Shure
Shure MX185
Cardioid electret condenser lavalier (Microflex MX100 series), interchangeable cartridge, phantom-powered in-line preamp
Power 11 to 52 V DC phantom.
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −35 dBV/Pa
- Among 311 mics: more output than 75%
- Self-noise
- 28 dB(A)
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 5%
- Max SPL
- 124.2 dB SPL
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 8%
- Rated range
- 50 – 17k Hz
vs 204 condensers
More output than 64% of 204 condensers.
Each stripe is one condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 258 condensers
Quieter than 5% of 258 condensers.
Each stripe is one condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 277 condensers
Takes louder sound than 9% of 277 condensers.
Each stripe is one 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
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 3.
Figure 2 "Typical frequency response", cardioid (MX185); relative dB. Distance, 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. 3.
Figure 3 "Typical polar patterns", cardioid (MX185); two circles (250 Hz to 1 kHz, 2500 Hz to 10 kHz), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring, outer ring 0 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | interchangeable cartridge; cardioid R185BReplacement parts: cardioid cartridge R185B (omni R183B and supercardioid R184B also fit). | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −35 dBV/Pa (17 mV/Pa)1 kHz, open circuit; also −35 dBV/Pa, current user guide: "–35 dBV/Pa (18 mV)". "Open Circuit Sensitivity (at 1 kHz, ref. 1V/Pascal) ... MX185: –35.0 dB (17.0 mV)". | p. 1 |
| Self-noise | 28 dB(A)equivalent output noise, A-weighted; also 28 dB(A), current user guide, "Self Noise, A-weighted" | |
| Max SPL | 124.2 dB SPL1 kHz at 1% THD, 1 kΩ load; also 124 dB SPL, current user guide | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 66 dBref. 94 dB SPL | |
| Dynamic range | 96.2 dBat 1 kΩ load; also 96 dB, current user guide, 1 kΩ load, at 1 kHz | |
| Output impedance | 180 ohmactual; EIA rated at 150 ohm. "EIA rated at 150 Ω (180 Ω actual)"; the current guide gives 180 Ω. | |
| Rated frequency range | 50 Hz to 17 kHz"50 to 17,000 Hz". | |
| Powering | 11 to 52 V DC phantom"11 to 52 Vdc phantom, 2.0 mA". | |
| Current draw | 2 mA | |
| Connector | TA4F (4-pin mini) at the end of the 1.2 m mic cable; XLR via the RK183PK in-line phantom preamp"Shielded 1.2 meter (4 ft.) cable terminated with a 4-Pin Female Mini Connector (TA4F)"; "Preamp Kit (Phantom) RK183PK" in the replacement parts. | p. 2 |
| Dimensions | 12 × 22 mmFigure 1: the mic head 12 mm across and 22 mm long; the preamp 99 mm long, 20 x 19 mm. | |
| Supplied accessories | snap-fit windscreen RK183WS; small foam windscreen RK261WS; tie clip RK183T1; dual tie clip RK183T2Replacement parts list; the overview says a snap-fit foam windscreen and a dual tie clip are supplied (p. 1). | |
| Pickup angle | 130° (–3 dB) | p. 1 |
| Output | Balanced, transformerless (active balanced) | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3 of the XLR | p. 2 |
| Operating temperature | –18 to 57 °C | |
| Storage temperature | –29 to 74 °C | |
| Replacement parts | Preamp kit (phantom) RK183PK; battery/phantom preamp MX1BP; connector TA4F WA330; cable C122 | |
| From the user guide | ||
| Common mode rejection | 45 dB minimum (10 Hz to 100 kHz) | p. 6 |
| Clipping level | –6 dBV (0.5 V) at 1% THD | |
| Relative humidity | 0–95% | |
| Windscreens | Snap-fit windscreen: 30 dB of "pop" protection; foam windscreen: 5 to 10 dB | p. 4 |
| PlacementShure | About 76 to 152 mm (3 to 6 in.) below the neckline; a windscreen is "highly recommended" | |
| RF immunity | Use with the RK100PK or RK202PK plate-mounted preamp to optimise RF immunity | |
Documents
- Model MX183, MX184, MX185 Microphones, Specification Sheet
- MX100 Series Lavalier Microphones, online user guideversion 3.1, 2026-E
- MX185 Cardioid Lavalier Microphone | Shure USAproduct page
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.