DJ Equipment Reviews

 

AKG C 451 B

Be Heard with AKG’s C 451 B Microphone

Remember in a similar DJ post that I said the AKG C100S is the best looking mic ever? If not, let me refresh your memory: Click Here.

Well, I take it back. Yup, I’m swallowing my words. While the AKG C100S is sleek, gorgeous, and durable, the AKG C-451 B microphone is so much better!

You can see the AKG C-451 B below: the design is sophisticated, yet solid and…what’s that word I always use? Oh yeah–durable. It’s a lot like its discontinued predecessor, the C-451 EB, but only better. Most of you may know the reliability of the C451EB, so I’m not surprised if a few working DJs choose not to believe that its successor is much better, if at all. Well, listen up: In most professional mics, the capsule is what makes one microphone stand out from another. In the C451EB, the capsule it harnessed was the CK-1, a vastly popular capsule which may have attributed greatly to the success and high demand of the C451EB (why the hell was it discontinued anyway???). Word on the street is, AKG brought together twelve of the BEST CK-1 cardioid capsules and put those suckers right into the pre-amp body of the C-451 B.

Now do you believe it’s better?

Then there’s the strength and stability AKG has designed all their microphones to harness over the past twenty or so years. The solid metallic body ensures strength under the worst external conditions, while the switchable high pass filter ceases low end distortion, and the light diaphragm allows it to tolerate all kinds of noises. So both internal and external complications are covered with the AKG C 451 B. Now check out that design!

The AKG C 451 B is designed with solid metal in a satin nicke polishing for EXTRA stability and pure aesthetics

 

But enough with the yapping. Let’s take a look at the features and specs of this bad boy.

Specifications:

• Polar pattern: cardioid
• Frequency range: 20–20,000 Hz
  
• Sensitivity: 9 mV/Pa (-41 dBV re 1 V/Pa)
  
• Max. SPL for 0.5 % THD:: 135/145/155 dB SPL (-0/-10/-20 dB)
  
• Equivalent noise level: 18 dB-A to DIN 45 412
  
• Signal/noise ratio (A-weighted): 76 dB
  
• Preattenuation pad: switchable, 0, -10,-20 dB
  
• Bass cut filter: switchable to flat or 12 dB/octave at 75 Hz or 150 Hz
  
• Electrical impedance: <200 O
  
• Recommended load impedance: >1.000 O
  
• Power requirement:9–52 Volt phantom power to DIN 45 596/IEC 268-15
  
• Current consumption: <2 mA
  
• Connector: 3-pin male XLR
  
• Finish: satin nickel plated
  
• Size : dia.: 190 mm (0.7 in.); length: 160 mm (6.3 in.)
  
• Net/shipping weight: 125/760 g (4.4 oz./1.7 lbs.)
  
• Standard accessories: W 90 windscreen, SA 40 stand adapter
  
• Optional accessories: B 18, H 50, SA 38/H, ST 45, ST 305

Features:

• Cardioid condenser mic with outstanding transient response
• Frequency range 20Hz-20kHz
• Sensitivity 9 mV/Pa (-41dBV)
• Max. SPL 135/145/155dB (0/-10/-20dB)
• Equivalent noise level (CCIR 468-3) 29dB
• Equivalent noise level 18dBA
• Signal/noise ratio (A-weighted) 76dB
• Preattenuation pad 0dB, -10dB, -20dB selectable
• Bass filter flat, 12dB/octave at 75 or 150Hz, selectable
• Impedance <200 ohms
• Recommended load impedance >1000 ohms
• Supply voltage 9 to 52 volts phantom power
• Current consumption <2 mA
• 3-pin XLR connector
• Satin nickel plated finish

The AKG C-451 B is stylish, rugged and can undoubtedly tolerate all the sounds you want, (and then some you don’t want) but there is one little flaw: the price. Not many DJs have the money to drop nearly $650 on a slender microphone, even if you’re a well established working DJ. So what can you do if you want the mic real bad, but you just don’t have the money? Luckily, the street price is pretty low, and when working DJs and musicians decide to shop around in the "right places" (not always the official web site), they’ll find the street price gets lower and lower. In essence, you might get lucky and snag the AKG C-451 B for a pretty low price.

 

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