AKG D5

Make Brand	AKG Acoustics
Series	Reference Dynamic
Applications	Multipurpose Singing Vocals General Instruments Live

Documentation & Links

Official SpecsheetUser ManualManufacturer website link

Truly multipurpose supercardioid stage microphone

The AKG D5 is an entry-level handheld dynamic microphone with supercardioid polar pattern. However, it also comes with a cardioid variant called D5C.

In total, the mic comes in four variants: AKG D5 (Supercardioid, without on/off switch), AKG D5S ( Same, but has on/off switch), AKG D5C ( cardioid, without switch ), AKG D5CS ( Cardioid, with switch).

Being a supercardioid, the AKG D5 well-suited for live/stage performances that require absolute noise isolation.

Although its primarily endorsed for vocals, the flat mids with smooth presence/brightness boost makes it a truly multipurpose microphone that works well with lead/backing vocals as well as full-range instruments such as piano, horns, strings woodwinds etc.

The effective frequency response bandwidth of the AKG D5 ranges between 70Hz – 20kHz.

It’s tonal character is interesting. The high-pass upto 70Hz helps in isolating handling noise and rumble that would be otherwise problematic in onstage environments and produces a clean upper-bass.

In the mids, we see a smooth gain of +2dB at 1.5kHz – 2.5kHz range, this can be helpful in emphasizing the attack in instruments.

Overall, the mic has a warm and rounded tone (warmer than SM58) that’s complimentary for people with thin/natural voices. The color is flattering for vocals and there is no evidence of nasalilty/honkiness in this mic according to users.