The AKG D5 is a dynamic microphone with a super-cardioid polar pattern . Specially designed for vocal recording , this stereo microphone meets all the necessary conditions to meet fairly harsh usage needs on stage. Its response curve, being quite precise, clarifies speech and enhances the tone of the voice with a slight accentuation of bass , midrange and treble .
The AKG D5 provides acoustic and mechanical performance identical to that of its AKG D5 S counterpart. The only difference lies in the fact that the latter is equipped with a silent on/off switch.
Likewise, the AKG D5 remains as efficient and effective as the D5 LX, but this studio microphone is equipped with an anti-hum compensation coil . This significantly reduces self-noise and any noise effects due to electromagnetic resonances.
So is buying a microphone or several dynamic microphones like the AKG D5 worth it? this wireless microphone an essential dynamic instrument to have in your possession to complete your sound reinforcement and recording studio equipment?
Let's take a close look at all the functionalities and technical characteristics of this singing microphone to attest to its real performance. Discover below our complete test and opinion on the AKG D5 wireless dynamic microphone with super-cardioid directivity!
AKG D5 Microphone Overview
The AKG D5 is a dynamic microphone dedicated to vocals and speech . It delivers powerful, clearly defined sound, even in the middle of a fairly noisy stage. Its super-cardioid directivity allows this studio and stage microphone to provide optimal gain limiting feedback effects. The AKG D5 also delivers clean, balanced sound through every mix.
The AKG brand was one of the main manufacturers to have developed the very first microphone diaphragm whose thickness varies according to the diameter. The “Varimotion” deep stamping process of the diaphragm allows this component to be adjusted more precisely without additional adjustment resonators. This results in a boost in audio performance .
The AKG D5 is also equipped with a double shock absorber support eliminating any handling noise when removed from its microphone stand. You can hold the microphone in your hand and move around on stage as you wish, the audience will hear nothing other than your voice. Moreover, you can do the same using a wireless lavalier microphone or a portable gooseneck microphone.
The difference between an wireless dynamic microphone compared to a lavalier microphone or a Bluetooth microphone equipped with a transmitter, however, lies in the quality of capture and transmission of the audio signal. The AKG D5 being a dynamic microphone with super cardioid polar pattern displays a fairly specific polar pattern .
It therefore differs from a simple cardioid microphone although like this type of microphone, the AKG D5 also provides unidirectional directivity . Designed in much the same way as any other dynamic cardioid mic (like the Sennheiser MD421-II for example), the AKG D5 also optimizes the pickup of the sound wave coming from the front.
The difference is only that the AKG D5 better isolates the voice or sound coming from the front compared to a regular cardioid microphone. The AKG D5 has been specially designed for capturing and recording voice, whether singing or speaking.
This studio microphone ensures perfect speech intelligibility thanks to its fairly narrow response curve over a bandwidth of between 70 Hz and 17 kHz . This professional microphone subtly enhances mids and highs.
The AKG D5 is high-end professional dynamic microphone fully robust design . Its sound quality is more or less equivalent to that of a Shure SM58.
The AKG D5 features a relatively tighter pickup pattern, providing more flexibility and better gain control before feedback. This microphone can therefore serve as a perfect alternative to other high-performance microphones for use in a home studio or on stage if you want to save money.
AKG Legacy: Decades of Excellence
For over 65 years, AKG has helped characterize the iconic vocal tones of many famous stars. AKG's audio engineers, microphone designers and technicians continually work together to deliver unique experiences to professional users in different areas of audio.
AKG is a brand known to musicians, audio engineers and sound engineers around the world. been specializing in the manufacturing of microphones , headphones and equipment for sound systems and recording studios for almost 70 years
The vocal lead microphone is a completely reliable dynamic instrument designed to deliver sound quality well above average on stage and in the home studio. Equipped with an AKG D5 type microphone, you can ensure that no background noise interferes with voice recording or recording.
Featuring a super-cardioid polar pattern and a double-sprung capsule (thus quite distinct from ordinary microphone capsules), the AKG D5 eliminates external noise and contact noise much more effectively. All unwanted noise is systematically rejected so as to bring out only a , refined , and richly defined sound .
The diaphragm of the AKG D5 microphone is also designed to vibrate completely autonomously. This means that this mic does not attenuate any frequency of the voice or sound it perceives. In its fairly precise frequency response curve of between 70 Hz and 17 kHz , the AKG D5 reproduces a wide range of sound facets in high definition.
