With just a handful of mics available, this obviously isn't a comprehensive shootout. The idea is to see what different classes of mics can do, from the expensive (Sennheiser) to the more budget-minded (CM4s), and even miniature mics.

XLR Mics


Front view of the test rig, with the DR-100, F6, and Røde NT5s set up.

Four stereo pairs of XLR mics were tested, all recorded into the Zoom F6. The three sets of ORTF mics all used the same Rycote softie windshields; the Clippys had their foam windshields with Rycote windjammers over them. The F6 was in 24-bit mode. Each recording was boosted in post to -24LUFS. The mics, the stereo configuration for each, and the amount of boost applied are shown here:

Mic Format Boost
Line Audio CM4 ORTF +22.65 dB
Røde NT5s ORTF +11.47 dB
Sennheiser MKH8040 ORTF +9.28 dB
Micbooster XLR Clippy EM172 AB +10.98 dB

Here are 1-minute excerpts from the recordings.

Line Audio CM4
Two Line Audio CM4s in an ORTF pair, with Softie windshields, recorded into the Zoom F6.

Røde NT5
Two Røde NT5s in an ORTF pair, with Softie windshields, recorded into the Zoom F6.

Sennheiser MKH8040
Two Sennheiser MKH8040s in an ORTF pair, with Softie windshields, recorded into the Zoom F6.

Micbooster XLR Clippy EM172
Two Micbooster XLR Clippy EM172s in an AB pair, with Rycote Windjammer windshields, recorded into the Zoom F6.