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Sony C-80 Unidirectional Studio Condenser Microphone

BH #SOC80SCM • MFR #C-80
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Sony C-80 Unidirectional Studio Condenser Microphone
Key Features
  • Powerful Vocals with Rich Midrange
  • Dual-Diaphragm Capsule
  • Unidirectional Polar Pattern
  • Handles up to 138 dB SPL
The C-80 from Sony is a condenser microphone designed to deliver professional-quality vocal recordings with a powerful and rich midrange along with a hint of added presence to cut through the mix. The mic’s dual-capsule design helps to reduce proximity effect and provide a consistent-sounding response, even if the vocalist moves slightly closer or further away from the mic during a take.
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Sony C-80 Overview

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From Manufacturer

The C-80 from Sony is a condenser microphone designed to deliver professional-quality vocal recordings with a powerful and rich midrange along with a hint of added presence to cut through the mix. The mic’s dual-capsule design helps to reduce proximity effect and provide a consistent-sounding response, even if the vocalist moves slightly closer or further away from the mic during a take.

Great care has been taken to ensure that the mic provides sonic character and little else. The two-part metallic construction is based on the highly regarded C-800G and C-100 models and prevents acoustic vibrations, helping to keep inherent noise and unwanted sonic artifacts out of your recordings.

The large-diaphragm condenser element yields a true frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with a dynamic range of more than 125.5 dB. The C-80 plays quite nicely, even with loud singers, as the capsule offers a -10 dB pad and can handle SPLs up to 138 dB. A high-pass filter is also on board to help reduce low-end rumbles and other unwanted low-end frequencies, while a suspension shockmount is included to isolate the mic from vibrations and handling noise. A carrying case is also supplied for storage and transport.

Dual-Diaphragm Design
At the core of the C-80's excellent sonic character is the dual-diaphragm microphone element, which helps to minimize proximity effects for sonically consistent recordings. In addition, the cardioid polar pattern focuses audio capture at the area around the mic, reducing unwanted sound from the rear and sides.
Exceptional Signal Response
The large-diaphragm condenser element yields a true frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with a dynamic range of more than 125.5 dB. The result is a flat-frequency response that maintains detail with low signals and transients. With a high sensitivity of -30 dB/Pa, the C-80 microphone can capture subtle nuances at high frequencies with low noise levels and minimum distortion.
Aluminum Body
The C-80 microphone incorporates a two-part aluminum body that helps to prevent acoustic vibration from reaching the microphone capsule, resulting in clarity of sonic reproduction.
UPC: 027242925557

Sony C-80 Specs

Key Specs
Microphone Type
Large Diaphragm
Polar Pattern
Unidirectional
Element Type
Condenser
Controls
Low Cut/HPF
Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz
Maximum SPL
138 dB
Analog Output
1x XLR 3-Pin Male
Power Sources
Phantom Power
Microphone
Microphone Type
Large Diaphragm
Polar Pattern
Unidirectional
Element Type
Condenser
Sound Field
Mono
Orientation
Side Address
Controls
Low Cut/HPF
Pad
-10 dB
Circuitry
Solid-State
Performance
Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz
Maximum SPL
138 dB
Dynamic Range
125.5 dB
Equivalent Noise Level
12.5 dB
Connectivity
Analog Output Connector
1x XLR 3-Pin Male
Power
Power Sources
Phantom Power
Operating Voltage
44 to 52 V
Physical
Color
Black
Dimensions
ø: 1.6 x L: 6.2" / ø: 40 x L: 158 mm
Weight
7.6 oz / 215 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.065 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
10.9 x 10.1 x 3.5"

Sony C-80 Reviews

Tears of Joy

By Leslie
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-09-26

I finally made the leap to the MixPre3. It was time for a comparably, high-quality studio mic to pair with it. First, there is no hype surrounding this mic. The reviews are accurate. The sound is full and beautiful and the self noise virtually non-existent. However, to compare the C-80 to the D1 shotgun mic and my Antelope Edge (if you can), I had to turn the gain way down on the C-80 to record the same scenarios; apparently, the C-80 is much more sensitive than other mics. This of course means you can keep the gain down which keeps the self-noise down. You could spend A LOT more money for a studio microphone. For the money, this is a superior studio mic. If you are on a budget, pairing the C-80 to a high-quality sound recorder is better bang for buck (IMHO) than going with a more expensive mic and a cheaper recorder. As for a studio mic, unless I decide I need a matched pair, I may never need another. Which brings me to another point. The sound on this mic is so beautiful, that, naturally, it leaves me daydreaming about what a mic like this could do in the field. But alas, the Sony C80 is a studio mic and is not built for field work. And so, here is my only request: Sony, at this price point, you are dealing with Indie creators here. We think out of the box because we have to get the job done on pennies for dollars. That means everything we invest in has to do double or triple duty. PLEASE: make another version of this mic (even if it is a hundred or two more), but make it weatherproof so we can take it out of the studio and get it into the field!! You might be amazed where a mic like that would go.

Sounds very rich

By D'Mark
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-03-23

Thanks B&H for the unexpected next day shipping. The mic came in packaged well. Delivered faster than expected I used the mic, on first listen to the raw audio I wasn't really noticing the difference from my old mic, then I processed the audio a bit and I noticed how flat my old mic sounded and how round, full, and crisp the Sony C-80 sounded. I'm satisfied, If I ever had a reason to I would buy another, but I'd likely just get a c-100 next or maybe if things go well a C-800G

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