The Best Boundary Microphone
Table of Contents
Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Boundary Microphone
An excellent microphone can make or break the audio and video of various applications. Not many people think of it much but a premium boundary microphone can help your voice stand out among others.
When giving public speeches or recording group meetings, we want to go hands-free and have a mic or recording device that isn’t intrusive. Boundary microphones, also known as pressure zone microphones or PZM microphones, are incredibly useful for such situations. You’ll want a durable boundary mic with amazing sound quality, a high voice recognition system, wide frequency response, a self-gain optimization feature, and noise cancellation if you constantly need to record business meetings, on-stage speeches, specific instruments, and more.
Are you determined to know the premier boundary mics on the market and what fits your needs? We covered the best boundary mic for you in this guide. Read through and find the one you’ll love the most.
What are the Top Boundary Microphones?
Editor's Choice  Best Overall |  Most Versatile |  Best for Instrumentals |
Audio-Technica PRO 44If you are looking for a durable mic with fantastic sound quality, the Audio-Technica PRO 44 is the best pick. | Audix ADX60This mic is made for those wanting a more attractive and durable build perfect for multiple types of usage. The ADX60 is quite durable as the grill is made of steel mesh. | Crown PZM30DThe Crown PZM30D is an omnidirectional mic that is easily customizable and has two frequency ranges. This is perfect for orchestras, instrumental, and more. |
Sound Quality:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Sound Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Sound Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Features:⭐⭐⭐⭐
|
Let’s Go Over Each Top Boundary Microphone
#1: Audio-Technica PRO 44
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
From one of the best audio equipment brands around, the PRO 44 is a very popular pressure zone mic that is multifaceted and incredibly reliable. The mic has a cardioid polar pattern and wide-scope condenser element with a low-mass diaphragm for superior performance, with self-contained electronics.
It has a frequency response of 70Hz to 16kHz and a maximum SPL of 114dB, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 66 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa. It has a very low profile body for minimum visibility, resulting in much better sound quality.
This mic also has a rugged look and reliable construction as well. With a wide frequency response, the small diaphragm of the mic allows it to produce crisp and clear audio quality, perfect for professional meetings, lectures, conference halls, and even instrumental recordings.
For an all-around mic, this is the best pressure zone mic you could get your hands on in the industry; it’s truly worthy of all the praise it’s receiving.
Pros and Cons of PRO 44
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Applicable for various scenarios ✔ Low background ambient noise ✔ Excellent sound quality ✔ Durable and sleek design ✔ Reasonable price ✔ Also used for kick drums | ✖️ Lacks minimum frequency response |
#2. Audix ADX60
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Audix ADX60 is made for those wanting a more attractive and durable build that is perfect for multiple types of usage.
The Audix ADX60 is reliable as the grill is made of steel mesh. It features high sensitivity and the ability to handle large amounts of distance and acoustics, amplifying both voice and instruments at a highly increased range.
You’ll find that the Audix ADX60 is a superb mic that you could choose for an array of settings, whether you’re in the music industry, speaking on a stage to larger audiences, or even conducting meetings in conference rooms. The Audix ADX60 features an attractive body with its sleek black outer surface.
Pros and Cons of Audix ADX60
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Large area coverage ✔ Durable and sleek design ✔ Excellent sound quality | ✘ High sensitivity to loud noise |
#3. Crown PZM30D
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Crown PZM30D is the industry standard mic recommended by professional audio engineers. This mic contains a bass-tilt switch that enables the user to adjust its low-end response to whatever application aligns with it, allowing for more custom tweaking.
This mic has two frequency responses of 20Hz to 20kHz, two selectable frequency responses, and a maximum sound pressure level of 150dB. When positioned close against a surface, the mic capsule will pick up sound waves, yielding a stronger mic signal with less phase cancellation and coloration. This gear is compatible with both Mac and Windows.
In comparison to other microphones, this Crown PZM does have a wide frequency range and hemispherical polar pattern. The hemispherical polar pattern is perfect whether you’re micing a room for individual instruments, full orchestras, or speech, the Crown PZM30D is a top recommendation.
Pros and Cons of Crown PZM30D
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Affordable price ✔ Wide frequency response ✔ USB connectivity | ✘ High sensitivity. Not recommended for instrumentals |
#4. Shure MX391/0
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
From the creator of the famous Shure SM58, the Shure MX391/0 has an Omnidirectional polar pattern and is an Omnidirectional condenser microphone with XLR connectivity.
The main grab of the MX391/0 is the flat frequency response, noise cancellation, and no RF interference. It also features a sleek, low-profile style for a discreet appearance, making this mic stand out from the competitors.
Microphones with XLR connectivity and omnidirectional pickup patterns are excellent for catching sound from all directions in a room. This MX391/0 is an exceptional gear that features a solid look, wide frequency range, and transformerless output for increased immunity to noise over long cable runs.
Pros and Cons of Shure MX391/0
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Durable and sleek design ✔ Flat frequency response ✔ Captures a wide area | ✘ Less features compared to other microphones ✘ Configuration may be a little complicated |
#5. Movo MC1000
Functionality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Movo MC1000 is a directional polar pattern conference mic ideal for webinars, class conferences, or business calls, as it is equipped with three audio capsules.
Audio engineers recommend this mic as it has a 180-degree wide coverage capacity, able to pick up sounds within a 6-meter radius. This makes the MC1000 an excellent boundary mic for the workplace, content interviews, meetings, and conference areas.
