Countryman B3 Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone

The B3 is the lavalier most kits keep two of. The element measures 0.23 by 0.18 in and weighs 0.012 oz, so it clips to a tie, hides in hair, disappears into a prop, or tapes to skin without announcing itself, and five colors plus markable white caps let it match whatever it is sitting against. Handling noise is the number that matters on a body mic, and the combination of an ultra-thin diaphragm and an aramid-reinforced cable is why this one has spent years on reality television, in aerial theater rigs, and in storm coverage.

Water resistance here is not a rating on a page: with the protective caps fitted the B3 tolerates makeup, sweat, and repeated submersion in pools and showers. Those same caps set the response, with +0, +4, and +8 dB options at the top end for intelligibility or to match other mics in the system. Two sensitivities are offered, W4 for chest and lapel placement and W5 for instruments or hair-mic work in theater, and it runs from wireless bodypack voltage or 48 V phantom, where it reaches 150 dB SPL. Choose a fixed connector for a single wireless system or a threaded termination for a detachable connector.