AKG D5 microphone: faithful, clear and refined sound reproduction
The AKG D5 microphone uses a new patented diaphragm design capable of fully autonomous vibration to deliver ultra-clear and precise vocal reproduction. The sound quality of your vocal timbre will therefore never be affected, attenuated or reduced by this microphone since the nuance is clearly reproduced , or even improved.
The AKG D5's super-cardioid polar pattern also provides maximum gain without distortion or feedback . You can therefore adjust, raise and lower the volume of the microphone as you wish without altering the sound of your voice or that of the instrument you intend to capture using this stereo microphone.
Although the AKG D5 allows you to obtain sound quality that is above average compared to that of most microphones, you will still need to equip it properly.
In addition, you can also consult our complete test guide for the AKG D 112 MKII microphone . It is a dynamic microphone with cardioid polar pattern which is designed for bass drums. Discover in this guide our test opinion on this microphone from AKG.
AKG D5 microphone: optimal noise rejection for pure reproduction
When you sing or express yourself in front of the AKG D5 microphone, you won't have to worry about handling noise. We can thus focus exclusively on our voice or on the sound of the instrument that we wish to capture.
Indeed, the AKG D5 effectively eliminates handling noise thanks to its specific double-suspension capsule design. Unwanted noises and all noises that are due to vibrations can also be further reduced by using a windscreen.
The AKG D5 is a robustly designed featuring a high-quality, patented laminated “Varimotion” diaphragm. The AKG D5's diaphragm offers a fairly narrow and precise frequency range to make it an ideal mic for vocals and speech .
Equipped with a spring steel mesh grille and a robust molded housing, this microphone is also designed to withstand the sometimes quite harsh conditions of use on stage. The noise filter integrated into the microphone greatly improves sound quality , while the double shock mount eliminates any handling noise.
Given the characteristics mentioned above, the AKG D5 remains an excellent choice of microphone for recording vocals . The AKG D5 is a high-end professional dynamic microphone which benefits from a fairly specific design to meet numerous live and home studio applications.
Its fairly specific frequency range between 70 Hz and 17 kHz makes it particularly versatile. Particularly for voice recording and audio recording of various types of acoustic instruments in the low and high frequencies, but especially in the midrange.
The electret transducer that this vocal lead microphone incorporates is sufficiently resistant to magnetic field interference. This stereo microphone is therefore capable of supporting strong radio frequency signals without showing distortion.
And likewise, the AKG D5 is capable of high sound pressure levels or Spl (Sound Pressure Level) ranging from 147 to 156 dB . And this, for only 1 % to 3% of total harmonic distortion (or THD: Total Harmonic Distortion).
AKG D5 microphone: design, specifications and features
As mentioned, the AKG D5 has an integrated pop filter. Which makes it a perfect dynamic microphone choice for suppressing handling noise, without necessarily having to use a windscreen or an external pop filter.
Added to this is a specific design with a super-cardioid polar pattern. Which makes the AKG D5 naturally more receptive to sound waves coming from the front than any other unidirectional mic.
The AKG D5 microphone, although simpler in design than a Shure SM58 , remains much more durable than the latter. This guarantees good durability . Indeed, this professional microphone has a die-cast metal body and its mesh grilles are entirely made of spring steel.
These grids are therefore both solid and flexible . It is therefore unlikely that this microphone will be jammed or damaged unless it suffers serious shocks. Purchasing an AKG D5 type dynamic microphone is advantageous for:
- Anyone who wants to get an affordable microphone and get decent sound quality. Its sound performance almost equals that of a Shure SM58 while the AKG D5 remains much more affordable.
- Any singer and musician who wants to take off their career with the strict amount of budget necessary to buy a microphone. Due to its specific diaphragm design, this microphone can provide additional smoothing to the voice being recorded or broadcast.
- Anyone who wants to benefit from a microphone that is robust and efficient enough for intense and long-lasting use.
Focus on the sound quality of the AKG D5 microphone
Since the AKG D5 is a dynamic wireless microphone , it therefore requires batteries to operate. This does not mean that this mic requires phantom power from a mic preamp or any external power source. Like other types of dynamic microphones, the AKG D5 does not require phantom power.
Phantom power is direct current that is used only to activate the internal circuitry of a condenser or condenser microphone. dynamic moving coil microphones condenser condenser microphones on the other.
Condenser microphones are capable of capturing delicate sound waves at a wide frequency. These microphones are mainly dedicated to use in recording studios. Condenser microphones, therefore condenser microphones, require electricity to condense the audio signal and convert it into an electrical signal .
