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Earthworks Audio SR30

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The SR30 is a cardioid condenser microphone with extremely flat frequency response across an extended frequency range, and Earthworks’ trademark “fast impulse response” capsule.

The mic was initially introduced in 2000, as the SR77. According to Earthworks, the two mics are the same.

The SR77 is reportedly identical internally to an older mic, Earthworks’ Z30X. According to Electronic Musician, the Z30X had a 3-piece stainless-steel body, whereas the SR77 packaged the same capsule and electronics into a 1-piece aluminum body that could be produced more easily.

See the Z30X profile for reviews.

The mic’s physical housing, particularly the internal components engineered to produce a consistent Cardioid polar response, are covered by David Blackmer’s July, 2000 patent #6,091,829. The patent describes a conical, tapered structure behind the capsule, which serves multiple benefits to the mic’s polar response.

Patent 6,091,829

The tapered structure has a generally conic shape to provide a gradually increasing acoustic impedance… [it] preferentially collects signal components from behind the microphone and ducts them into the rear ports of the [capsule]; and guides reflected, unwanted signals outwardly and away…

[It] improves the front frequency response of the microphone, and [provides] more-effective rear-port signal cancellation, thereby providing a better front-to-back signal ratio than provided in the prior art.

How does the SR30 differ from the SR25?

	SR25	SR30
Sensitivity	10 mV/Pa	10 mV/Pa
Frequency Response	50 - 25,000 Hz ±2dB	30 - 30,000 Hz ±1.5dB
Self-Noise	22 dBA	22 dBA
Max SPL	145dB	145dB
Length	165mm	212mm
Weight	160g	225g
MSRP (2010)	$795	$1095

The SR30 is also available in matched pairs; the pair of mics ships with two mic clips in a cherry-wood box.

Electronic Musician, 2000

[T]he SR77 maintained its reputation for capturing realistic, uncolored sound with exceptional dynamic response. However, compared to some of the other mics’ tracks, the realism was not always flattering to the source.

The Earthworks Audio SR30 is also known as: SR77, SR-30.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Cardioid (10 mV/Pa; 30 - 30,000 Hz)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Capsule diameter: 9mm	100 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 145 dB Self-noise: 22.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
225g (7.94oz)	212mm (8.35'')	22mm (0.87'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48v

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