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MXL 890

Pricing & Availability

  • MSRP: $249

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CardioidMXL 890

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Billed as a “critical vocal microphone,” the MXL 890 is a large-diaphragm condenser with a fixed Cardioid polar pattern and high output.

The mic’s published sensitivity figure is 25mV/Pa, which helps lower the effective noise floor of the microphone (14dBA).

The capsule appears to be MXL’s standard 32mm K67, although in the sample we tested, the frequency response was slightly different than typical — although this might be due to the 890’s larger body and grille, or to circuit differences.

MXL 890 circuit The circuit is transformerless. It is implemented with a combination of surface-mount and through-hole components, plus three integrated circuit chips. The electrolytic capacitors are high quality Nichicon types.

The capsule polarization voltage in our sample mic was very high, 70VDC. Voltage is supplied to the backplate.

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Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (25 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 26mm
Capsule diameter: 32mm
Diaphragm gauge: 6 microns
150 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 138 dB
Self-noise: 14.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
840g (29.63oz) 185mm (7.28'') 65mm (2.56'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power

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