AKG C414 XLII condenser microphone: features and spec-based rating

AKG’s C414 XLII is a switchable-pattern 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, C414 XLII is rank S. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and S is the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 4.4.

Strengths

• Quietness (6 dB(A), 5 points): The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.
• Sensitivity (23 mV/Pa, 4 points): You get a solid level even from a softer voice.
• Features (3 of 3, 5 points): You can adjust to the sound you are recording with switches on the body.
• Lightness (300 g, 5 points): It is light, so there is little load on the microphone stand.

Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people who want to record quiet voices and whispers cleanly; 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.

Main features of C414 XLII

Nine pickup patterns to choose from

You can choose from nine pickup patterns (which directions it picks up sound from) to suit what you are recording. A lock mode can also stop the switches on the body from being operated.

Three steps each of low-cut and pre-attenuation

The low-cut can be set to 40 Hz and 80 Hz (12 dB/octave) or 160 Hz (6 dB/octave), and the pre-attenuation (a function that lowers the input) to −6 dB, −12 dB or −18 dB. The maximum SPL is 140 dB at 0 dB and 158 dB at −18 dB.

The successor to the C414 B-TL II, carrying on the sound character of the C12

The official data sheet describes it as a model with a sound character related to the famous C12, which makes it easy to bring vocals and solo instruments forward in a mix. A case, pop filter, windscreen and spider-type shock mount are included.

Where it is useful

• Recording vocals and narration
• Recording instruments, such as drum overheads
• When you want to try different pickup patterns and compare ways of recording

Rating by criterion

Quietness: 5 / 5

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

C414 XLII: 6 dB(A). That is a high rating among the products we compared. The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.

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.

C414 XLII: 23 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: 3 / 5

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

C414 XLII: 140 dB. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Features: 5 / 5

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

C414 XLII: 3 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.

C414 XLII: 300 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".

C414 XLII 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 (48 V, about 4.5 mA) is required
In the box	Carrying case, pop filter, windscreen and spider-type shock mount (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: Carrying case, pop filter, windscreen and spider-type shock mount (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

• C414 XLS: features and rating (rank S)
• NT1 5th Gen: features and rating (rank A)
• AT4040: features and rating (rank A)
• AT2035: features and rating (rank A)