AT Boundary mic comparison at DVinfo.net

Mark Whalen · April 10th, 2004, 07:16 AM

Hi all. I'm considering purchasing an AT871 boundary mic. I currently have an AT841 and an AT851. I like the unidirectional 851 a lot for recording conference room style setups, but would like a tad more natural sound - particularly in the low end.

The unidirectional AT871 seems to have a bit better frequency response than the 851. That being said, I was wondering if anyone has had experience with the 871. If so, what are your thoughts? Is it that perceptable a difference from the AT851?

Thanks in advance.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · April 10th, 2004, 04:50 PM

I've got experience with the 871 but not the 851. 871 is very smooth on the bottom, not empty like a lot of boundary mics seem to be built to compensate for the boom found in rooms. I can't offer comparitive advice, but....the 871 is a great mic. We found that we get a pretty nice improvement with a 1/16 rubber mat beneath it. Those mats you can buy to prevent your cell phone from sliding around your dashboard (checker autoparts) is great for semi-adhesive to the table top, making for a much tighter sound.

Mark Whalen · April 10th, 2004, 05:33 PM

Thanks for the input, DSE. The pointer about the rubber mat makes a lot of sense.

Even though I use boundary mics primarily for focus groups and depositions, I'd really like to get as full a sound as possible. The 871 seems to be a step up from the 851 I'm currently using.

Bryan Beasleigh · April 10th, 2004, 05:42 PM

The 871 appears to be the same capsule only with a self contained power module for phantom only and no low high pass.

The optional omni, hyper and subcardoid capsules are the same for both. the difference could be in the power module only.

You might be better off experimenting with the various capsules. they're only $55 each.

You might call the AT office and speak with one of their application people.

Mark Whalen · April 11th, 2004, 08:15 AM

Calling an AT application person sounds like a good idea, Brian. I'll do just that this week.

The cardoid capsules of the 851 and 871 may appear to be the same, but the frequency response seems to be much better on the AT871. Perhaps that's due to the larger, significantly heavier housing; I don't know. But I'm sure an application person can tell me.

Oleg Kaizerman · April 11th, 2004, 11:43 AM

http://www.sanken-mic.com/english/condenser/pdf/cub-01.pdf

thats one is much better

Douglas Spotted Eagle · April 11th, 2004, 08:34 PM

But how much is the Sanken Cub? I've searched several pages and can't find a price anywhere. Lots of rental costs, but nothing on MSRP or street.

Oleg Kaizerman · April 12th, 2004, 01:10 AM

http://atscomms.com/
www.trewaudio.com
www.coffeysound.com
has to be arround 500$, depends on the yen

Mark Whalen · August 4th, 2004, 05:15 PM

Wanted to follow up on this thread, as I went ahead and purchased the AT871 mic a few weeks ago.

I've had the opportunity to run tests and use the mic during actual projects. Although they're both unidirectional boundary mics, the larger and heavier AT871 appears to be better in both sound quality and output levels when compared to the AT851 (at least the 851 I have). The 871 produces a fuller sound, and seems to also have greater sensitivity. It'll certainly replace my AT851 as the 'go to' mic for certain recording situations, such as depositions and mic 1 of 2 for focus groups (of course, I'll keep the AT851 as a backup... you never know).

Thanks to all who initially responded to this thread. Hopefully this additional info will help.

April 10th, 2004, 07:16 AM	#1
Mark Whalen New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 24	AT Boundary mic comparison Hi all. I'm considering purchasing an AT871 boundary mic. I currently have an AT841 and an AT851. I like the unidirectional 851 a lot for recording conference room style setups, but would like a tad more natural sound - particularly in the low end. The unidirectional AT871 seems to have a bit better frequency response than the 851. That being said, I was wondering if anyone has had experience with the 871. If so, what are your thoughts? Is it that perceptable a difference from the AT851? Thanks in advance.

April 10th, 2004, 04:50 PM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	I've got experience with the 871 but not the 851. 871 is very smooth on the bottom, not empty like a lot of boundary mics seem to be built to compensate for the boom found in rooms. I can't offer comparitive advice, but....the 871 is a great mic. We found that we get a pretty nice improvement with a 1/16 rubber mat beneath it. Those mats you can buy to prevent your cell phone from sliding around your dashboard (checker autoparts) is great for semi-adhesive to the table top, making for a much tighter sound. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

April 11th, 2004, 08:34 PM	#7
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	But how much is the Sanken Cub? I've searched several pages and can't find a price anywhere. Lots of rental costs, but nothing on MSRP or street. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

August 4th, 2004, 05:15 PM	#9
Mark Whalen New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 24	AT Boundary mic comparison (follow up) Wanted to follow up on this thread, as I went ahead and purchased the AT871 mic a few weeks ago. I've had the opportunity to run tests and use the mic during actual projects. Although they're both unidirectional boundary mics, the larger and heavier AT871 appears to be better in both sound quality and output levels when compared to the AT851 (at least the 851 I have). The 871 produces a fuller sound, and seems to also have greater sensitivity. It'll certainly replace my AT851 as the 'go to' mic for certain recording situations, such as depositions and mic 1 of 2 for focus groups (of course, I'll keep the AT851 as a backup... you never know). Thanks to all who initially responded to this thread. Hopefully this additional info will help.

April 10th, 2004, 05:33 PM	#3
Mark Whalen New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 24	Thanks for the input, DSE. The pointer about the rubber mat makes a lot of sense. Even though I use boundary mics primarily for focus groups and depositions, I'd really like to get as full a sound as possible. The 871 seems to be a step up from the 851 I'm currently using.

April 10th, 2004, 05:42 PM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The 871 appears to be the same capsule only with a self contained power module for phantom only and no low high pass. The optional omni, hyper and subcardoid capsules are the same for both. the difference could be in the power module only. You might be better off experimenting with the various capsules. they're only $55 each. You might call the AT office and speak with one of their application people.

April 11th, 2004, 08:15 AM	#5
Mark Whalen New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 24	Calling an AT application person sounds like a good idea, Brian. I'll do just that this week. The cardoid capsules of the 851 and 871 may appear to be the same, but the frequency response seems to be much better on the AT871. Perhaps that's due to the larger, significantly heavier housing; I don't know. But I'm sure an application person can tell me.

April 11th, 2004, 11:43 AM	#6
Oleg Kaizerman Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: israel Posts: 296	http://www.sanken-mic.com/english/condenser/pdf/cub-01.pdf thats one is much better

April 12th, 2004, 01:10 AM	#8
Oleg Kaizerman Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: israel Posts: 296	http://atscomms.com/ www.trewaudio.com www.coffeysound.com has to be arround 500$, depends on the yen