AKG P220 condenser microphone: features and spec-based rating

AKG’s P220 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, P220 is rank B. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and B is third from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 3.0.

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.

Things to keep in mind

• Lightness (514 g, 1 point): It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy microphone stand.

Handling of loud sound is not scored because the manufacturer does not publish the number.

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.

Main features of P220

A large-diaphragm cardioid microphone

It is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone from AKG’s project studio series. The pickup pattern is cardioid (centered on the front) and the sensitivity is 20 mV/Pa.

Switches for the pad and low-cut

You can switch a −20 dB pad and a 300 Hz (12 dB/octave) low-cut. With the pad on, it is said to handle loud sounds of up to 155 dB SPL maximum.

A shock mount and case are included

A spider-type shock mount and a metal carrying case are included. The body weighs about 514 g and is on the heavy side, so a stable microphone stand or arm is a good fit.

Where it is useful

• Recording voices, such as cover songs and singing with a guitar
• When you record loud instruments such as guitar amps
• When you want to try an affordable large-diaphragm microphone with a pad and low-cut

Rating by criterion

Quietness: 3 / 5

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

P220: 16 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.

P220: 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: not scored

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

The manufacturer does not publish this number for the P220, so it is not scored.

Features: 4 / 5

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

P220: 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: 1 / 5

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

P220: 514 g. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy 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".

P220 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 (44 to 52 V, 3 mA or less) is required
In the box	Spider-type shock mount 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: Spider-type shock mount 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

• TLM 102: features and rating (rank B)
• AT4050: features and rating (rank B)
• C414 XLII: features and rating (rank S)
• C414 XLS: features and rating (rank S)