3059X00060 vs 3361H00250-B — Compare
AKG C414 XLII Reference Multipattern Condenser Microphone vs AKG CS3 BU Conference Base Unit (Old Sku: 3361H00010) B-Stock
The C414 XLII is a professional studio and live performance condenser microphone for capturing vocals and instruments with articulate detail, while the CS3 BU is a conference system base unit for managing large-scale meeting setups with multiple microphones. Choose the C414 XLII if you record music; choose the CS3 BU if you operate corporate or hybrid meeting environments.
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AKG C414 XLII Reference Multipattern Condenser Microphone
AKG CS3 BU Conference Base Unit (Old Sku: 3361H00010) B-Stock
Specs side by side
| AKG C414 XLII Reference Multipattern Condenser Microphone | AKG CS3 BU Conference Base Unit (Old Sku: 3361H00010) B-Stock | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,299.00 | $1,277.60 |
| Brand | AKG | AKG |
| Condition | New | Refurbished |
Why choose AKG C414 XLII Reference Multipattern Condenser Microphone
- ✓ Switchable multipattern design (cardioid, omnidirectional, etc.) for versatile studio and live use
- ✓ 1-inch dual-diaphragm transducer with presence peak at 3 kHz delivers articulate vocal and instrument capture
- ✓ High maximum SPL (140 dB, 158 dB with pad) and 88 dB-A noise floor handle delicate and loud sources
- ✓ Switchable attenuation pad and low-cut filter for precise proximity effect and feedback control
Why choose AKG CS3 BU Conference Base Unit (Old Sku: 3361H00010) B-Stock
- ✓ Manages up to 60 microphone stations in a single compact 19-inch rack unit
- ✓ Four operating modes (Override, Normal, Free, Request) with selectable NOM limits for flexible meeting formats
- ✓ RS-232 interface enables integration with camera control systems for hybrid meeting environments
- ✓ Efficient power draw (13W static, 320W nominal) keeps operational costs and heat generation low
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the C414 XLII in a conference room or the CS3 BU in a music studio?
The C414 XLII is designed as a studio and live performance condenser microphone optimized for capturing vocals and instruments with high clarity and presence; using it in a conference would underutilize its capabilities. The CS3 BU is a control hub for conference microphone systems, not a standalone recording microphone, and has no audio input—it routes and manages signals from external mics.
What is the main technical difference between these two products?
The C414 XLII is a microphone transducer with a 1-inch dual-diaphragm capsule, switchable patterns, and analog audio output for recording or live amplification. The CS3 BU is a digital conference control base unit that accepts signals from up to 60 wired microphones, manages open-mic limits, and routes audio through an RS-232 network—it does not capture or transmit audio on its own.
Which is better for speech clarity in meetings?
The CS3 BU is engineered specifically for conference audio management with transparent, clean speech delivery and selectable operating modes to control feedback and overlap in large meeting spaces. The C414 XLII, while capable of capturing speech, is a general-purpose studio microphone not designed to manage the logistical and technical demands of multi-microphone conference systems.
Are these products compatible with each other?
They serve entirely different roles in different applications—the C414 XLII is a source microphone (it captures sound) and the CS3 BU is a system controller (it manages multiple microphones electronically). They could theoretically be part of the same large conference system if the C414 XLII were one of up to 60 microphones connected to the CS3 BU, but neither product is designed for that integration.