- Learn about the unique Sonic Presence SP15C microphones
- Learn about spatial microphones and all their wonderful use-cases
- Learn about the alternatives out there.
As the world of spatial audio, 3D sound, and ASMR gains more popularity, the demand for recording spatial audio is rising in the audio world.
But although the demand seems to be there, the options for recording spatial sound seem extremely limited.
Especially regarding accessibility and comfort, the pre-existing spatial audio microphones are heavy and hard to use.
A relatively new microphone called the Sonic Presence SP15C offers a refreshing and creative solution.
Sonic Presence SP15C (Is It Worth The Money?)
The Sonic Presence SP15C is a very affordable microphone that is under $200 and serves a specific purpose for a specific audience.
The people that purchase this microphone for studio recording and a way to replace your large vocal diaphragm microphone will be disappointed.
The SP15C is targeted for recording podcasts on the go, ASMR that benefits from spatial audio, or recording ambient sound. And for this specific use, it is an amazing microphone for the price.
When I first opened the box, I was pretty intrigued and perplexed at the design of this microphone.
The Sonic Presence SP15C reminded me of a mix between an earphone with wires and a doctor’s equipment.
The small microphone attached certainly didn’t look like it could record at a detailed level, and they were extremely light and portable.
Especially compared to other common ambient microphones like Zoom, the SP15C had a completely different look and approach.
Sonic Presence SP15C Review
Build Quality (8/10)
It is hard to say about build quality because there are no comparisons in the market. SP15C is in a league of its own, and as a portable microphone, the build quality is top-notch and reliable.
I tested the durability by taking this microphone almost everywhere for several days.
The microphone bends very well and folds just like earphones. I fit it into my jeans pocket quite easily and pull it out whenever I hear intriguing noises around me.
One downside might be the lack of a windshield or screen to block the wind noise.
Other microphones that have similar use usually come with windshields, so adding a pair of attachable windshields might come in handy.
But at the end of the day, the SP15C is very durable, from my experience.
At the same time, this microphone is a new kind of microphone and will have to be tested by creators worldwide.
Sound Quality (9/10)
As mentioned in the first impressions section, I didn’t expect much regarding sound quality.
The microphones seem tiny, and my natural inclination was to think that the audio quality wouldn’t be too good.
But surprisingly, after testing this microphone on my iPhone and Macbook Pro, the audio quality was way beyond my expectation.
My first test was out on the streets and recording my environment on my way home. The audio allowed me to visualize my surroundings when listening to my iPhone Voice Memos.
This was my first experience with 360° Spatial Audio, and to have this much power with these tiny microphones was mind-blowing.
Because it uses your head as a dummy, you can visualize the cars going by, people talking behind or beside you, and even the small details you don’t normally notice.
This microphone is not designed for a studio recording microphone to record vocals or instruments.
So people mistakenly buying this for that purpose will be disappointed. I tried to record vocals in this microphone, and because of the lack of a windshield or a pop filter, it seemed to pick up many popping noises.
On the other hand, recording a live show from a distance works beautifully with this microphone.
Providing 16/24-bit resolution and having the ability to record 20 to 35,000 Hz, the SP15C will be a great microphone for ASMRists.
For recording barbershop-like effects or providing an immersive experience for your audience, the Sonic Presence SP15C will be a perfect fit.
However, remember these microphones will not be enough to replace expensive condenser microphones that allow extremely detailed and up-close recordings.
Features (8/10)
Considering this microphone is new in the market, the features seem well thought-out. But there are a couple of things that might improve the user experience.
The USB Type-C connector lets you connect straight to your Macbook and iPad and record without additional DAWs.
This is convenient for people unfamiliar with DAWs and allows them to record straight-on Zoom meetings, Garage Band, Voice Memos, and various basic camera apps on their Android or iOS devices.
But the downside is that the box only comes with a USB-C cable, and you will need to purchase additional cables to use the microphone on your phones or older versions of computers.
The SP15C does not have hear-back or monitoring capability, so even though it looks like a pair of earphones, you won’t be able to listen back while recording.
In my experience, I had to gain some trust in the microphone to be able to press the record for a long period freely.
Comfort (9/10)
Sonic Presence SP15C is so easy to carry around and access on the go, and so for that purpose, it’s excellent.
The easy access makes this a great microphone to carry with you and pick up inspirations outdoors.
I recommend you try this microphone out and maybe even try going to obscure places to capture the ambient noises.
Since I have used headphones with wires for a long time, the microphone felt quite comfortable and natural.
But glass wearers might have difficulty using this microphone because it wraps around your ear and might not hold in place for some people.
What Are Binaural Microphones Anyway?
Binaural microphones are stereo microphones that depict the human ear and allow us to record three-dimensional sounds.
They capture the same way our ears hear sounds; our brains process them with directional cues.
Recordings made by binaural microphones allow us to experience the sensation of being in the same space as where the audio was first recorded.
Alternatives to Sonic Presence SP15C
3Dio Free Space
The most common binaural microphone is the 3Dio Free Space binaural microphone.
This microphone is used by many ASMRists and creators worldwide, and it is also physically built to mimic human ears.
The advantage of this microphone is that it can stand by itself, and all you have to do is speak into the “ears” of the microphone.
The downside is that these are heavy and not portable microphones. These are 3-4 times the price of a Sonic Presence SP15C.
Zoom H6
Zoom microphones function differently from the previously mentioned binaural microphones.
They use the older recording style with coincident microphones, where the audio is time aligned, and there is no time difference between the left and right channels.
Nevertheless, Zoom H6 and other Zoom microphones have been popular for recording ambient sounds and outdoors.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the Sonic Presence SP15C is an intriguing and exciting tool for creators and musicians.
And because it is an innovative and unique microphone, the applications range from ASMR, ambient noises, and live shows to podcasts.
This microphone will also motivate you to take it outdoors and explore the soundscape in detail. Moreover, this microphone has no direct replacement or alternative.
