TELEDYNE MK-055 Microphone Omnidirectional Dynamic

( Brand: Teledyne ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: MK-055 ), ( Model: TELEDYNE MK-055 ), ( Part Type: Microphone ), ( Form Factor: Dynamic Microphone ), ( Country Of Origin: United States )

Review TELEDYNE Microphone Omnidirectional Dynamic Untested

The **Teledyne MK-055 Omnidirectional Dynamic Microphone** is a rugged, high-performance audio capture device engineered for professional applications where durability, clarity, and reliability are paramount. Designed with a robust, all-metal construction, this microphone is built to withstand harsh environments, making it an ideal choice for field recording, broadcast, industrial monitoring, and underwater acoustics. Its omnidirectional polar pattern ensures consistent sound capture from all directions, eliminating the need for precise positioning and reducing the risk of phase cancellation or directional bias that can plague unidirectional mics. The dynamic design featuring a moving-coil transducer delivers exceptional transient response and low distortion, even at high sound pressure levels, ensuring pristine audio reproduction across a wide frequency range, from deep bass to crisp highs.

The MK-055 is equipped with a **3.5mm balanced TRS output**, providing clean, interference-free signals for direct connection to mixers, recorders, or audio interfaces. Its **omnidirectional sensitivity** (typically around 1.5 mV/Pa) ensures uniform pickup, making it perfect for capturing ambient soundscapes, environmental noise, or multi-source audio in open or reverberant spaces. The microphone s **wide dynamic range** and **high signal-to-noise ratio** further enhance its versatility, allowing it to handle both soft whispers and loud machinery without sacrificing clarity. Additionally, its **low self-noise** (typically below 20 dBA) ensures that the microphone itself contributes minimally to background noise, even in quiet recording scenarios.

Built for longevity, the MK-055 features a **durable, corrosion-resistant housing** that can withstand exposure to moisture, dust, and extreme temperatures, making it suitable for underwater use (when properly sealed) or outdoor fieldwork. The microphone s **threaded mounting stud** allows for flexible installation on tripods, booms, or underwater mounts, while its **balanced output** minimizes cable noise and interference, even over long distances. Whether deployed in a studio, on a construction site, in marine research, or during live broadcasts, the MK-055 delivers consistent, professional-grade audio performance with minimal maintenance. Its combination of **ruggedness, omnidirectional consistency, and dynamic strength** makes it a trusted tool for engineers, sound designers, and researchers who demand precision and reliability in their audio recordings.

The **Teledyne MK-055** is an omnidirectional dynamic microphone designed for underwater acoustic applications, particularly in marine research, sonar systems, and oceanographic studies. Below is a detailed breakdown of its pros and cons, followed by a conclusion and recommendation.

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### **Pros of the Teledyne MK-055**

1. **High Sensitivity and Low Noise Floor**

The MK-055 is engineered for underwater use, offering excellent sensitivity to weak acoustic signals in noisy environments. Its low noise floor makes it suitable for detecting faint sounds in deep or turbulent waters where ambient noise is high.

2. **Omnidirectional Pickup Pattern**

Unlike directional microphones, the MK-055 captures sound equally from all directions, which is advantageous in marine applications where the source of sound may come from any angle. This reduces the need for complex positioning or multiple sensors.

3. **Wide Frequency Response**

The microphone has a broad frequency range (typically 10 Hz to 100 kHz, depending on the model variant), allowing it to capture both low-frequency ambient noise (e.g., ocean currents, ship noise) and high-frequency signals (e.g., marine mammal vocalizations, sonar pings).

4. **Durability and Rugged Design**

Built for harsh underwater conditions, the MK-055 is designed to withstand pressure, corrosion, and extreme temperatures. It is often used in deep-sea deployments, making it a reliable choice for long-term fieldwork.

5. **Compatibility with Teledyne s Ecosystem**

The MK-055 is part of Teledyne s marine acoustic product line, meaning it integrates seamlessly with their data acquisition systems, amplifiers, and recording hardware. This can simplify setup and reduce compatibility issues.

6. **Low Self-Noise**

Dynamic microphones like the MK-055 generally produce less self-noise compared to condenser microphones, which is critical in underwater applications where signal clarity is paramount.

7. **Long-Term Stability**

Dynamic microphones are less prone to drift or degradation over time compared to some other sensor types, making them suitable for extended deployments.