Utilizing a super-cardioid polar pattern, this USB microphone has a speaker monitoring jack for live audio monitoring and instant USB connectivity. If you’re looking to create a more successful business meeting, this Movo MC1000 will help quite a bit.
Pros and Cons of Movo MC1000
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Features a USB connectivity and headphone monitoring jack ✔ Sleek body ✔ Can cover a wide scope of space ✔ Affordable price point | ✘ Cannot connect with PC speaker |
What is a Boundary Layer Microphone?
A boundary microphone is a small diaphragm condenser mic capsule that is mounted into a housing to lay on or attached to flat surfaces that are sturdy enough to experience fewer falls. You may have heard others call them a pressure zone microphone or PZM mic. This kind of microphone is typically compact but can record vast distances, usually with a cardioid or supercardioid polar pattern.
Pressure zone microphones are used for picking up multiple audio sources in a room. Ideally, the best place to put a boundary microphone is on a flat area, like a wall or a table. This is because it is made specifically to pick up sound that is reflected off the desired surface it’s on.
A lot of premium quality microphones are most commonly found in settings like business meetings, but they can also be seen in other applications such as churches, sports (like hockey boards for body check sound effects), small musical ensembles, stage presentations, and more.
What are Boundary Mics Good For?
Boundary microphones are designed to record audio within a specific area, making them a versatile pick for a variety of applications. PZM mics are ideal for:
- Conferences and meetings. Premium microphones record high-quality audio, improve speech intelligibility, and reduce background noise.
- They are also used by music artists to record audio in any room. As these mics provide clean audio, artists can perform using instruments easily.
- Capturing audio for live events, performances, or on-stage presentations with great care in order to deliver high-quality audio and amplify sound for audience members. This is perfect for a boundary mic that has an impressive frequency response.
- Sound reinforcement. They enhance the audio quality of video recordings, providing comprehensible and natural audio for video content. Using a condenser pressure zone mic provides much better sound optimization.
- Providing directional audio pickup in noisy or reverberant environments, reducing ambient noise and room acoustics. Users with excellent control ideas can gain control of the different sounds that the mic records in the small space, significantly lowering unwanted noise.
Where Do You Put Boundary Mics?
Boundary microphones are placed very close to a plate or boundary to collect audio effectively at the point where it has reflected off the boundary and is then moving away from the surface as more sound approaches. In simpler terms, boundary microphones are typically placed on flat surfaces such as tabletops, walls, and floors.
In meeting rooms, they either lie on the table or are installed on the tabletop. Their unobtrusive look allows participants to look at each other without a huge piece of a microphone blocking the view. These microphones allow clean and comprehensive audio transmission in conference rooms, guaranteeing participants to be heard without their voices being muddled.
For drum use, PZM microphones are placed inside the kick drum through a porthole in the resonant head. Some audio engineers use this as the primary drum microphone, while other engineers pair it as a supplemental microphone mixed with the primary one. Some also use PZM microphones as an overhead mic for drums in order to increase the low-end response.
Do Boundary Mics Need Phantom Power?
A condenser pressure zone mic does in fact require a phantom power supply to function, as the mic needs current to create a voltage that powers the internal circuitry, unlike dynamic and ribbon mics which make their own current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mic is nice for outdoor recording?
While a pressure zone mic works fantastically for indoor settings, it may not be as reliable outdoors. Instead, consider dynamic microphone models which can capture the speaker while controlling ambient noise effectively.
Which mic is excellent for distance?
A shotgun mic is one of the top microphones for capturing audio from a distance, as they have a directional pickup pattern and are able to focus on a specific source of sound while rejecting background noise.
What type of mic is best for dialogue?
Dynamic microphones with an omnidirectional pattern are great for recording dialogue in outdoor settings. For indoor recordings, a large-diaphragm condenser mic works well.
What is the 3 to 1 rule for choir microphones?
For choir microphones, generally, the mics are positioned 2 to 3 feet from the front row singers. The microphones to the side should be moved thrice the distance of the front ones.
What type of microphone has excellent sound quality?
There is no single answer to this question as it varies depending on a lot of factors. First, it’s important to know what you’ll use the microphone for. From there, you need to determine your budget, what type of microphone you prefer, the type of connectivity, polar patterns, and many more.
What is an exceptional brand of boundary microphone?
We’ve rounded up the most excellent boundary microphones in this guide but some other brands that have impressive models are Radio Shack and Sennheiser. Many audio engineers recommend Radio Shack and Sennheiser for miking up drums, conferences, classes, seminars, and the like.
Final Note
Whether you’re a public speaker, teaching lectures, working in conference calls, or performing music, pressure zone microphones are a fantastic and relatively inexpensive means to record larger spaces with high-quality sound. It can be difficult to determine which mic is superb to enhance the experience of both you and the audience.
Fortunately, if you’re on the hunt for a new mic that can serve you multiple or specific purposes, we decided on the top ones for you! This list has more than a handful of boundary mics you can choose from at costs you can afford.
Editor’s Choice
Audio-Technica PRO 44
Without question, one of the most exceptional offerings from A-T is the PRO 44. While the PRO 44 is ideally used for conferences, this versatile mic is also loved by a lot of musicians and audio engineers as a drum recording mic.
The PRO 44 has a low profile that allows it to be placed close to kick drums, on podiums, lecterns, and the like, without anyone noticing. It’s equipped with a condenser element that can pick up a wide scope of space and a low-mass diaphragm for outstanding performance.
The mic also has self-contained electronics, eliminating the need for external power modules. This excellent piece of gear also has a rugged look and construction, ensuring that it will last long.