Electricity passes through the back plate of the condenser mic's diaphragm. When a sound wave hits it, it creates an electric current. A dynamic microphone, for its part, is designed to withstand fairly high acoustic pressures. This type of microphone and the AKG D5 remain more suitable for use on stage .
Dynamic microphones are capable of capturing sounds that generate fairly heavy acoustic pressures . When the sound wave hits the diaphragm of a dynamic microphone, it directly generates an audio signal (or more precisely: “a sound”).
The diaphragm of a dynamic microphone is responsible for moving the metal voice coil. Thus producing an alternating current of an intensity similar to that of the perceived sound wave. Although a dynamic microphone does not require any phantom power , some dynamic mics have active circuitry that can switch between active and dynamic.
Active dynamic microphones can therefore be used with phantom power to give an additional boost to the voice or sound to be recorded through them. And this, without incurring the slightest risk of damaging them during use.
So, what about the sound quality of the AKG D5? Let us first note that this microphone displays a promising frequency response with sound quality almost as refined as that of the Shure SM58, but with slight accentuations in the midrange. The AKG D5 offers more depth in the bass and more smoothness in the treble.
The transient response also provides greater room for improvement for the AKG D5 microphone. Since the design of the AKG D5 is based on a patented laminated diaphragm (“ Varimotion ”), it is therefore supposed to be less resonant and more resistant to feedback than other unidirectional dynamic microphones.
The AKG D5 also remains the mic least likely to trigger off-axis feedback. Note however, just like the Shure Beta 58 A dynamic microphone, and all other super-cardioid microphones, the AKG D5 is likely to trigger feedback if the monitors are positioned in the middle of the stage rather than on the sides, because in this case the back of the microphone will become more receptive.
The AKG D5 is also equipped with a double shock absorber support eliminating any mechanical noise . Which makes it very practical for use live on a fairly noisy stage. With an AKG D5 type microphone, you will be able to express yourself freely without having to worry about any surrounding noise. The audience will hear the pure sound of your voice and/or that of the instrument you play!
The AKG D5 is one of the most used microphones among artists and sound technicians. For voice recording or live sound broadcasting , this microphone seems to be perfect. Its use remains ideal for singers, presenters and lecturers.
Purchasing several AKG D5 microphones can also be a great alternative to purchasing a Shure SM57 or SM58 to record or broadcast live group vocals. Note also that the AKG D5 offers an excellent proximity effect .
The narrower the gap between this microphone and the sound source, the more accentuated and defined . Particularly in the low frequencies, but also in the low mids, in the mids and in the high mids. As you move away from the microphone, the sound becomes colder and more reverberant, highlighting the echo of the room.
The captured voice can also take on a more aggressive , neutral or softened tone depending on the singer's vocal timbre and their distance from the AKG D5. The proximity effect enhances the sound of the voice when you hold the microphone less than 5 centimeters from your mouth. Low frequencies will thus be accentuated and may even gain more roundness and warmth depending on the situation.
Compared to various other microphone models from AKG, the D5 generates very little self-noise . Which makes the AKG D5 almost insensitive to handling noise. Its polar pattern with super-cardioid polar pattern remains significantly tighter than that of an ordinary microphone with cardioid polar pattern. This provides maximum off-axis sound rejection.
The AKG D5 also offers a fairly warm output level with a much more balanced sound . This stereo microphone offers more presence to speech and more clarity to the singing voice in both the bass and midrange as well as the treble.
The AKG D5 seems to be better refined and balanced than the Shure SM58 for recording a singer's voice whether in the bass, mids or highs.
Another interesting aspect to note with the AKG D5 is that this stereo microphone also incorporates a transducer that uses a specific diaphragm in a fairly compact body. Which makes it an ideal dynamic instrument for audio capture of the female voice, whether to record singing or speech.
We also tested the AKG D5 with a Marshall guitar amp and a Yamaha Bass guitar through a Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre Dynamic preamplifier . The D5 provided a fairly punchy and precise tone at a distance of about 10 to 15 cm from the guitar amp at medium volume.
With the same pre-amp and an Ibanez electric guitar plugged into a Marshall guitar amp about 10cm from the AKG D5, the mic sounded great with a slight boost to the sound of the pick .
The microphone reproduced wonderfully and in a very nuanced way all the aggressive tones of riffs thus played and recorded. The AKG D5 also sounded sufficiently good in a bass drum about 10 cm below the drum head. So, the real question now is why should we choose an AKG D5 microphone rather than a Shure SM58.
