RN17 Pair

This pair of RN17 small-diaphragm true condensers is built for stereo capture where transient detail matters. Each mic uses a hand-crafted 2/3" true condenser capsule with a 17.2 mm gold-sputtered mylar diaphragm, light enough to track the attack of cymbals, plucked strings and percussion without softening it.

Both bodies carry a full-scale output transformer designed by Rupert Neve, which adds headroom and low-frequency weight uncommon in pencil condensers. Clarity holds across the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, and 131 dB max SPL means the pair can work as drum overheads or in front of a brass section without breaking up. Self-noise of 18 dB and a 76 dB signal-to-noise ratio keep soft passages clean.

Two matched mics open up standard stereo techniques: spaced pair over a drum kit, XY on acoustic guitar, ORTF on a choir or string ensemble, or a Decca-style array over an orchestra. Both bodies accept the RN17 omnidirectional capsule (sold separately), so the same pair can move from focused cardioid close work to wide room capture.

Each mic runs on 48V phantom power through a 3-pin XLR with 200 Ohm output impedance. Custom shock-mounts, thread adapters, a wooden box and a metal case are included.