DPA Microphones
DPA 4080 CORE+ Cardioid Lavalier Mic
Best cardioid lavalier for broadcast professionals needing pristine speech clarity.
Capture pristine vocals with the DPA 4080 CORE+ Cardioid Lavalier Microphone, expertly engineered for broadcast and conference applications. Its cardioid pattern is optimized for chest placement, minimizing background noise and focusing on your voice. The microphone features acoustic pre-equalization for enhanced speech clarity and CORE+ technology to eliminate distortion, ensuring a natural and clear sound. Its discreet design and flexible mounting options make it ideal for professionals seeking high-definition audio capture in demanding environments.
$845.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
55
/ 1735
#55 in Microphones
Price vs Category Average
+66%
Above average
Polar Pattern
Cardioid
/ Cardioid
Who it's for
- Broadcast professionals demanding pristine, natural vocal reproduction
- Event speakers working in challenging, high-noise environments
- Production crews needing reliable, low-profile gear for daily use
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious creators seeking entry-level audio solutions
- Audio engineers avoiding extra post-production equalization work
- Run-and-gun videographers needing quick, forgiving setup times
Performance breakdown
Speech Clarity
Acoustic pre-equalization ensures crisp, professional vocal reproduction for broadcast environments.
Background Noise Rejection
The optimized cardioid pattern effectively isolates voices from ambient room noise.
Distortion Control
CORE+ technology maintains a clean, natural signal even at high volumes.
Discreet Profile
Compact dimensions allow for unobtrusive placement on clothing during video shoots.
Mounting Versatility
Flexible clips provide precise directional adjustment for optimal chest-worn performance.
System Compatibility
Modular adapter system integrates seamlessly with a wide range of wireless transmitters.
Key Specs
Polar Pattern
Cardioid
Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
Max. SPL (10% THD)
134dB peak
Sensitivity
-34dB re. 1V/Pa
Rated Output Impedance
30Ω - 40Ω
Microphone Diameter
0.22" (5.7mm)
Microphone Length
1.2" (30mm)
Weight
0.5oz (15g) including cable and connector
Features
- Optimized cardioid pattern for chest placement
- CORE+ technology for neutral distortion
- Acoustically pre-equalized for speech clarity
- Discreet and compact design
- Modular adapter for wireless systems
- Includes black and white pop filters
- Flexible mounting for directional adjustment
- Excellent speech reproduction quality
What customers say
Professionals regard the DPA 4080 CORE+ as an industry standard, valuing its exceptional audio fidelity and reliability. The microphone delivers pristine, natural sound reproduction that minimizes the need for equalization. A key advantage is the tight cardioid pattern, which offers outstanding off-axis rejection. Users confirm this effectively isolates the voice in challenging, noisy environments, significantly reducing feedback potential. While the initial cost is high, the superior performance, robust build quality, and ability to solve complex audio problems confirm its status as a necessary and worthwhile investment for demanding applications.
Know before you buy
Chest-mounted lavaliers often struggle with picking up unwanted ambient noise or reflections from the body. The 4080's cardioid pattern is tuned to reject these off-axis sounds, ensuring the microphone focuses strictly on the speaker's voice for a cleaner, more professional broadcast signal.
Yes, the 4080 features a modular adapter system that allows you to connect it to most professional wireless bodypacks. You will simply need to ensure you have the correct adapter for your specific transmitter brand.
CORE+ technology is designed to minimize distortion and expand the dynamic range of the microphone. This ensures that even when a speaker projects loudly, the audio remains natural, clear, and free from the harsh clipping often found in smaller condenser capsules.
Yes, as a condenser microphone, it requires power to function. It can be powered via plug-in power from a wireless transmitter (5V to 10V) or through standard 48V phantom power when using the appropriate adapter.
While the 4080 is excellent for controlled environments like conferences or studios, it is a cardioid microphone and is sensitive to wind. It includes pop filters to help with plosives, but for outdoor use, you may want to add a dedicated windscreen to prevent wind noise.
The microphone is acoustically pre-equalized to boost speech clarity, which means you will likely need to do less corrective EQ in your editing software. It is designed to sound 'broadcast-ready' right out of the box, saving you time during the mixing process.
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