Shure
Shure KSM8 Dualdyne
Dynamic (moving coil) cardioid handheld vocal mic with two diaphragms (one active, one passive) for reduced proximity effect
Power None: a dynamic mic needs no power. Low output: it needs a lot of preamp gain.
- Type
- Dynamic
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −51.5 dBV/Pa
- Among 78 dynamics: more output than 82%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 29%
- Rated range
- 40 – 16k Hz
vs 25 handheld dynamics
More output than 67% of 25 handheld dynamics.
Each stripe is one handheld dynamic with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 8.
"Frequency Response", "0,6 m (2 ft.) from sound source"; 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 user guide, p. 8.
"Polar Pattern"; two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, and 2500 to 9000 Hz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, centre -20 dB. Distance not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | Dualdyne cartridge: two ultra-thin diaphragms, one active and one passive, with an inverted (reversed side-entry) airflowFeatures: "Patented cartridge design featuring two ultra-thin diaphragms (one active and one passive) and groundbreaking inverted airflow system". The guide (p. 5) explains that sound enters at the side, passes the rear diaphragm and then strikes the front one. | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −51.5 dBV/Pa (2.66 mV/Pa)at 1 kHz, open circuit voltage. "-51.5 dBV/Pa (2.66 mV)". The guide (p. 8) prints "-51.5 dBV/Pa (1.85 mV)"; -51.5 dBV/Pa is 2.66 mV, so the guide's mV figure is a misprint. | |
| Output impedance | 300 ohmoutput impedance. "300 ohms". | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 16 kHz | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"Three-pin professional audio (XLR), male". | |
| Weight | 330 gnet. "330 g (11.64 oz.)". | |
| Finish | black paint (KSM8/B) or brushed nickel (KSM8/N)Available Models; housing "Die-cast Aluminum with Paint or Brushed Nickel Finish". | |
| Housing | Die-cast aluminium with paint or brushed nickel finish | |
| Grille | Dent-resistant hardened carbon-steel grille lined with hydrophobic woven fabric (permanently attached) | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3 | |
| Wireless capsules | RPW170 (brushed nickel) and RPW174 (black), for Shure handheld transmitters | |
| Optional accessories and replacement parts | A85WS black foam windscreen; RPM266 black grille; RPM268 brushed nickel grille | |
| From the user guide | ||
| Dimensions | 187.9 × 48.3 mmDimension drawing: length 187.9 mm (7.4 in.), grille diameter 48.3 mm (1.9 in.); the connector end is 20.3 mm (0.8 in.) across. | p. 8 |
| Supplied accessories | AK8C zippered carrying case; A25E soft-flex swivel stand adapter; 95A2050 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapterFurnished accessories; the spec sheet lists only AK8C and A25E. | p. 7 |
| Shock mount | Advanced pneumatic shock mount with the Diaphragm Stabilization System (DSS) | p. 6 |
| Working distanceShure | Balanced response from 0 to 6 in. (0-15 cm), where a traditional dynamic gains bass up close (0-1 in.) and loses it beyond 3 in. | |
Documents
- KSM8 Dualdyne Handheld Dynamic Vocal Microphone, Product Specifications
- KSM8 User Guide27A23175 Rev. 2
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.