What does boundary-layer microphone design mean, and why is it relevant for my setup?

Boundary-layer mics mount flush against a surface (table, wall, or ceiling) and use phase coherence to minimize reflections and off-axis noise. This design is ideal for conference tables, broadcast desks, and institutional installations where you need clean speech capture without visible mic stands.

Is the PCC160 suitable for music recording or instrument miking?

No. The PCC160 is engineered specifically for speech capture and institutional audio; it is not recommended for music recording or instrument miking.

What phantom power does it need, and will it work with my audio interface?

The PCC160 requires 12–48 V phantom power, which is standard on most audio interfaces, mixing consoles, and professional preamps. Confirm your interface or mixer supports phantom power before purchase.

What is the bass-tilt switch for?

The bass-tilt switch adjusts the low-end response to compensate for different room acoustics and proximity effects, helping you dial in clean, natural speech capture in various environments.

What connector does it use, and how long can the cable run be?

The PCC160 uses a Switchcraft TA3F (3-pin) connector and balanced 150-ohm output, which supports longer cable runs reliably—typical for professional installations in larger venues or conference spaces.

AKG PCC160 Professional Boundary Layer Microphone

The AKG PCC160 is a compact boundary layer microphone built for reliable speech and vocal capture in live sound applications, conference venues, and installed systems. Its slim 20 mm profile sits flush against surfaces, staying out of sight while picking up clear, articulate vocals. The supercardioid polar pattern and PCC (Phase Coherent Cardioid) technology with miniature diaphragms focus sound collection and reject off-axis noise—essential when you're running sound in rooms you don't fully control.

Audio Performance & Sensitivity

This mic delivers a frequency response of 50–18,000 Hz with sensitivity of 22 mV/Pa, capturing vocal clarity without unwanted coloration. The maximum SPL of 120 dB handles loud rooms and speakers without distortion, while an equivalent noise level of 22 dB-A and signal-to-noise ratio of 72 dB-A keep hum and electrical noise at bay—critical for clean, intelligible audio in real-world venues.

Design & Connectivity

Measuring just 170 mm long × 80 mm wide × 20 mm deep, this boundary microphone integrates discreetly into any install. A bass-tilt switch lets you dial in low-end response to match room acoustics on the fly, while 12–48 V phantom power operation works with standard mixing consoles and interfaces. The balanced 150-ohm output with Switchcraft TA3F connector ensures rock-solid signal transfer over longer cable runs without noise pickup.

Key Features

Boundary layer microphone design—mounts flush to tabletops, walls, or ceilings
Supercardioid polar pattern for focused pickup and off-axis rejection
PCC (Phase Coherent Cardioid) technology with miniature diaphragms
Frequency response: 50–18,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 22 mV/Pa
Maximum SPL: 120 dB without distortion
Equivalent noise level: 22 dB-A; Signal-to-noise ratio: 72 dB-A
Bass-tilt switch for low-end response adjustment
Output impedance: 150 ohms (balanced)
Recommended load impedance: 2000 ohms
Switchcraft TA3F (3-pin) connector
Requires 12–48 V phantom power

The PCC160 shines in setups where you need to stay out of sight, reject room noise, and keep vocals locked in—a dependable workhorse for broadcast, live venue, and permanent audio installations where uptime matters.

Condition	New
Country of Manufacture	China