Certainly, the Shure SM58 remains the most iconic vocal microphone ever designed by this brand, but the AKG D5 has also been described as the direct competitor of this legendary microphone. Moreover, a large number of singers, technicians and presenters have been able to get the most out of the AKG D5 on several occasions.
The AKG D5 is similar to the Shure SM58 in many ways. First, due to the fact that these are two dynamic microphones specially designed for singing and speech . The frequency response of the AKG D5, like that of the Shure SM58, attempts to improve vocals so that they can be enhanced in the mix, whether for recording vocals in the studio or live on stage. .
Then, the AKG D5, like the Shure SM58, is a stage microphone designed to withstand fairly harsh conditions of use compared to condenser microphones, for their part dedicated to recording studios.
Although the AKG D5 is quite inexpensive for a high-end microphone, and being dynamic, it is designed to be durable enough for use for audio recording purposes in the studio and on stage. This vocal and stage microphone offers a good balance of audio pickup.
The AKG D5 benefits from an ingenious and patented design to maximize the audio signal gain at its input and above all in such a way as to avoid the capture of any off-axis sound due to its super-cardioid directivity. Its specific shock-mounted capsule means that this microphone effectively eliminates any unwanted noise .
This microphone is extremely robust and durable, which guarantees several decades of use without risk of obsolescence or wear. Its XLR connectivity and compliance with industry standards for professional audio equipment design make it particularly effective for stage applications.
Given its affordability compared to other high-end vocal and speech microphones, it's easy to see why so many entertainment, PA, and audio recording professionals use the AKG D5 instead of a Shure SM58 to capture and record vocals.
The AKG D5 being a dynamic microphone is mainly designed for use on stage . In any case, this stereo microphone offers enough versatility to be used for various applications: vocal recording in the studio , podcast, recording of acoustic instruments, etc.
The AKG D5 can be used perfectly to record the direct sound of an acoustic guitar or the sound of an electric guitar emanating from a guitar amp, in the middle of a concert (you can also consult our guide on the best microphone for a guitar recording to choose from).
In a more rational way, however, and as an alternative, we could decide to turn to the choice of a Neumann type condenser microphone or a high-performance USB microphone such as Rode NT USB for audio recording of various acoustic and electric or very Blue yeti type for the podcast.
The advantage with these types of microphones over XLR mics is that they are quite convenient to connect to a computer's audio interface without having to make complicated connections. With Blue yeti or Rode NT USB micro-USBs , you will not need to use any driver, sound card, DSP (digital sound signal processor), transformer or adapter to come Connect the microphone to the audio interface of a PC or Mac.
That being said, we can always get more out of the AKG D5 to perfect sound recording in a home studio in addition to its equipment dedicated to sound and audio production.
Additionally, a Blue Yeti-style focuses on multiple sound sources coming from different directions. This sound capture, although standardized, therefore does not make it possible to isolate sound waves as effectively and cleanly as a microphone with cardioid or super-cardioid .
Technical characteristics of the AKG D5 microphone
- Manufacturer: AKG
- Model: AKG D5
- Type: dynamic pressure gradient microphone
- Design: Wireless handheld microphone (requires batteries)
- Battery(ies): 1 Lithium-ion
- Housing: metal body
- Grille: spring steel mesh design
- Membrane: AKG patented laminated “ Varimotion ”
- Polar pattern: super-cardioid
- Frequency response: 70 Hz to 17 kHz
- Sensitivity: 2.6 mV/Pa ( -52 dBV )
- Maximum sound pressure: 147/156 dB Spl (for 1% / 3% THD )
- Equivalent noise: 18 dB-A
- Electrical impedance: ≤ 600 Ohms
- Recommended load impedance: ≥ 2000 Ohms
- Temperature range: -10°C to +60°C
- Connector: 3-pin XLR (pin 2 hot)
- Dimensions ≈ 19.99 x 7.01 x 14 cm
- Net weight ≈ 330g
- Microphone clip provided
- Microphone cover included
- Integrated pop filter
- Shockproof and noise-canceling dual-mount capsule
Our Overall Opinion
Overall Sound Quality
Value for money
Global mark
Our opinion on the AKG D5 microphone
The AKG D5 offers a great alternative to other wireless dynamic microphones dedicated to stage use due to its more balanced and better defined tonal spectrum. The AKG D5 also benefits from a robust and fairly durable construction while remaining much more affordable than other types of high-end microphones dedicated to vocals and speech.
