AudioFu

Best DPA Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones 2026

Premium DPA small diaphragm condenser microphones - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Acoustic Instruments For Overhead For Piano For Strings For Classical For Field Recording
BRANDS: Schoeps Rode DPA Sennheiser Neumann Shure the t.bone Audio-Technica SE Electronics Sontronics AKG Microtech Gefell Sanken
DPA ST2006C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

DPA ST2006C

by DPA
Strings Overhead Acoustic Instruments
Key Feature:
• Great for acoustic instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Great for acoustic instruments
  • • Excellent for stereo recording
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful positioning
  • • May sound harsh on some sources

DPA ST 2006C, Stereo Microphone Set *Consists of 2 modular compact reference standard microphones:*Pre-polarized double...

⭐ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 273584
$1,868
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 4017C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

DPA 4017C

by DPA
Overhead Strings Piano
Key Feature:
• Excellent for stereo recording
✓ PROS
  • • Minimal coloration of sound
  • • Extended high-frequency response
✗ CONS
  • • Less forgiving than large diaphragm
  • • Can emphasize room acoustics

DPA 4017 CCondenser Shotgun MicrophonePolar pattern: Super-cardioidFrequency range: 20 - 20000 HzMax. SPL (sound...

⭐ 5.0/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 345674
$1,792
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA ST4006A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

DPA ST4006A

by DPA
Acoustic Instruments Piano Field Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional recording standard
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for stereo recording
  • • Accurate transient response
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful positioning
  • • Less forgiving than large diaphragm

DPA ST4006A, Microphone Set for Stereo Recording*Consisting of 2x DPA 4006 A microphones*Ideal for A-B stereophony in...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 223222
$5,224
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 4098-DC-G-B01-015 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

DPA 4098-DC-G-B01-015

by DPA
Piano Strings Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for acoustic instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Accurate transient response
  • • Great for acoustic instruments
✗ CONS
  • • May sound harsh on some sources
  • • More expensive per channel for stereo

DPA 4098-DC-G-B01-015Condenser suspension and podium microphonePolar pattern: SupercardioidFrequency range: 100 - 15000...

⭐ 4.4/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 504995
$768
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 4098-DC-G-B01-030 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

DPA 4098-DC-G-B01-030

by DPA
Field Recording Piano Overhead
Key Feature:
• Minimal coloration of sound
✓ PROS
  • • Minimal coloration of sound
  • • Accurate transient response
✗ CONS
  • • Can emphasize room acoustics
  • • Requires careful positioning

DPA 4098-DC-G-B01-030Condenser suspension and podium microphonePolar pattern: SupercardioidFrequency range: 100 - 15000...

⭐ 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 504998
$768
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 4098-DC-G-B00-030 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

DPA 4098-DC-G-B00-030

by DPA
Acoustic Instruments Field Recording Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for acoustic instruments
✓ PROS
  • • Extended high-frequency response
  • • Minimal coloration of sound
✗ CONS
  • • Can emphasize room acoustics
  • • More expensive per channel for stereo

DPA 4098-DC-G-B00-030Condenser suspension and podium microphonePolar pattern: SupercardioidFrequency range: 100 - 15000...

⭐ 4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 504992
$658
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA ST2011C - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

DPA ST2011C

by DPA
Overhead Acoustic Instruments Field Recording
Key Feature:
• Minimal coloration of sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for acoustic instruments
  • • Accurate transient response
✗ CONS
  • • Can emphasize room acoustics
  • • Requires careful positioning

DPA ST 2011CStereo Microphone SetConsisting of 2x compact modular reference standard microphonePre-polarized double...

⭐ 4.6/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 304410
$2,023
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 4099-DP-1-101-U - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

DPA 4099-DP-1-101-U

by DPA
Strings Piano Overhead
Key Feature:
• Professional recording standard
✓ PROS
  • • Minimal coloration of sound
  • • Professional recording standard
✗ CONS
  • • Can emphasize room acoustics
  • • Requires careful positioning

DPA 4099-DP-1-101-UCondenser Clip-On Microphone with Universal MountPolar pattern: SupercardioidFrequency response: 20...

⭐ 5.0/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 619263
$670
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 4011A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

DPA 4011A

by DPA
Field Recording Strings Overhead
Key Feature:
• Extended high-frequency response
✓ PROS
  • • Great for acoustic instruments
  • • Excellent for stereo recording
✗ CONS
  • • Less forgiving than large diaphragm
  • • Requires careful positioning

DPA d: dicate 4011ASmall Diaphragm Condenser MicrophoneWell suited for acoustic guitar and as a drum overhead...

⭐ 4.7/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 149515
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 2012 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

DPA 2012

by DPA
Overhead Strings Acoustic Instruments
Key Feature:
• Minimal coloration of sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for stereo recording
  • • Minimal coloration of sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less forgiving than large diaphragm
  • • May sound harsh on some sources

DPA 2012Condenser Directional MicrophoneIdeal for recording individual instruments in loud environmentse.g. for close...

⭐ 4.7/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 561855
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 4090 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

DPA 4090

by DPA
Acoustic Instruments Classical Piano
Key Feature:
• Excellent for stereo recording
✓ PROS
  • • Extended high-frequency response
  • • Professional recording standard
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive per channel for stereo
  • • Can emphasize room acoustics

DPA 4090 High SensOmnidirectional Instrument MicrophonePrepolarized 5.4 mm membraneIdeal for miking instruments in the...

⭐ 4.6/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 192066
$681
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA ST4011A - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

DPA ST4011A

by DPA
Classical Piano Field Recording
Key Feature:
• Excellent for stereo recording
✓ PROS
  • • Minimal coloration of sound
  • • Excellent for stereo recording
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive per channel for stereo
  • • Can emphasize room acoustics

DPA ST4011AStereo SetConsists of: 2 x DPA 4011 A small diaphragm condenser microphonesMMP-A preamplifierPeli case2 x...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 477290
$4,124
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 2017 Shotgun Microphone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

DPA 2017 Shotgun Microphone

by DPA
Acoustic Instruments Overhead Classical
Key Feature:
• Professional recording standard
✓ PROS
  • • Minimal coloration of sound
  • • Professional recording standard
✗ CONS
  • • Can emphasize room acoustics
  • • May sound harsh on some sources

DPA 2017 Shotgun MicrophoneCondenser Shotgun MicrophonePolar pattern: SupercardioidFrequency range: 20 - 20000...

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 576089
$1,032
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 4099-DP-1-101-P - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

DPA 4099-DP-1-101-P

by DPA
Classical Strings Piano
Key Feature:
• Accurate transient response
✓ PROS
  • • Extended high-frequency response
  • • Excellent for stereo recording
✗ CONS
  • • Requires careful positioning
  • • Less forgiving than large diaphragm

DPA 4099-DP-1-101-PPair of clip-on condenser microphones for recording a grand pianoPolar pattern:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 619256
$1,396
Buy at Thomann View Details
DPA 4099-DP-1-101-MS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

DPA 4099-DP-1-101-MS

by DPA
Strings Field Recording Overhead
Key Feature:
• Minimal coloration of sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for acoustic instruments
  • • Minimal coloration of sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less forgiving than large diaphragm
  • • May sound harsh on some sources

DPA 4099-DP-1-101-MSClip-On Condenser Microphone for Instrument Miking4099 CORE+Polar pattern: SupercardioidFrequency...

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 619261
$681
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced small diaphragm condenser microphones typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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