Comparing NTG5 vs AT 875r

A

aram

Well-known member
I have owned the 875r for about 10 years now and I like it a lot, but saw a pretty good deal on the NTG-5 and decided to add it to my small (2 shotguts, 1 very cheap cardioid and 4 lavaliers) collection.

I put both microphones 8 cm away in parallel with the front of their interference tube at the same height. I spoke a bit and used my phone to generate white noise (which I understand by the nature of the crappy speaker on a phone will be not anywhere close to real white noise, plus there is a lot of noise in London which overlaps with my test) and placed it around the microphones using a measuring tape to keep the distances where I wanted them. The recorder was my also 10 years old Tascam DR-680 which has pretty decent preamps in my experience and both channels were set to the same gain.
The main takeways:

  1. The NTG-5 is noticeably hotter.
  2. The NTG-5 rejects way more noise to the sides.
  3. The AT-875r has a low cut that works great (I actually like my voice better with the unprocessed AT-875r)


You can download the file here if you want to hear it yourself.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eatefYMnykOYERRRcEC8GuBPbhL3W32i/view?usp=sharing
 
The NTG5 has a sensitivity of -23.5 dBV/Pa, which is extremely sensitive compared to most microphones that exist (besides specialty tools).

The AT875R is -30, which is very good - but the reason why it's less hotter.
 
Interesting. I too have both of these mics and my impressions are close.
I use the 875r on camera and the NTG-5 as my main sound kit budget shotgun,
although I've shot plenty of interviews that have made it into films and TV shows with the 875r.

My take away is that for an on-camera mic, I would use the 875r as it's shorter and cheaper and on-camera
mics are always going to be only useful for recording ambient. If you can afford the NTG-5, it's superb value since
it comes with the mic mount and wind protection. But if you cannot afford an NTG-5, the 875r is a great little shotgun
that is fully capable of recording good quality sound too.

Higher output isn't a factor for me, my Sound Devices Mix Pre 3 or my Canon C200, C300 MKII mic pre-amps provide
plenty of gain for either.
 
Last edited:
aram said:
I have owned the 875r for about 10 years now and I like it a lot, but saw a pretty good deal on the NTG-5 and decided to add it to my small (2 shotguts, 1 very cheap cardioid and 4 lavaliers) collection.

I put both microphones 8 cm away in parallel with the front of their interference tube at the same height. I spoke a bit and used my phone to generate white noise (which I understand by the nature of the crappy speaker on a phone will be not anywhere close to real white noise, plus there is a lot of noise in London which overlaps with my test) and placed it around the microphones using a measuring tape to keep the distances where I wanted them. The recorder was my also 10 years old Tascam DR-680 which has pretty decent preamps in my experience and both channels were set to the same gain.
The main takeways:

  1. The NTG-5 is noticeably hotter.
  2. The NTG-5 rejects way more noise to the sides.
  3. The AT-875r has a low cut that works great (I actually like my voice better with the unprocessed AT-875r)


You can download the file here if you want to hear it yourself.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eatefYMnykOYERRRcEC8GuBPbhL3W32i/view?usp=sharing
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing! I have been revisiting my sound gear lately, and this was a fun listen.

This AT mics are good bang for buck! I had several AT's about 10years ago, and felt they stacked up nicely to anything else to there.

AT897 was a standout bargain, in that it could work with anything and can be found for $100 on Ebay. But is also only $200 new.

The AT4000 series mics were pretty stellar. clean and clear. Absolutely dialogue and foley worthy. Cheapest way to get a full high end set that shares the same sound. You can get everything from omni to long shotgun, with used prices ranging from under $100 to maybe $350ish.

But buying that "one" mic, the Rhodes are probably hard to beat. I've never used one, but they always sound good in shoot-outs. And with laws, you are probably not wanting for anything beyond a short shotgun, yeah?

Well, good on ya for doing this comparison and sharing it! Very valuable to have direct examples and hearing your observations!!!

Cheers!
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys.

puredrifting, I am curious. Do you do any EQing to the NTG5? If you do,

Although it is supposed to be quite flat, I found that it accentuated the lower frequencies a bit which made my voice sound a bit off. It fits my partner's voice greatly better and I would barely EQ it for her voice, though.

The main advantage of the NTG5 for me is the noticeably superior sound rejection, since the AT-875r is sensitive enough and the preamps of the old trusty DR-680 can more than drive it.
 
Owner here of several of the mentioned mics. Add there NTG3 to the conversation which is somewhat more expensive. I know nothing of the NTG5. Impressions as follows:

AT875 Obviously a great mic for the bucks. Compact, decent sound, and for a "shotgun" has a fairly forgiving wide pattern due to its length. It should be everyones first shotgun.

AT897 I feel the 897 has about the same sound as the 875 pickup pattern difference not withstanding. Having both has turned out OK because of this. The pattern is much narrower when you need that. It also has the occasionally really handy feature of self power. If you use a plug=on without phantom power, this feature is very valuable. Owning both of them make a nice pair.

NTG3 Not sure how the NTG5 compares. There is no day I would use either of the AT mics over the NTG3 given a choice. It has no bells or whistles, but is reasonably hot, sounds great (greater) and is plenty robust. It has been a great step up from the AT shotguns at more than double the AT pricing.

This isn't a condemnation of the AT mics at all. If anything it is amazing the deliver more than you might expect for the price. I own other AT mics and always feel they deliver quality and value.
 
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