This stage and studio mic is perfect for singing, karaoke, podcasting and voice-over recording. The AKG D5 also remains an excellent dynamic instrument choice for anyone looking for a fairly inexpensive, highly capable, and fully rugged microphone to serve as a vocal mic or instrument mic.
Overall, its purchase provides excellent value for money for versatile uses, whether for on-stage sound reinforcement or for sound recording in a home studio. Moreover, the AKG D5 provides a radically different sound rendering that allows the voice to stand out on a performance stage.
This is not surprising since microphone diaphragms do not all have the same sizes or the same typologies. Positioned at different distances from the top of the grill, they have different foam inserts in their respective grills and also differ electronically.
Generally speaking, the AKG D5 provides clearer sound reproduction compared to the Shure SM58, with more depth in the bass and more softness in the treble. This doesn't mean that the AKG D5 is the ideal microphone choice for mixing vocals. It all depends on the conditions in which you want to use it.
The AKG D5 being a vocal and speech microphone by nature can also serve as an excellent instrument microphone. We can make the most of its sound quality in small performance halls for voice recording and sound recording of instruments played in various musical styles such as jazz, rock, funk, World and music. merger.
The AKG D5 also sounds wonderful with a grand piano and even achieves a clean, natural sound depending on its distance and location from the acoustic instrument. You must locate the microphone close to the edge of the cover to ensure optimal feedback rejection and place a completely different microphone just under the piano for monitoring.
Thus, we will be able to better enjoy a fairly clear and much more transparent tone. We will thus use less equalization and we will only have to make a few basic adjustments without having to use a Pad or any attenuator to correct and purify the sound to be recorded or broadcast. With an electric guitar, the AKG D5 also generates a clean tone with more depth and detail in the bass and midrange frequencies.
We can even go further by testing the AKG D5 with a vibraphone. In order to obtain a natural and balanced sound, we will just position two D5s 50 cm above the vibraphone as a spaced pair. This will provide several levels of control that can be used for the mix.
Once this is done, we will only have to carry out a good low-cut filtering, and enhance the high midrange to clarify the sound as best as possible. For vocal recording, however, it should be noted that the highs (of certain voices) are not always easily manageable using an equalizer or a mixing board.
The AKG D5 will sound better than a Shure SM58 on stage when you adjust the speakers correctly and significantly reduce clipping. The advantage with the AKG D5, however, is that it will sound as clear with an inexpensive vocal preamp as it will with a sophisticated, high-end power amplifier.
And the same with entry-level speakers with reduced frequency ranges, the AKG D5 will be greatly appreciated for its sound accuracy and precision. Like a shotgun microphone, this stage and studio microphone allows you to capture sound in depth and at long range. The AKG D5 also serves as an excellent choice of microphone for capturing audio from drum kicks.
All we will have to do is to raise the HPF (high-pass filter) setting and equalize the sound in a fairly balanced manner. If the mic is positioned correctly, it will be able to reject sounds from other drums better than a condenser microphone. We can then compress the sound quite copiously to process it and equalize it as best as possible.
If you plan to use the AKG D5 to capture the sound of a bass drum, you can simply place it vertically towards the tom to obtain a more percussive, pointed and nuanced sound. For voice recording, the AKG requires very little correction on a mixing desk, on a mixing console or on the channel strip of any external audio equalizer.
The AKG D5, being completely insensitive to feedback, provides sound quality well above average for various types of audio capture, whether voices or instruments. Generally speaking, the AKG D5 perfectly meets the use needs for which it is intended: voice reinforcement and audio capture of various acoustic instruments.
The AKG D5 and the Shure SM58 are two reference microphones for vocals. Let us just note that the AKG offers a more advantageous quality-price ratio and that this microphone also benefits from a more robust design compared to that of the Shure SM58. Additionally, the clarity and sound quality of the AKG D5 are well-matched to rival that of this legendary microphone.
Let us also remember that the AKG D5 ensures excellent feedback rejection in addition to being capable of producing a clear and richly defined sound. Its dual-damper microphone capsule makes it particularly effective at eliminating handling noise in addition to its very low self-noise. In summary, we appreciate the AKG D5 for:
- Its excellent value for money,
- Its narrow and balanced frequency response,
- Its correct overall tone,
- Its robust and durable design,
- Its very good receptivity to bass and treble frequencies,
- Its very low noise level,
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