What is Microphone Sensitivity?

In simple terms, it’s the relationship between the input (sound pressure in Pascals) and the output (voltage in millivolts).

A high-sensitivity microphone produces a bigger signal from the same sound, making it great for quiet environments. Low-sensitivity microphones handle much louder sounds without distortion, which is why they’re used in noisy places like factories or concerts. In this video, we explain what sensitivity means, how it’s expressed in mV/Pa or dB re 1V/Pa, and why it’s so important when matching microphones to your application.

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