GRAS launches new ¼", multi-scene, high-sensitivity microphone-46BC

Suitable for any sound field, ultra-low noise floor 24dB(A), high sensitivity

On April 25, 2023, Axiometrix Solutions, a global technology pioneer in test and measurement solutions, and its subsidiary GRAS Sound&Vibration released a new measurement microphone that is very suitable for automotive cockpit acoustics and NVH testing.

The new GRAS 46BC CCP ¼" multi-scene microphone (set) is a special high-sensitivity microphone currently on the market, focusing on automotive acoustic evaluation (from in-car voice transmission index to electric vehicle inverter switching frequency noise). Its The design combines all the advantages of a small microphone with the low-noise performance of larger ½" microphones.

In the past, the main reason ¼" microphones were not used for in-car measurements was their noise floor. This was because the noise floor was very high and would miss noise sources such as road and brake noise, even with a noise floor of 40 dB. The microphone in (A) also cannot measure higher frequency noise. The high sensitivity 46BC eliminates this problem. Its noise floor is 24 dB(A), which is better than other ¼" microphones and can achieve the same without using a ½" microphone. Data quality.

As a ¼" microphone, it reduces the impact from the environment, and the impact of the sound source incident angle is also minimal. These are incomparable to ½" microphones. They have a large amount of pressure accumulation in front of the diaphragm, which affects the pressure field and free field. Mixed environments present additional challenges and may produce unrepresentative data as the angle of incidence increases. In particular, the 46BC benefits from the unique tuning of its response curve, making it a true multi-scenario microphone.

The combination of the new GRAS 46BC's small size advantages, multi-scene tuning, and lower noise floor essentially provides the best of both worlds for automotive acoustic testing.

“There is a general tendency to utilize ¼” microphone capabilities in measurements, but their noise floor means that some potentially irritating noise sources may be missed. By developing this ¼" microphone with a noise floor of 24 dB(A), GRAS opens up a new range of measurement capabilities, resulting in a better product for the end user." - Dr. Rémi Guastavino, Director of Product Management