AKG C214 condenser microphone: features and spec-based rating

AKG’s C214 is a cardioid condenser microphone with XLR connection.

A condenser microphone records small sounds in fine detail. It is often used to record singing and narration.

In this article we rate it on 5 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 32 microphones we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 32 microphones, C214 is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 3.6.

Strengths

• Sensitivity (20 mV/Pa, 4 points): You get a solid level even from a softer voice.
• Features (2 of 3, 4 points): You can adjust to the sound you are recording with switches on the body.
• Lightness (280 g, 5 points): It is light, so there is little load on the microphone stand.

Things to keep in mind

• Handling of loud sound (136 dB, 2 points): Take care with very loud voices, which can distort.

Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people with a softer voice who still want a solid recording level; people who want to adjust the recording with switches on the body, such as the pad and low-cut; people who want to go easy on the microphone stand.

Main features of C214

A cardioid-only design that follows the C414

According to the official data sheet, it is based on the design of AKG’s standard C414, with a single diaphragm and only a cardioid pickup pattern (centered on the front). It has a 1-inch large diaphragm, and the body is light at about 280 g.

Switches for the pad and low-cut

A 20 dB pad and a 160 Hz (6 dB/octave) low-cut can be switched on the body. With the pad on, it handles up to 156 dB SPL maximum; without the pad it is 136 dB SPL.

A shock mount and case are included

A spider-type shock mount (H85), a windscreen and a metal carrying case are included. The microphone also has a built-in capsule suspension that reduces the effect of vibration.

Where it is useful

• Recording voices, such as cover songs and narration
• Recording instruments such as acoustic guitar
• When you want to use the pad to record louder sounds up close

Rating by criterion

Quietness: 3 / 5

How little of the small hiss the microphone itself makes (self-noise). The smaller the number, the quieter.

C214: 13 dB(A). That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Sensitivity: 4 / 5

How large a signal the same voice produces (sensitivity). The bigger the number, the easier it is to get a good level from a quiet voice.

C214: 20 mV/Pa. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You get a solid level even from a softer voice.

Handling of loud sound: 2 / 5

How loud a sound it can record without distortion (maximum SPL).

C214: 136 dB. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. Take care with very loud voices, which can distort.

Features: 4 / 5

How many of the pad (lowers loud sound), low-cut (reduces low noise) and pickup-pattern switch it has.

C214: 2 of 3. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You can adjust to the sound you are recording with switches on the body.

Lightness: 5 / 5

The weight of the microphone. The lighter it is, the less load on the microphone stand.

C214: 280 g. That is a high rating among the products we compared. It is light, so there is little load on the microphone stand.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 32 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (Microphones)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Quietness	Self-noise	≤7	≤12	≤16	≤20	>20
Sensitivity	Sensitivity	≥25	≥20	≥15	≥10	<10
Handling of loud sound	Maximum SPL (without the pad)	≥148	≥144	≥140	≥135	<135
Features	Pad, low-cut and pickup-pattern switch	All 3	2	1	—	None
Lightness	Weight	≤300	≤350	≤400	≤450	>450

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. Items that are not disclosed are not scored, and the rank is based on the average of the remaining items. Where a model publishes only the signal-to-noise ratio and not the self-noise, the self-noise is converted as "94 minus the signal-to-noise ratio".

C214 connection and getting started

Connection	XLR (3-pin). Connect it to the microphone input of an audio interface or mixer (it cannot connect to a computer directly by USB)
Power	Phantom power (12 to 52 V, IEC 61938) is required
In the box	Shock mount H85, windscreen and metal carrying case (an XLR cable is not included)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on October 18, 2026.

Compared with other microphones

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It needs phantom power (+48 V). This is an XLR condenser microphone, so connect it to an audio interface or mixer that can supply phantom power.
• Check what comes in the box. The manufacturer lists: Shock mount H85, windscreen and metal carrying case (an XLR cable is not included). Anything not on that list (a shock mount, a pop filter, cables and so on) you need to prepare separately.
• It has a pad and low-cut switch. When loud sound would distort, or when you want to reduce low noise (such as an air conditioner), you can adjust it on the microphone itself.

Read next

• NT1 5th Gen: features and rating (rank A)
• AT4040: features and rating (rank A)
• C414 XLII: features and rating (rank S)
• C414 XLS: features and rating (rank S)