Shure
KSM9
Handheld condenser · Cardioid / Supercardioid · 50–20,000 Hz · a rider regular
- A handheld condenser with two diaphragms and a switchable pattern — cardioid or supercardioid from a switch under the grille.
- Dynamic range of 130 dB into a 2500 Ω load: it hears a whispered intro and survives the chorus that follows it.
- A condenser on a stage needs phantom power — 11 to 52 V here — so the channel's 48 V has to be on before line check.
Frequency response
Redrawn from Shure’s published response graph (approximate, ±2 dB) on the fixed MicSense scale — 20 Hz–20 kHz, −20 to +15 dB — so two microphones can be compared at a glance. No image is copied; it is a guide to the shape, not a measurement. Drawn for: single curve drawn; polar setting not stated on the graph. The maker’s graph (Frequency-response graph on the shure.com product page (image served from products.shureweb.eu)).
Polar pattern
Generated from the first-order directivity formula for cardioid / supercardioid. It illustrates the pattern type — it is not a measurement of this individual model.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Shure |
|---|---|
| Model | KSM9 |
| Type | Handheld condenser |
| Form factor | Handheld |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid / Supercardioid |
| Frequency range | 50–20,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 2.8 mV/Pa · -51.0 dBV/Pa |
| Max SPL | 152 dB SPL (1 % THD; 2500 Ω load) |
| Self-noise | 22 dB(A) |
| Impedance | 150 Ω (actual) |
| Connector | XLR3M |
| Powering | Phantom 11–52 V |
| Weight | 300 g |
Specifications: Shure specifications page · last checked 2 Oct 2026. These are the maker’s published figures for this model. A dash never means zero: “not published by the maker” means the maker’s documents give no figure; “not yet checked” means MicSense has not confirmed one yet. Spotted an error? Tell us.
MicSense notes
| Price tier | Premium |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 2006 |
Price tier and “a rider regular” are MicSense’s own judgement, not the maker’s.
What it gets used for
- FOH vocal
- Wireless handheld capsule
MicSense tags microphones by the job on a live stage, not by studio category — so you can filter for “kick in” or “monitor vocal” instead of working backwards from “large-diaphragm condenser”.
KSM9 alternatives: closest in published specs
Based on published specifications only — always listen at soundcheck. These are the microphones in the MicSense library whose datasheet figures sit closest to the Shure KSM9’s for the same live job, with the reasons. It says nothing about how they sound.
-
Shure
Beta 87C
- Same job: FOH vocal, wireless handheld capsule
- Same type: condenser (handheld)
- Same cardioid pattern
- Same form: handheld
- About the same output — within the datasheets’ tolerance
- Check: Max SPL 13 dB lower (139 vs 152 dB SPL) — check it on loud sources
Not comparable: response curve not redrawn yet
-
Shure
SM86
- Same job: FOH vocal
- Same type: condenser (handheld)
- Same cardioid pattern
- Same form: handheld
- About the same output — within the datasheets’ tolerance
- Check: Max SPL 5 dB lower (147 vs 152 dB SPL) — check it on loud sources
Not comparable: response curve not redrawn yet
-
Shure
Beta 87A
- Same job: FOH vocal, wireless handheld capsule
- Same type: condenser (handheld)
- Same form: handheld
- About the same output — within the datasheets’ tolerance
- Supercardioid instead of cardioid — deepest rejection at ±126°, not 180°: check where the wedge sits
- Check: Max SPL 12 dB lower (140.5 vs 152 dB SPL) — check it on loud sources
Not comparable: response curve not redrawn yet
Compare it against the alternatives.
MicSense lets you put up to four microphones side by side — spec table, overlaid response curves and polar diagrams on one screen. Free with a free Squaresmile account.