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Shure MX418/C Cardioid Condenser Microphone, 18" Gooseneck with Attached XLR Preamp, Shock & Flange Mount, Snap-Fit Foam Windscreen
Shure

Shure MX418/C Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Bottom line: The Shure MX418/C Cardioid Condenser Microphone: 18-inch gooseneck bends and holds position for lecterns, pulpits, and conference tables; main trade-off: needs an XLR input with phantom power, so no USB or 3.5mm plug-and-play.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014, focused on GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference. Synthesises community benchmarks, manufacturer specs, and public forum data into actionable buying guides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 18-inch gooseneck bends and holds position for lecterns, pulpits, and conference tables
  • ✓ Shock mount blocks over 20 dB of surface vibration noise from table taps and shuffling
  • ✓ Transformerless balanced XLR output resists hum and RF over long cable runs
  • ✓ Interchangeable Microflex cartridges swap in cardioid, supercardioid, or omnidirectional
  • ✓ Locking flange mount permanently secures the mic to a fixed installation surface

Cons

  • ✗ Needs an XLR input with phantom power, so no USB or 3.5mm plug-and-play
  • ✗ Flange mount is built for permanent installs, not a mic you move between desks
  • ✗ Cardioid cartridge ships alone; other polar patterns are a separate purchase
  • ✗ Gooseneck form factor sits in frame, awkward for on-camera streaming setups

Manufacturer description

Microflex Standard Gooseneck microphones bring a whole new meaning to the word flexible with their fully adjustable gooseneck. Designed for easy replacement and available in cardioid, supercardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns, the interchangeable cartridges offer wide frequency response and accurate sound reproduction for a wide variety of applications, such as houses of worship, courtrooms and conference centers. Plus, the condenser cartridges fit every model in the Microflex product line for enhanced convenience and consistent sound.

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Shure MX418/C Cardioid Condenser Microphone using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the streaming gear category. Shure's streaming gear lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for streaming gear of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Key Features

  • Attached XLR Preamp, Shock & Flange Mount, Snap-Fit Foam Windscreen.
  • Wide dynamic range and frequency response for accurate sound reproduction across the audio spectrum.
  • Interchangeable cartridges provide the right polar pattern for every application.
  • Balanced, transformerless output for increased immunity to electromagnetic hum and RF interference over long cable runs.
  • Shock mount provides over 20 dB isolation from surface vibration noise.
  • Locking flange mount for permanently securing microphone to lecterns, pulpits, or conference tables.

Full Specifications

BrandShure
ColorBlack
Model NameMX418/C
Unit Count1.0 Count
Model NumberMX418/C
Power SourcePHANTOM POWER: All condenser microphones require phantom power to operate. Please refer to the User Manual for more details on power requirements.
Audible Noise20 Decibels
Polar PatternUnidirectional
Built-In MediaFoam Windscreen
Connector TypeXLR
Item Type NameDynamic Microphone
Item Dimensions24.9 x 5.4 x 3.1 inches
Mfr Part NumberMX418/C
Special FeatureStand
Antenna LocationSinging, Streaming
Vibration/RumbleYes
Audio Sensitivity20 Decibels
Compatible DevicesRadio
Enclosure MaterialFoam
Frequency Response20 KHz
Full listing titleShure MX418/C Cardioid Condenser Microphone, 18" Gooseneck with Attached XLR Preamp, Shock & Flange Mount, Snap-Fit Foam Windscreen

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Shure MX418/C Cardioid Condenser Microphone, 18" Gooseneck with Attached XLR Preamp, Shock & Flange Mount, Snap-Fit Foam Windscreen
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