Published on this page in the GuitarFella archive — what our editors chose at the time, not a lab test.
Last Updated: November-27-2018
In our latest refresh of this article on condenser mics in the sub-$200 range (aka, ‘the sweet spot’), we tweaked the content to bring it up to date, as well as changed a few models in our chart. We removed both the MXL 9000 and Blue Spark, and replaced them with the vocalist-friendly Blue Blackout Spark SL and a longstanding classic, the AKG C1000S.
Making the step up from an entry-level condenser microphone to one that comes in at around $200 can be a liberating experience. While they may not be
the best condenser mics on the market, the models in this range tend to deliver both a strong performance and impressive features – but still at a price that doesn’t ruin you financially!
In this article we are going to highlight our favorite picks in the under $200 category. We’ll take a look at them individually in their full reviews, while the rest of our guide is dedicated to taking a look at what you can expect from a $200 condenser microphone. Ready? Let’s begin!
Top 7 Condenser Microphones Under $200
What Exactly Does a $200 Condenser Mic Offer?
We often refer to condenser mics in the $200 range as ‘hitting the sweet spot’. This is because they tend to offer a lot more in terms of features and performance compared to those in the
entry-level range, yet not much less than those
mics costing around $300.
There are several benefits of owning a sub-$200 condenser mic, some of which we are about to address below:
Design
This is a diverse price range, with many different types of condenser mic out there. Just take a look at the chart and you can see standard side-address mics as well as front address and overhead mics. You will also begin to find condenser microphones designed for use on stage. The actual design of microphones also begins to become broader, with brands having more of a budget to work with and therefore being able to offer more creative and attractive mic designs – look at brands like Blue Microphones and you’ll see what we mean.
Features
The increase in the number of features on offer is another important advantage of spending up to $200 on a microphone, as it can drastically improve the mic’s flexibility. While features differ from brand to brand, you will often see both a built-in attenuation pad (usually between -10dB to -20dB) and a high or low pass filter included as standard in this price range.
The attenuation switch is added to allow you to record instruments with a naturally high volume. For example, you can record acoustic guitars with just about any condenser microphone out there, but recording a drumkit, electric guitar or brass instruments tends to be trickier. Having built-in attenuation allows you to reduce the input volume, and thus eliminate the risk of damaging the mic by pushing it past its SPL capabilities. Meanwhile, a high or low pass filter will cut certain frequencies (bass or treble), depending on the type you go for.
Polar Patterns
Following on from features, another thing you begin to see more of in this price range is the addition of different polar pattern options. While some are still fixed cardioid patterns – which is nothing to be concerned about as this is the most popular setup – some will give you the option to switch to other patterns. These may include supercardioid/hypercardioid (focusing the direction of sound even further than standard cardioid); omnidirectional (making the mic sensitive to sound coming from all directions), or figure-8 (sensitive to sound coming from the front and rear of the mic).
Overall Quality
To be honest, even microphones in the budget market feature a very good build quality these days, so you can expect to see more of the same as you step up into the $200 price range. With that said, the quality of the components used can be better, as you start running into better capsules, more delicate diaphragms and more refined performance curves. It is also worth mentioning that microphones from this segment of the market usually arrive with good shock mounts and other accessories.
Where Are $200 Condensers Mics Used?
The majority of mics costing $200 or less are well suited to home recording, although are often found in all degree of professional studios around the world. Ultimately, just because there are microphones out there with astronomical price tags, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get the job done on a budget! The mics in this price range work well and sound awesome, so even professional producers and engineers will opt for them.
However, before you dive in and buy one, you will need to determine which mic fits your needs. Each of these microphones was built to meet specific requirements, so not every mic will be suitable for your purpose.
Is your main goal to record a drumkit? You won’t want to opt for a side-address podcasting mic with a low max SPL. Looking to record an orchestra? You will probably need something with omnidirectional capabilities. If you are a stage vocalist, you will require a mic that can cope with the added pressures of live applications. Do a little bit of research and buying a mic in this range will be a lot easier, leaving you with something you are more likely to get a lot of use from.
The Final Word
Building a recording studio on a budget is becoming easier and easier every year, especially when you consider the quality of condenser mics on offer today. The models listed above are all suitable for various applications in both home and professional studios.
They may not be the greatest condenser mics ever built, but they undoubtedly represent the best in this price range. Just make sure you do your research and you will end up with a solid mic that will give you years of use.