Crown PCC-160

$81.02 to $525.00 Price Tier: Standard

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Page last updated Jun 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated June 7, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (5)

$525.00 $464.90 $60.10

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4.6 (16)

$464.90 $446.99 $17.91 New

$429.99 Used (Very Good)

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5.0 (1)

$81.02 4 available New

$165.00 5 available Used

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4.7 (3)

$525.00

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4.9 (15)

$422.00 $418.00 $4.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $350

Standard/Professional

$100

$401+

Price Tier

In the Condenser Microphones category, Crown PCC-160 is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Crown PCC-160". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Introducing the Crown PCC-160, a boundary microphone that redefines precision and versatility for professional audio environments. This condenser mic is designed to excel in various applications, from stage performances to conference rooms, thanks to its robust features and thoughtful engineering.

The PCC-160 employs Phase Coherent Cardioid (PCC) technology, integrating ultra-small diaphragms that effectively eliminate phase cancellations. This ensures a smooth frequency response from 50Hz to 18kHz, capturing clear and accurate sound without unwanted interference. Its half-supercardioid polar pattern provides exceptional gain before feedback, making it ideal for minimizing ambient noise and focusing on the desired audio source.

For those who require adaptability, the PCC-160 offers a 3-position bass-tilt switch, allowing you to tailor the mic’s low-end response to suit specific needs. Handling up to 120dB SPL, this mic maintains clarity and depth, whether capturing subtle nuances or powerful sounds.

Crafted with a durable metal chassis, the PCC-160 is built to withstand the demands of professional use. Its sleek, low-profile design allows it to discreetly blend into any setup, providing outstanding performance without distracting from the visual aspect of your production.

Key Features:

Frequency response: 50Hz–18kHz
Half-supercardioid polar pattern for excellent gain before feedback
Phase Coherent Cardioid technology to prevent phase interference
Capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 120dB SPL
3-position bass-tilt switch for customizable low-end response
Requires 12V to 48V phantom power
Includes a 4.6m connection cable and protective bag

Product specs

Polar Pattern	Half Cardioid
Installation	No

FAQs

What is the primary application of the Crown PCC-160 microphone?: The Crown PCC-160 is primarily used for professional applications such as stage floors, lecterns, conference tables, and news desks, where improved gain-before-feedback and articulation are crucial.
What polar pattern does the Crown PCC-160 use?: The Crown PCC-160 features a supercardioid polar pattern, which enhances gain before feedback and minimizes unwanted room noise from the rear.
Can the Crown PCC-160 handle high sound pressure levels?: Yes, the Crown PCC-160 can withstand up to 120dB SPL without distortion, making it suitable for high-volume environments.
Does the Crown PCC-160 have any features to adjust sound characteristics?: The Crown PCC-160 includes a bass-tilt switch that allows users to tailor the low-end response for specific applications, enhancing versatility.
How does the boundary layer design of the Crown PCC-160 benefit sound capture?: The boundary layer design reduces sound delay and comb filter interference, resulting in clearer audio capture and improved sound quality.

Reviews

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PROS

Excellent for live sound situations, especially with piano
Ideal for theater and choir, enhancing stage performances
Robust and durable, can withstand stepping on
Offers good adhesion to stage with tape, minimizing slip risks
Clear, high-frequency sound adds brilliance to audio
Cable detachable for easy storage and handling
Direct XLR connection simplifies setup
Effective for opera and school theater applications
Enhances audibility for audience in productions

CONS

Sound may be too bright or sharp for some preferences
EQ adjustments needed to balance high frequencies
Connection point perceived as somewhat fragile

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Crown PCC-160.

Setup and maintenance

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Ensure the PCC-160s are facing the correct direction; incorrect placement can severely impact performance.
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Shimming the rear of the mic by 10° can improve the polar pattern and gain before feedback, especially on wooden stages.
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If turning the gain all the way up doesn’t result in feedback, there might be a gain staging issue within the system.
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Using foam underneath PCCs minimizes low-frequency noise; cutting below 250Hz is acceptable due to reduced low-frequency content from proximity effects.
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Features and functionality

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The PCC-160 has a supercardioid pattern, meaning it has steep off-axis attenuation, which can affect how it picks up sound from different angles.
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The PCC-160s have a low cut feature at the back to help reduce low-end feedback when used in live settings.
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Use cases and applications

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These boundary mics can be spaced ten feet apart along a stage edge for decent coverage, suitable for theater settings.
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Expect more footstep noise on stage; using bitumen for shimming can help decouple the mic and reduce this noise slightly.
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PCC-160s are effective for miking tap shows or when clarity over contact mics is desired, but less ideal for vocal amplification.
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Combining floor mics with shotgun mics aimed upstage can enhance vocal pickup for stage productions, suggesting a multi-mic strategy for optimal results.
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Comparisons

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Bartlett Audio Stage Floor Mic, designed by the original PCC series creator, offers improvements such as eliminating the fragile connector and possibly better sound quality.
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For vocals on stage, alternatives like DPA 4011/4018, Sennheiser MKH 40, or AKG C747 are recommended over PCC-160s for better performance.
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Artist usage

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Josh Hoffman

Singer, Guitarist

Grandfather

Verified via SonicScoop

Used as an ambient mic for the lead vocals on Why'd I Try, as stated by bandmate Michael Kirsch in this self-written October 5, 2010 SonicScoop article.

Vocal (Kentucky facing Center Field)

Main: Neumann U48 -> John Hardy M2 Preamp -> 1176 Fast Release 20:1

Vocal Ambience: Crown PCC -> Expander Keyed to Vocal Mic

Kirsch describes the vocal recording process in depth in "Part III" of the article series.

During our live shows Josh sings while drumming. Nevertheless, we decided to overdub the vocals in the studio. This was primarily for technical reasons: we wanted to have more control of the vocal in the mix, separate from the drums.

Albini’s approach to recording vocals was organic. Using two microphones and an actual metal plate reverb, he set up a vocal chain that would respond to Josh’s voice dynamically and in real-time.

Ordinarily in a lively, reverberating acoustic chamber, the depth and quality of reverb would be directly related to the volume of the voice. A quiet vocal would have minimal reflections whereas a loud, belting vocal would resonate more. In order to capture this on tape, a Crown PCC microphone was setup on the floor of Center Field.

Josh stood in Kentucky, facing Center Field with the door open. The Crown mic was keyed to an expander set to only turn on when he sang loudly. This technique can be heard clearly on our song “You’re Strange.” (Download here — at approximately 3:53, and 4:07 you can hear the Crown mic turn on.)

A Neumann U48 was used as a close mic, capturing all the delicate detail and nuance of Josh’s voice. The vocal was chain was also bussed out to an original Echoplate reverb, built in 1969.

The Echoplate is a large mechanical unit that uses a large sheet of steel, a transducer and contact microphones to create and record reverberation. The voice is sent through a transducer, which vibrates the steel sheet. The resonance is then recorded by the contact mics. The Echoplate provided a rich yet realistic sonic space for the vocal in the mix.

Electrical Audio, where Why'd I Try was recorded, specifies a PCC-160 in its equipment list.