Microphone self-noise comparison
Updated 18 Oct 2026
Self-noise is the hiss a microphone produces on its own; lower is quieter. 30 film and location microphones are listed quietest first.
Most figures are A-weighted (dB-A or dB SPL A); compare like with like. Figures are as listed on each item's GEARMATH page, which records manufacturer specifications. Check the manufacturer before you rely on a number.
Microphones by self-noise
| Audio-Technica BP28 | 8 dB SPL (A) | Line + gradient | 143 dB (153 dB with pad) | |
| RØDE NTG8 | 8 dBA | Supercardioid | 124 dB SPL | -20.0 dB re 1 V/Pa (97.5 mV) |
| Sennheiser MKH 8070 | 8 dB(A) | 124 dB SPL | -19 dBV/Pa (112 mV/Pa) | |
| RØDE RODE NTG5 | 10 dB-A | Line + Gradient Lobar | 23.7 mV/Pa | |
| Sennheiser MKH 8020 | 10 dB(A) | 138 dB SPL | -30 dBV/Pa | |
| Sennheiser MKH 8060 | 10 dB-A | Super-cardioid / Lobar | 30 mV/Pa | |
| Deity Microphones S-Mic 2 | 12 dB-A | Supercardioid | 130 dB | |
| Deity Microphones S-Mic 3 | 12 dB-A | Supercardioid | 130 dB | |
| Deity Microphones S-Mic 3S | 12 dBA | Supercardioid | 130 dB SPL | |
| Sennheiser MKH 50 | 12 dB-A | Super-cardioid | 142 dB | -31 dBV/Pa |
| Audio-Technica BP4071 | 13 dB SPL | Line + gradient | 141 dB (151 with pad) | |
| Audio-Technica BP4073 | 13 dB SPL | Line + gradient | 141 dB (151 dB with pad) | |
| RØDE NTG3 | 13 dBA | Supercardioid | 130 dB SPL | -30.0 dB re 1 V/Pa (31.6 mV) |
| Schoeps CMIT 5U | 13 dB-A | Super-cardioid / Lobar | 22 mV/Pa | |
| Sennheiser MKH 416 | 13 dB-A | Lobar (super-hypercardioid) | 130 dB | -32 dBV/Pa |
| Sennheiser MKH 8030 | 13 dB(A) | 139 dB | -31 dBV/Pa (28 mV/Pa) | |
| Sennheiser MKH 8040 | 13 dB(A) | 142 dB SPL | -34 dBV/Pa | |
| Sennheiser MKH 8050 | 13 dB(A) | 142 dB SPL | -34 dBV/Pa | |
| Sennheiser MKH 8090 | 13 dB(A) | 142 dB SPL | -34 dBV/Pa | |
| Deity Microphones S-Mic 2S | 15 dBA | Supercardioid | 130 dB | 32±2 dB re 1 V/Pa @ 1 kHz |
| RØDE VideoMic GO II | 15 dBA | Supercardioid | -31 dBV (28.78 mV @ 94 dB SPL) | |
| RØDE VideoMic NTG | 15 dB SPL (A-weighted) | Supercardioid | 120 dB SPL @ 1% THD | -26 dB re 1 V/Pa (50 mV) |
| Audio-Technica AT4053b | 16 dB SPL | Hypercardioid | 145 dB (155 dB with pad) | |
| DPA 4017B | 16 dB-A | Narrow supercardioid/lobar | 128 dB | -34 dBV/Pa |
| RØDE NTG4 | 16 dBA | Supercardioid | 135 dB SPL | -32.0 dB re 1 V/Pa (25 mV) |
| Sanken CS-M1 | 16 dB SPL | Supercardioid / shotgun | 137 dB SPL | |
| RØDE NTG1 | 18 dBA | Supercardioid | 139 dB SPL | -36.0 dB re 1 V/Pa (15 mV) |
| RØDE NTG2 | 18 dBA | Supercardioid | 131 dB SPL | -36.0 dB re 1 V/Pa (15 mV) |
| DPA 4060 Core | 23 dB-A | Omnidirectional | 20 mV/Pa | |
| RØDE Lavalier II | 27 dBA typical | Omnidirectional | 106–120 dB SPL RMS | -38 dB re 1 V/Pa (12.59 mV) |
Figures are as listed on each item's GEARMATH page, which records manufacturer specifications. Check the manufacturer before you rely on a number.