Lav Mic Comparison
 

I will reveal the mics and their cost in a few days.

First round was in my office with nothing but my PC fan. Second round I played some crowd chatter on a loop and stood about 6 feet from the speakers.

When connecting each mic, I adjusted the recording level on my Tascam DR-05 so they were at their max, just before clipping point.

Feel free to give your thoughts, or rank them.


P.S. None of these are beyond $250/£160. No Trams or Sankens here!

Re: Lav Mic Comparison
 

2 & 3 sound best to me, about the same. Didn't care as much for the others.

Re: Lav Mic Comparison
 

Doesn't look like too many are interested! But it may serve it's purpose for those stumbling on this thread in times to come...

Here are the mics I tested:

1 - Olympus ME-15 £19
2 - JK MicJ 044 - £22
3 - Azden EX-503 £26
4 - Giant Squid Audio Lav £36
5 - Rode Smarlav+ (inc adaptor) £53
6 - Rode Lavalier microphone (inc adaptor) £159

Personal preference all things considered is the MicJ. Its super neat and tiny, and seems well made. I see no reason at all to spend Over £100 extra to get the Rode Lavalier Microphone over the Rode Smartlav+.

Re: Lav Mic Comparison
 

#1 for the Azden - I've just ordered a couple :)

Re: Lav Mic Comparison
 

Interesting test, I'd guess we all hear it a little different from each other and have personal preferences, No2 (JK MicJ 044) sounded just a little cleaner without being 'tinny' and without too much bass, it also rejected the background noise a little better....but then I've been using one for 4 months with a Zoom H1.

Re: Lav Mic Comparison
 

A re-test of the mics in a room with no PC fan, and recorded at lower input level, and boosted in post.

The Olympus and Giant Squid I already own - of the rest I think I may return them all bar the JK MicJ. Thoughts?

Re: Lav Mic Comparison
 

Giant squid worked best for me