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[Ed Note: This is a -24 dB sensitivity microphone, about as sensitive as any microphone on the market today. Powered by PiP with small recorders that do not provide phantom power, like my Evistr! I have placed the microphone between two boundary surfaces at right angles to each other, the mic facing outward and nearly flush with the surfaces. Presumably that should provide upwards of 12 dB boost to the sensitivity, making the setup have an overall -12 dB sensitivity. Sounds fantastic! I am not seeing it in my records. I am not even sure if the mic itself has a -24 dB sensitivity.
Web pages I have consulted for suggestions on Lavs used for field recording mostly stress their small size and portability. I mean virtually ALL field recording web pages stress this. That's it. I am unsure if there is any other particular advantage in them, maybe price. My current limited evaluation of this microphone leaves me less than optimistic that it will perform well. Right now I have the impression it is not much more sensitive than the internal Evistr mics. The mics supplied with my Tascam DR-05X are more sensitive.]
$90
Features:
Flat frequency response
Can be used directly with device that has 1.5 to 10vdc “plug-in-power” available at the mic jack
Premium windscreen and removable clip included
The following image shows the SP-LAV-1 mounted flush in the center of my homegrown two-surface boundary rig. A german criticism of the PZM concept appears to favor the microhone to be forward-facing with an obstacle in front. The function of the obstacle is to prevent an increase in the high frequencies. As my goal is to record low-frequency owl calls, and because fashioning and placing an obstacle is trouble, I have neglected this aspect.
Overall I am most underwhelmed with the performance of this setup. The Wildtronics Pro-Mini dish with Mini PiP microphone (also -24 dB sensitivity) gives greater response. On the down side, I am starting to experience moisture issues with the Mini PiP. The SP-LAV-1 may or may not be more moisture sensitive though I have no reason to believe so. My evening / night owl recording setup remains a work in progress.
KJS 02/2026