Pricing and availability
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $828
High-end/Boutique
$75
$201+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "DPA 4088". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The DPA 4088 is a game-changing directional headset microphone designed for professionals who demand pristine sound quality in challenging environments. Its cardioid polar pattern and discreet design make it an ideal choice for theater, broadcast, and live performances. This innovative microphone features DPA's CORE amplifier technology, which enhances both dynamic range and total harmonic distortion by 14dB, ensuring clarity and richness in every spoken word or performance.
Crafted with comfort and versatility in mind, the 4088 comes with a removable and adjustable neckband, allowing for easy left or right-side mounting. Its lightweight and flexible construction, weighing only 0.5 ounces, ensures comfort during extended use, while its resistance to humidity makes it reliable even in demanding conditions. The 4088 also comes equipped with additional accessories like a foam windscreen, makeup cover, clothing clip, and pop screen, enhancing its versatility across various applications.
Whether you're capturing whispered dialogues on stage or dynamic vocal performances in a studio, the DPA 4088 delivers exceptional transparency and headroom. With the ability to handle sound pressure levels up to 144 dB SPL, this microphone excels in environments where fluctuating sound levels are the norm. Its compatibility with most professional wireless systems, thanks to the MicroDot connector and optional adapters, ensures seamless integration into any audio setup.
Key Features:
- Cardioid polar pattern
- Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Dynamic range: 111dB
- Total harmonic distortion: 137dB SPL peak (<1% THD)
- Maximum sound pressure level: 144dB SPL
- Removable and adjustable neckband for flexible positioning
- Compatible with wireless transmitters via B+K connector and optional adapters
- Lightweight and resistant to humidity
Owner's manual
DPA 4088 User ManualProduct specs
| Microphone Type | Condenser |
| Compatibility | Adapter Required for Wireless Connection |
| Connector | MicroDot |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Max SPL | 144dB SPL |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 68dB (A weighted) |
| Self Noise | 26dB (A weighted) |
| Output Impedance | 30-40 ohms |
| Cable Length | 3.9 ft. |
| Weight | 0.03 lbs. |
FAQs
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What is the primary use of the DPA 4088 headset microphone?
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The DPA 4088 is designed for professional vocal performance and spoken word applications, offering an open and natural sound ideal for theater, broadcast, and live events.
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Does the DPA 4088 require phantom power?
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Yes, the DPA 4088 is a condenser microphone and requires phantom power to operate, typically provided by a compatible wireless system or adapter.
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What type of polar pattern does the DPA 4088 have?
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The DPA 4088 features a cardioid polar pattern, which helps isolate the voice from surrounding noise, making it suitable for live performances and broadcast environments.
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Is the DPA 4088 compatible with wireless systems?
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Yes, the DPA 4088 can be used with wireless systems, but it requires an adapter to connect to various wireless transmitters via its MicroDot connector.
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How durable is the DPA 4088 headset microphone for live use?
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The DPA 4088 is known for its flexibility and stability, making it highly durable for live performances and active movement on stage.
Reviews
PROS
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Clear and natural sound reproduction for both speaking and singing
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Minimal feedback, ideal for live and studio productions
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Robust design for durability, especially the 40 series headset
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Comfortable fit, doesn't press or irritate during extended use
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Versatile use across various events and settings
CONS
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Headset ear piece is rigid, less comfortable for long wear
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Packaging is too small, not suitable for long-term storage
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40 series lacks a neck clip for cable strain relief
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Requires expensive adapters that may cause buzzing issues
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about DPA 4088.
Features and functionality
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Users report that DPA 4088 headsets often require significant EQ adjustments on corporate stages to prevent feedback from speakers' wedges.
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The DPA 4488 headset includes a replaceable cable, which enhances its durability and ease of maintenance.
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Microphone Madness offers a 'bullet proof build' option with a 2-year guarantee, noted for its durability.
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Comparisons
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Some users find Sennheiser headsets easier to EQ than DPA 4088, though they appear bulkier.
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DPA's 4488 model is recommended for its reliable staying power and directional capabilities, although the Sennheiser HSP4 offers better gain before feedback with less EQ.
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Microphone Madness headsets are favored by theater professionals for their quality and are preferred over Countryman for comparable performances.
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Use cases and applications
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DPA 4088 headsets perform better in theater settings with sidefills compared to corporate events with wedges.
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The DPA 4088 performs well in musical theater and "talking head" settings but struggles with high stage noise environments like bars with loud instruments.
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For busking with a guitar and portable speaker setup, a directional mic like the Shure SM35 is more suitable than the DPA 4088 due to feedback concerns.
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Point Source Audio's CR-8S is recommended as a more affordable cardioid single-ear mic option suitable for those avoiding headsets.
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Critic Reviews
Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this article, it states that "Katy Perry's engineering team relies on DPA Microphones’ 4088 Cardioid Headset microphones for all of the pop superstar’s live performances, including her current 'California Dreams' tour."
At some Live Performances we can See selena with that Microphone, for example while she was performing "Come and Get it" at the Radio Disney Music Awards 2013.
Nayeon of TWICE uses the DPA 4088 microphone during most of her live performances, as seen in the MBCkpop broadcast of "I CAN'T STOP ME" on October 31, 2020.
IRENE consistently uses the DPA 4088 microphone during live performances, concerts, and promotional events with her group, Red Velvet. This is evident in their "Queendom" comeback stage video on Mnet K-POP's YouTube channel.
Album Usage
The DPA 4088 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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