Shure
Shure KSM137
Small-diaphragm condenser (electret), cardioid, with three-position pad and low-frequency filter
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V; works down to 11 V with less headroom.
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −37 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 51%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 66%
- Self-noise
- 14 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 59%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 60%
- Max SPL
- 134 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 33%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 30%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 49% 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 71% 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 27% 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 20; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.
Titled "Frequency Response"; relative dB. 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 (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1. Approximate
Titled "Polar Pattern"; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom.
Approximate: some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 2.5k Hz, 6.4k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 2.5 µm, 24-karat gold-layered Mylar diaphragm | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −37 dBV/Pa1 kHz, open circuit | |
| Self-noise | 14 dB(A)typical; A-weighted (IEC 651) | |
| Max SPL | 134 dB SPL1 kHz, 1% THD, 1000 ohm load; also 139 dB SPL, 2500 ohm load; also 145 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load; also 159 dB SPL, 1000 ohm load, -25 dB pad; also 170 dB SPL, 5000 ohm load, -25 dB pad. The guide (p. 6) also gives the -15 dB pad: 149, 154 and 160 dB for 1000, 2500 and 5000 ohm. | |
| Dynamic range | 120 dB1 kHz, 1000 ohm load; also 125 dB, 2500 ohm; also 131 dB, 5000 ohm | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohm | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Pad | −15 dBalso −25 dB. "Three-position switchable pad (0 dB, 15 dB, and 25 dB)". | |
| Weight | 100 gnet | |
| Supplied accessories | A100C case; A100WS windscreen; A27M stereo adapter; A57F stand adapter | |
| Output clipping level | 3 / 9 / 15 dBV into 1000 / 2500 / 5000 ohm (20 Hz-20 kHz, 1% THD) | |
| Common mode rejection | >50 dB, 10 Hz to 100 kHz | |
| Electronics | Class A, discrete, transformerless preamplifier; subsonic filter below 17 Hz | |
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 80 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted | p. 6 |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrecommended minimum | p. 4 |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 V; works down to 11 V with less headroomDown to 11 V: p. 4. | p. 6 |
| Current draw | 4.65 mAtypical, at 48 V. The spec sheet gives 4.7 mA. | |
| Low cut | flat, 6 dB/oct below 115 Hz, 18 dB/oct below 80 Hz | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"Use a cable with XLR connectors at each end". | p. 4 |
| Dimensions | 20 × 122 mmDiameter × length. | p. 6 |
Documents
- KSM137 End-Address Cardioid Condenser Microphone, Product Specifications
- KSM137 User Guide27A3157 Rev. 1
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.