Heil PR40 XLR Microphone Review 4 of 4

Over the next few days, I will go over four microphones that I have personally used as a teacher or technology coach.  This review series includes the Yeti USB Microphone, Snowball USB Microphone, Audio Technica AT2005 USB/XLR Microphone, and Heil PR40 Microphone.

Personal Experience

Over the past ten years, I have learned a lot about audio recording.  In 2009, I began recording my lessons for a student who had an IEP stating that the need for alternative methods for note-taking.  For this, I used the microphone on my computer. Though the audio was just “ok” this was sufficient for meeting the needs of the student.

A few years later, I started to “Flip” my classroom.  Flipping your classroom, to me, means having your students learn the information at home so they can apply the content learned at school through labs, practice problems, and classroom projects.  To Flip my classroom, I used Screencast-o-matic to make a screencast of my PowerPoint Presentations. I used a Blue Yeti Microphone to record my audio and tried the Snowball microphone many years later.

In 2018, my buddy and co-host Nick and I started podcasting because of a graduate school and doctorate school assignment.  Through the recommendation of many podcasters, we purchased two Audio-Technica AT2005 USB/XLR microphones. Once we decided to continue our podcast past the requirements of our coursework, we purchased a pair of Heil PR40 microphones.  Below, find our review on the microphones we used on our educational journey.

Heil Sound PR 40 Dynamic Cardioid Studio Microphone

Cost:

$299-$400

*** I see this microphone on sale on the B&H Photo Video site for around $299 a couple of times a year.  Like the Yeti, pay attention to the different colors of this microphone.  There are several different price-points for the different colors available.

Heil Sound PR 40 Specs

Analog Performance

Transducer Dynamic

Polar Pattern Cardioid

Frequency Range 28 Hz to 18 kHz

Maximum SPL 148 dB SPL

Impedance 600 Ohms

Sensitivity -53.9 dB at 1 kHz

Output Connectors 1 x 3-Pin XLR

Weight 13.5 oz / 383 g

Functionality:

This is a professional XLR recording mic that belongs in a studio.  The mono-directional sound quality is fantastic. The quality of this microphone will not disappoint you.

Transfer:

I would not recommend moving this microphone too many times.  This microphone is meant for a studio not travel.  I will bump up the score of this microphone because of the nifty carrying case that it is packaged in.

Recommended Use:

I recommend this microphone for professional applications.  You are paying a premium price for a microphone that has premium-level audio recording capabilities.  I see this microphone as being overkill for flipping your classroom and for general recording purposes.  Podcasters that use this microphone will not regret using this mic; however, if you are on a budget, I would stick with the Audio-Technica AT2005.

Microphone Review Series (4 Total Reviews)

1. Yeti USB (Microphone Review 1 of 4)
2. Snowball USB (Microphone Review 2 of 4)
3. Audio-Technica AT2005 USB/XLR (Microphone Review 3 of 4)
4. Heil PR40 XLR (Microphone Review 4 of 4)