Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone

  • Price: $172.95
  • B&H # SHMX185
  • Mfr# MX185

Product Highlights

  • Cardioid Polar Pattern
  • XLR Connection
  • Includes Accessories

This item can only be shipped to a US address.

Protect Your Purchase

 

What item is right for you?

Ask our Experts!

866.276.1435
Live Chat

The Shure MX185 Cardioid Lavalier Microphone features a wide dynamic range and frequency response for accurate sound reproduction of vocals, instruments and other sound sources.

The microphone may be clipped to neckties, lapels, and other articles of clothing, making it an ideal solution for interviews, presentations, dictation and sound reinforcement.

The cardioid polar pattern features a uniform frequency response and adequately rejects noise and feedback at the off-axis sections of the capsule.

The MX series lavalier microphone feature interchangeable cartridges for easy servicing and replacement. The MX185 features a 4' (1.2 m) long cable with an TA4-F connection. The supplied RK100PK preamplifier provides the standard 3-pin XLR connection. Additional accessories include tie clips, a foam windscreen, zipper pouch, and snap-fit windscreen.

Highly sensitive condenser lavalier capsule
Interchangeable cartridges for easy replacement and servicing
4' (1.2 m) long cable with 4-pin female (TA4-F) connection
Transducer Electret Bias Condenser
Polar Pattern Cardioid
Frequency Response 50Hz - 17kHz
Dynamic Range (Typical) 94dB, (@ 1kHz, A-Weighted)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 65dB
Maximum Input Sound Level 123dB, (@ 1kHz, 1% THD)
Power Requirements 11 - 52VDC (with Belt Clip Preamp, Included)
Output Impedance 150 Ohms (180 Ohms Actual)
Output Connectors TA4-F (4-pin mini connection)
XLR-3M Type (with included RK183T2 preamplifier)
Pad None
Low Frequency Roll-Off None
Applications Radio, Videography, Television and Broadcast.
Dimensions Microphone Housing: .85 x .46" (22 x 12mm) LxDiameter
In-Line Pre-Amp: 3.89 x .79" (99 x 20mm) LxW
Cable: 4' (1.2 m) Long (w/TA4F Connector)
Weight 0.12 oz (3.4g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone
 
3.9

(based on 8 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (2)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

88%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Durable (4)
  • Great sound quality (4)
  • Simple use (4)
  • Lightweight (3)
  • Long lasting (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Professional (4)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Tech savvy (3)
      • Primary use:
      • Business (7)

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 8 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-8

    Back to top

     
    5.0

    Performs as Expected

    By Nate

    from Los Angeles, CA

    About Me Gearhead, Tech Savvy

    See all my reviews

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Durable
    • Easy To Use
    • Great Sound Quality
    • Lightweight
    • Long Lasting

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Presentations
      • Professional

      Comments about Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone:

      Using in live events. Mic performs as expected. In this price range, there's no other mic I would choose.

      • Primary use:
      • Business

      Comment on this review

       
      4.0

      Excellent studio mics

      By Lee Feinswog

      from Baton Rouge

      About Me Tech Savvy

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Easy To Use
      • Great Sound Quality
      • Lightweight

      Cons

      • Might be overly sensitive

      Best Uses

      • Productivity

      Comments about Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone:

      Using this to into the XLR input for in-studio shoots.
      They're very sensitive; one guest clipped it to his tie and picked up tie movement.

      • Primary use:
      • Business

      Comment on this review

       
      3.0

      Ugly as a Lavalier

      By Earl

      from Bermuda

      About Me Tech Savvy

      Pros

      • Durable
      • Long Lasting
      • Simple Use

      Cons

      • Lot of Bass
      • To big and bulky

      Best Uses

      • Professional

      Comments about Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone:

      Too bulky as a clip-on lapel mic.
      When I use it comjunction with other lavaliers, it is extremely full of bottom and not much top.
      When my customers need a lavalier, and have options, the WL185 is usually left behind.
      If only Shure made a smaller mic that can connect to the SLX series body pack.

