AKG C414 XLII Matched Pair Matched Pair Stereo Set
Description
AKG C414 XLII Matched Pair Stereo Set
The C414 XLII is a precision large-diaphragm condenser built for the demands of professional recording. This matched pair captures transparent, detailed source material across vocals, instruments, and ambient recording applications, making it the foundation microphone for studios tracking everything from lead vocals to drum overheads and room ambience. The all-metal construction ensures RF rejection and durability through countless sessions, while the intuitive pad and filter controls enable fast, surgical gain-staging adjustments between takes.
Sonic Performance & Transducer Design
Built on a 1" edge-terminated dual-diaphragm design, the C414 XLII resolves exceptional detail with a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response and a 134 dB dynamic range. The 6 dB-A equivalent noise floor keeps the noise profile invisible on dense mixes, even when recording sources at whisper levels, while maximum SPL ratings from 140 to 158 dB (depending on pad setting) accommodate everything from delicate vocal textures to transient-rich snare and guitar amp captures without clipping or character collapse.
Studio Flexibility & Mix-Ready Control
Nine polar patterns—omnidirectional, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure eight, and four intermediate settings—let engineers shape the source's proximity and room interaction on the fly. Three pad settings (-6, -12, -18 dB) and switchable bass-cut filters (40 Hz, 80 Hz, and 160 Hz) provide precise control over proximity bass and low-frequency rumble, critical for tight vocal chains and clean drum bus recordings, while the peak hold LED gives clear visual feedback on transient headroom and precise gain structure during tracking.
Key Features
- 9 switchable polar patterns: omnidirectional, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure eight, and 4 intermediate settings
- Maximum SPL: 140/146/152/158 dB (at 0/-6/-12/-18 dB pad settings) for 0.5% THD
- Equivalent noise level: 6 dB-A at 0 dB preattenuation (IEC 60268-4)
- Dynamic range: 134 dB; frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- 1" edge-terminated dual-diaphragm transducer
- Three attenuation pad settings: -6, -12, and -18 dB
- Bass-cut filters: 12 dB/octave at 40 Hz and 80 Hz; 6 dB/octave at 160 Hz
- All-metal construction for RF interference rejection
- Peak hold LED for visual overload indication
- Matched pair within 1 dB sensitivity and 1 dB frequency response (300 Hz–8 kHz, cardioid mode)
- Operates on 48V phantom power
- Includes two shockmounts, two windscreens, stereo bar, and aluminum flight case per pair
This matched pair delivers the studio-grade transparency and reliability essential to critical stereo recording, with the precision engineering and acoustic flexibility that has made the C414 XLII the standard across decades of professional tracking and mixing work.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Country of Manufacture | Austria |
Reviews
At a Glance
The AKG C414 XLII matched pair is a precision large-diaphragm condenser engineered for transparent, detailed stereo and mono recording across vocals, instruments, and ambience in professional and home studios. Its nine polar patterns, three pad settings (-6, -12, -18 dB), and three switchable bass-cut filters (40 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz) give you surgical control over proximity bass, rumble, and gain staging, while a 6 dB-A noise floor and 134 dB dynamic range ensure clean, articulate captures at any level. Matched within 1 dB sensitivity and frequency response, this pair is the standard for stereo recording, vocal overdubs, instrument miking, and room ambience across decades of professional production.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Live Performance
- ✓ Home Recording
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the matched pair?
The set includes two AKG C414 XLII microphones matched within 1 dB sensitivity and 1 dB frequency response (300 Hz–8 kHz, cardioid mode), two shockmounts, two windscreens, a stereo bar, and an aluminum flight case for transport and storage.
Can these microphones handle loud sources like drums and guitar amps?
Yes. The C414 XLII delivers maximum SPL ratings from 140 to 158 dB depending on pad setting (-6, -12, -18 dB), so it handles snare cracks, guitar amps, and other high-pressure sources without distortion.
How do the polar patterns and filters help with recording flexibility?
Nine switchable polar patterns (omnidirectional, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-eight, and four intermediate settings) adapt to different sources and room acoustics, while three bass-cut filters (40 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz) remove proximity bass and rumble for cleaner recordings.
What is the noise floor, and is it suitable for low-level recording?
The equivalent noise level is 6 dB-A at 0 dB preattenuation, which ensures clean recordings even when capturing delicate sources like vocals and acoustic instruments at lower levels.
How does this compare to other professional large-diaphragm condensers?
The C414 XLII competes with microphones like the Neumann U87 AI, Shure KSM141, and Audio-Technica AT4050; it stands out for its nine polar patterns, flexible pad and filter controls, and proven track record across studio, live, and broadcast applications.