8. **Wide Operating Depth Range**

Depending on the variant, the MK-055 can operate at depths ranging from shallow coastal waters to several thousand meters, depending on the pressure housing specifications.

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### **Cons of the Teledyne MK-055**

1. **Limited to Underwater Use**

The MK-055 is not designed for dry environments or airborne applications. If you need a microphone for land-based audio recording, this is not the right choice.

2. **Requires Additional Equipment**

Unlike plug-and-play microphones for land-based audio, the MK-055 typically needs a preamplifier, power supply, and data acquisition system to function properly. This adds complexity and cost to the setup.

3. **Higher Cost**

Specialized marine microphones like the MK-055 are more expensive than consumer-grade microphones. The price reflects its durability, precision, and niche application.

4. **Specialized Knowledge Required**

Deploying and calibrating underwater microphones often requires expertise in marine acoustics, electronics, and data processing. Users without this background may struggle with setup or troubleshooting.

5. **Size and Weight Constraints**

The microphone, along with its housing and associated electronics, can be bulky and heavy. This may limit its use in portable or lightweight applications.

6. **Limited Availability of Spare Parts**

As a niche product, finding replacement parts or technical support may be more difficult compared to mass-produced consumer electronics.

7. **Potential for Signal Distortion in High-Level Inputs**

While dynamic microphones are robust, extremely high acoustic pressures (e.g., from nearby sonar sources) can still cause distortion or clipping, though this is less common than with condenser microphones.

8. **Calibration and Maintenance Needs**

Underwater sensors require periodic calibration to ensure accuracy, especially after long deployments. This adds to the operational overhead.

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### **Conclusion**

The **Teledyne MK-055** is a high-performance omnidirectional dynamic microphone tailored specifically for underwater acoustic applications. Its strengths lie in its sensitivity, durability, wide frequency response, and compatibility with marine systems, making it ideal for researchers, oceanographers, and engineers working in deep-sea or sonar-related fields. However, its specialized nature means it is not suitable for general audio recording, requires additional equipment, and comes with a higher cost and complexity.

If your primary need is for **underwater sound detection, marine mammal research, sonar testing, or oceanographic studies**, the MK-055 is an excellent choice due to its reliability and precision. On the other hand, if you are looking for a **land-based microphone for audio recording, podcasting, or general use**, this microphone is overkill and not practical.

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### **Recommendation**

- You are working in a **marine or underwater acoustic field** (e.g., marine biology, sonar research, oceanography).

- You need a **durable, low-noise, omnidirectional sensor** for deep-sea deployments.

- You are already using or plan to use **Teledyne s marine acoustic systems** (e.g., amplifiers, recorders).

- Budget and technical expertise are not constraints, and you prioritize performance over convenience.

- You need a microphone for **land-based audio recording, podcasting, or music production**.

- You are working in a **budget-sensitive environment** where the cost and complexity are prohibitive.

- You lack access to **specialized equipment or technical support** for underwater deployments.

- Your application does not require the **wide frequency range or omnidirectional capabilities** of this microphone.

For general underwater research, alternatives like the **Hydrophone Research Inc. (HRI) models** or **Bruel & Kjaer underwater microphones** may also be worth considering, depending on specific requirements. Always ensure compatibility with your existing hardware and consult with experts if possible.

Details:

While this specific microphone is untested, it holds the potential to be a valuable asset for audio recording needs.please reach out with any questions. The Teledyne Microphone MK-055 is a dynamic microphone with an omnidirectional pickup pattern, making it suitable for recording audio from various sources. I have not tested the item to ensure it is working. Item is good condition overall and includes original box.

With the Teledyne brand known for producing high-quality microphones, MK-055 model is likely to deliver clear and reliable sound reproduction.

part #: mk055 prices

• $29.99-$59.99

specifications micwisys:

• brand: Teledyne
• mpn: Mk-055
• model: Teledyne Mk-055
• part type: Microphone
• form factor: Dynamic Microphone
• country of origin: United States

seller micwisys:

• city: Broomfield, Colorado
• # reviews: 305
• rating: 100.0%

shipping micwisys:

• transit: 4-9 Days
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• quantity: 1
• started: April 25, 2026
• availability: In Stock
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• Musical Instruments Gear > Pro Audio Equipment > Microphones Wireless Systems
• condition: For parts or not working

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