Detail 01
Matched pair
The two mics are selected to respond alike, so the stereo image stays centered instead of pulling to one side.
Product detailSKU #1274115056227
RODEMatched Pair of NT5 Microphones
Sale
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Matched pair of half-inch cardioid condensers for stereo recording — drum overheads, acoustic guitar, piano, room. Small-diaphragm detail rather than large-diaphragm weight.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Drum overheads in XY, ORTF or a spaced pair
- Acoustic guitar, piano and percussion where attack detail matters
- Choir, strings and room capture that has to hold a stereo image
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Lead vocals, where a large-diaphragm mic usually sits better
- Interfaces with phantom power on only one channel
- Anyone who needs a single mic — you're paying for two
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
1/2 inch capsule
Small diaphragm follows fast transients — stick on cymbal, pick on string — more accurately than a large capsule.
Detail 03
Cardioid only
Fixed pattern, no omni or figure-8 switch. You place these by what they reject as much as what they hear.
Detail 04
143dB max SPL
Loud sources aren't the limit. A hard-hit kit or a cranked cab won't overload the capsule.
Detail 05
Externally polarized condenser
A true condenser design, so each mic needs its own 48V phantom supply to work at all.
Detail 06
-38dB sensitivity (12mV/Pa)
On the quiet side of average. Distant or soft sources want a preamp with genuine clean gain.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Two mics means two XLR cables and two channels of 48V phantom.
- 02A stereo bar or second stand keeps spacing repeatable between sessions.
- 03Check mono compatibility when spacing them — wide pairs can thin out the center.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What does 'matched pair' actually mean here?
The two mics were selected to measure and sound the same as each other. That consistency is what keeps a stereo image stable and centered.
02Do these need phantom power?
Yes. They're externally polarized condensers, so both mics need 48V phantom — one channel each, not one supply shared.
03Can I use them on vocals?
You can, but a small-diaphragm cardioid gives you accuracy rather than the low-end weight most singers want. Better on acoustic instruments and stereo work.
04Are they suitable for drum overheads?
Yes — fast transient response and a 143dB SPL ceiling suit overheads well, and the matching keeps cymbals placed correctly across the stereo field.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
2 detailsSound
- Frequency Response
- 20Hz–20kHz
- Sensitivity
- –38dB re 1V/Pa ±2dB equivalent to 12mV/Pa where 1 Pa = 94dB SPL
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Active Electronics
- JFET impedance converter with bipolar output buffer
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Gray
1 detailsConnections & power
- Maximum Output
- +13.9dBu
7 detailsOther
- Directional Response
- cardioid
- Dynamic Range
- >128dB
- Signal Noise Ratio
- 78dB
- Acoustic Principle
- externally polarized single-diaphragm condenser
- Equivalent Noise
- <16dBSPL (A-weighted)
- Capsule Size
- 1/2 inch
- Maximum SPL
- 143dB
