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Mods for the 460
- Microphone Parts
MicParts offers a full suite of upgrades for the Apex 460 (and all other rebadged Alctron T11A microphones): C12 style grilles, upgraded K47, K67/K87, and CK12 style capsules, and two different circuits.
The “Fox 460” circuit is a massively upgraded CCDA topology, including a selected 6072 tube, custom-wound transformer, and a third-generation circuit made with the best parts on the market.
The “V-251” circuit is a single triode design with a T14 transformer.
Read more about Apex 460 upgrade options.
Pricing & Availability
- MSRP: $369
- Discontinued
Tags
Reviews & News
- R-F-T M16/Apex 460 Comparison
- MIX review, 2005-11
- DIY mod capsule choices
- Apex 460 internal temperatures
460 Documentation
Apex Electronics 460
Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone
The Apex 460 is a Chinese-made tube condenser microphone, usually considered by the audio community to be a rebadged Alctron HST-11A. Lookalike mics vary in capsule and component details; see, for example, the ShuaiYin SYT-1200.
The mic’s large-diaphragm capsule is a 32mm Chinese K67 copy, advertised as having 5-micron membranes although in reality this specification varies without notice.
The mic supports 9 polar patterns, switchable from the power supply.
MIX
At $229, the Apex 460 is a phenomenal buy.
This is one of many AKG C12 lookalikes, and is possibly one of the best-known and most widely available; as a result, much work has been done by hobbyists to mod this mic, such as replacing the capsule and transformer and some components on the circuit board.
The Apex 460’s early claim to fame was its appearance in a teardown analysis by StudioReviews.com, proving that the mic was identical to the original and short-lived 2005 edition of the R-F-T M16 — a mic costing (at the time) significantly more, and which was subsequently replaced by a significantly nicer product at the same price.
DIY enthusiasts often modify the 460 by replacing the capsule, tube, transformer, or even individual components on the circuit board. However, no such piecemeal approach is likely to correct all the known deficiencies of the mic, such as:
- Peaky-sounding capsule without corresponding corrective EQ in the circuit
- Oversized EMI caps that cause an unwanted 2-3dB boost in the high frequencies
- Insufficient QC of transformers allows significant variation in low-frequency distortion from one mic to the next
- Capsule voltage is too high
- Power filtering is insufficient
- Tube gain is too high
- Transformer ratio is incorrect
Although piecemeal component replacement can yield some improvement in the mic’s performance, it will very likely fall short of one of the full circuit replacement options described in the sidebar.
Permalink: Apex Electronics 460
The mic was released in 2003.
Specifications
| Frequency Response - OmnidirectionalClick Graph to Compare! |
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| Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare! |
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| Frequency Response - BidirectionalClick Graph to Compare! |
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| Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
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Omnidirectional
(14 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (14 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (14 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) |
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| Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
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| Diaphragm diameter: 25mm Capsule diameter: 32mm Diaphragm gauge: 5 microns |
200 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 125 dB |
| Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 824g (29.07oz) | 240mm (9.45'') | 46mm (1.81'') |
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| Power Specifications |
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