2 mm (0.48") diameter"; U853RU "156.0 mm (6.14") long". | |
| Finish | low-reflectance black (U853R, U853RU); white housing, cable, hanger and windscreen (U853RW, U853RWU) | p. 1 |
| Supplied accessories | AT8538 power module; AT8451 steel hanger; AT8153 two-stage foam windscreen (U853R); AT8154 two-stage foam windscreen (U853RU); AT8438 5/8"-27 stand adapter"Accessories furnished"; white models get the (WH) hanger and windscreen. AT8154 from the U853RU sheet. | p. 2 |
| Interchangeable elements | UE-O omnidirectional (360°); UE-C cardioid (120°); UE-H hypercardioid (100°); UE-UL UniLine (90°) | |
| Cable | 7.6 m (25 ft), permanently attached, 3.2 mm diameter, 2-conductor shielded, with a TA3F-type connector | |
| Power module | AT8538: 92.9 mm long, 18.9 mm diameter, 81 g; recessed flat/roll-off switch; XLR-3 male output | |
| Audio-Technica case style | M12 (U853R); M32 (U853RU) | |
| RFI | UniGuard RFI-shielding technology; the RFI shield is part of the TA3F connector, so cutting the cable needs the ATCT crimp tool and new shields | p. 1 |
| Polarity | Pin 2 hot: positive pressure gives positive voltage at pin 2 | |
| Operating temperature | Avoid temperatures over 43 °C (110 °F) for long periods, and very high humidity | |
| PlacementAudio-Technica | Forward of the front-most source, above the rear-most, aimed between them; the distance to the rear-most no more than twice that to the front. Pickup width about 3 times the distance to the nearest performer (cardioid), 1.5 times (UniLine); space extra mics apart by the same factor | |
Documents
- U853R & U853RW Cardioid Condenser Hanging Microphones, UniPoint0001-0159-01
- U853RU & U853RWU UniLine Condenser Hanging Microphones, UniPoint0001-0160-01
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Audio-Technica, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.