Boundary Microphones for Conference & Stage

Boundary microphones sit flat on a table, lectern, floor or ceiling and use that surface to pick up sound, which keeps them discreet and out of the way. Installers, venues, schools and conference rooms use them for meetings, panels and presentations, and drummers and engineers use the kick drum versions inside or in front of a bass drum.

The section covers Shure Microflex (MX391, MX392BE, MX393, the MX395 button range and the MX396 dual-element and tri-element models), the Shure CVB-B, Sennheiser’s MEB102, MEB104 and MEB114, Audio Technica’s U841R, U851R, U891R, PRO42 and PRO44, and the SE Electronics BL8. For kick drum there is the Shure BETA 91A and the Sennheiser e901.

Polar pattern is the main choice. Omnidirectional picks up evenly all round and suits one mic serving several people around a table. Cardioid and supercardioid reject more of the room and cut down on paper noise and nearby talkers, so they suit one mic per seat. Bidirectional versions of the MX395 pick up two people facing each other. The MX396 combines two or three cardioid elements in one housing to cover more of a table.

Next, decide between on-table and install models. The Sennheiser MEB114 is listed as on-table, the MEB102 and MEB104 have install versions, and the small MX395 button mics sit almost flush for a discreet look. Models with a switch, such as the Audio Technica U891R and U891RCb with remote switch, or LED versions of the MX395, let talkers see or control their mic. Finishes run black, white and silver on many models.

See also Conference & Paging Microphones and our conference and gooseneck microphone buying guide.

Boundary Microphones FAQs

Omni or cardioid for a meeting table? Omni works when one mic covers several people in a quiet room. Cardioid or supercardioid is the better pick when each talker has their own mic or the room is noisy.

Do boundary microphones need phantom power? Condenser boundary mics generally do, from the mixer or a power module. Check the product details for the exact requirement of each model.

What is a boundary mic for kick drum? Models like the Shure BETA 91A and Sennheiser e901 lie inside or in front of a bass drum to capture the beater attack and body without a stand. See our guide on how to mic a drum kit.