      • Primary use:
      • Business

      Comment on this review

       
      4.0

      Dependable mic with great sound

      By VideoGal

      from Kentucky

      Pros

      • Durable
      • Great Sound Quality
      • Lightweight
      • Long Lasting
      • Simple Use

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Professional

        Comments about Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone:

        I have been using this mic at work for about a year and just ordered one for my business. Beautiful, worry-free sound. My only complaint is the wind screen is really big. The mic itself is nice and small. They just need to include a smaller wind screen.

        • Primary use:
        • Business

        Comment on this review

         
        3.0

        Solid Mic

        By Fernando's Opinions

        from Chicago, Il

        About Me Sufficiently Knowledgeabl

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Great Sound Quality
        • Simple Use

        Cons

        • Large mic

        Best Uses

        • Den
        • Presentations

        Comments about Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone:

        Well, I've been using this mic for the purpose of video interviews. One very big negative of this mic is that it is huge compared to some of the other lavs out there. Nonetheless, the sound quality is really great. I think, for the price, it's a good deal.

        • Primary use:
        • Business

        Comment on this review

        (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Surprising low noise

        By Daniel Lobo

        from Sao Paulo, Brazil

        About Me Video producer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Quiet
        • Simple Use

        Cons

        • Short Cable

        Best Uses

        • Interviews
        • Professional

        Comments about Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone:

        I bought this over a friend indication and found out it is more that I expected: a very good mic for it's price. Low noise and good sound.
        Direct phantom power, doesn't need batteries.

        • Primary use:
        • Business

        Comment on this review

         
        3.0

        Quite good for it's price range

        By enricox

        from Italy

        About Me Technically Challenged

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Cheap

        Cons

        • A bit noisy

        Best Uses

        • Productivity

        Comments about Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone:

        I use the product for small documentary production and it does it's job, is quite robust and it comes with full accessories, it has a bit of self noise but for the price is a good mic.

        • Primary use:
        • Business

        Comment on this review

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        What a gorgeous sounding mic!

        By Doc Blase

        from University Place, WA

        Verified Reviewer

        Pros

        • Durable
        • Good Value
        • High Quality

        Cons

        • Adjusting the output No
        • Lapel clip isn't grippy

        Best Uses

        • Legal Deposition Videos

        Comments about Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Microphone:

        The pickup pattern of the MX185 is just right for legal videography. The rejection of distracting noise is very good, yet the mic will continue to produce good audio when a speaker turns away from the sweet spot.
        The most surprising thing about the MX185 is the smooth, crisp sound- that Shure managed to get that silky quality high end with smooth bass into a little dinky capsule is a bit of an engineering miracle.
        In a lot of ways it reminds me of the 'classic' SM57 sound but with a condenser's slightly excited-sound added to the high end.

        My complaints are few- they say that the output may be adjusted by -12db, but the way you're supposed to make this adjustment is by replacing resistors on the macroscopic PC board, lots of luck with that! Besides, the signal is perfect right where it is.

        Also the little lapel clips don't have as much grip as I'd like, but a bit of stair tread tape on the opposing surfaces fixes that quickly.
        Handling noise is pretty bad, this is a mic you hope people don't rub against... but the output signal is nice and hot; you'll get plenty of gain from these little guys.

        I bought this one to try them out- I'm buyng several more.

          • Similar:
          • Audio Technica ATR35s, Rode NTK, Electro-Voice RE-27

          Comment on this review

          Displaying reviews 1-8

          Back to top

          Cables

          Pearstone -  3-Pin XLR Male to 3-Pin XLR Female Audio Cable (6')
            • Original: $14.95
            • Save: $1.49
          • Price: $13.46
           

          Accessory Packages

          B&H Photo -  Lavalier Accessory Backup Kit
          • Price: $11.95
           

          Cases & Protection

          Pelican -  1020 Micro Case (Clear Black)
          • Price: $11.95
           
          View all Accessories

          What's in the Box

          Shure MX185 - Cardioid Wired Lavalier Condenser Microphone
          • Zipper Bag
          • Foam Windscreen
          • Snap-Fit Windscreen
          • Tie Clip
          • Dual Tie Clip
          • RK100PK In-Line Preamp with XLR Connection
          • Hex Wrench #4
          • 1 Year Warranty
           
           
          See any errors on this page? Let us know.

          Close

          Close