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Gear / Technical Help => Battery Boxes, Preamps, Mixers, ADCs, and Processors => Topic started by: PineappleWhiteOwl on August 21, 2024, 02:10:49 PM

Title: SonicPresence SP15 series binaural microphones
Post by: PineappleWhiteOwl on August 21, 2024, 02:10:49 PM
Edit: I've just realized I did not post this under the mic sub-forum, is there a way for me to move this to the correct section?

 Hello folks,

I'm looking into current options for binaural/HRTF/IEM style microphones for use with stealth recording indoors and have come across this series of binaural microphones. They come in the following flavors

SP15XLR ~$250 for a stereo pair
SP15V (3.5mm TRS) ~200 for a stereo pair
SP15X (USB-C) ~$150 for a stereo pair

With Sennheiser Ambios not being in production, is this series a good replacement for those of us looking to record binaural/HRTF? The few reviews on YouTube that I've seen seem decent.

Has anyone used or heard a concert recordings made with this microphone?

Related personal preference question: would you prefer to record with XLR or 3.5mm TRS connection? XLR are bulkier, but more secure. Would there be any sonic differences if recording either in 32 bit? Is XLR worth the additional $50?

Looking forward to a good bit of discussion around these!
Title: Re: SonicPresence SP15 series binaural microphones
Post by: PineappleWhiteOwl on August 21, 2024, 02:13:35 PM
I am also considering the Roland CS-10EM. At $100 new, it almost seems like it's worth picking up a pair and testing.

Worth mentioning in case it adds to the discussion.
Title: Re: SonicPresence SP15 series binaural microphones
Post by: rocksuitcase on August 21, 2024, 03:01:12 PM

Related personal preference question: would you prefer to record with XLR or 3.5mm TRS connection? XLR are bulkier, but more secure. Would there be any sonic differences if recording either in 32 bit? Is XLR worth the additional $50?

Looking forward to a good bit of discussion around these!
From these three choices, I'd go XLR. But, I guess it would depend on your recorder. If the recorder uses 3.5mm TRS, then that is probably best in terms of less connections.
Title: Re: SonicPresence SP15 series binaural microphones
Post by: PineappleWhiteOwl on August 21, 2024, 03:58:43 PM

Related personal preference question: would you prefer to record with XLR or 3.5mm TRS connection? XLR are bulkier, but more secure. Would there be any sonic differences if recording either in 32 bit? Is XLR worth the additional $50?

Looking forward to a good bit of discussion around these!
From these three choices, I'd go XLR. But, I guess it would depend on your recorder. If the recorder uses 3.5mm TRS, then that is probably best in terms of less connections.

Considering the new Zoom H1 XLR (which has both dual XLR and 3.5mm TRS inputs), as I don't think I need the nicer preamp of the F3 and would love to save the $150.

Going H1 XLR with the SP15V (3.5mm TRS) would save me $100-250 compared to getting the F3 and/or the SP15 XLR.

Spending ~$150 less is definitely appealing, though I do worry about the 3.5 mm being less secure than locking XLR .