AKG C104, C114 & C151: What Sound On Sound Thinks Really Matters

If you’re looking at the new AKG C104, AKG C114, and AKG C151, then perhaps the latest review by Sam Inglis in the latest Sound On Sound can help summarise what these microphones can do!

They Sound Like a Matched Set

The first thing that stands out in testing is just how similar they are. Set them up side by side, and you’re not dealing with three wildly different flavours when it comes to sensitivity — you’re dealing with a consistent approach. They’re “almost perfectly matched for sensitivity” with “remarkably similar” on-axis tone.

That’s unusual, especially for microphones at this price point. In practical terms, it means you can move between them in a session without your sound shifting unpredictably.

Clean, Neutral, and Easy to Work With

What you’re getting here isn’t just character — it’s clarity. These mics are described as offering a “clear and detailed window on the source”, with a gentle lift in the high end but no obvious midrange push or coloration. They don’t impose themselves on the sound, and that’s very much the point. Capturing what’s in front of them cleanly and consistently, is exactly what they deliver.

The C114 Leads the Pack

Among the three, the C114 clearly stands out. It’s the most flexible thanks to its multi-pattern design, and it’s also where the sound opens up the most. In omni mode, it’s described as “bright, but good bright” — detailed and airy without tipping into harshness.

Switch patterns, and you get noticeably different behaviour. The figure of 8 introduces more presence and cut for example with high side rejection for when you need separation, or a more cutting vocal tone.

The C104: Quietly Capable

The C104 sits closer to the C114 than you might expect. Despite being positioned as a simpler, fixed-cardioid mic, it behaves similarly enough that you could drop it into the same recording context without drawing attention. It’s built to integrate straight into a workflow without setup friction. 

In practice, that makes it ideal as a permanently setup  vocal mic in a home studio or a general-purpose “default” mic you don’t overthink.

The C151: Slightly Different Behaviour

The C151 is where things diverge a bit. It still shares the same overall tonal family pf the C104 and C114, but its behaviour off-axis presents different possibilities. Move around the mic and things get darker and a bit more coloured which offers more outcomes for your source sound. It’s also more sensitive to plosives on vocals, which is typical for this type of small-diaphragm design which again can be used to your advantage for adding definition where needed.

Real-World Performance Over Specs

One of the more important points in the review is how these mics behave beyond the spec sheet — in practice, these mics perform cleanly, handle high levels well, and feel reliable in use with a build quality that punches above expectations.

The Verdict

The overall message is clear: these aren’t character mics — they’re utility mics done properly. They’re consistent, easy to work with, and designed to integrate into real recording workflows without friction. As the review puts it, the “ratio of utility to price… is compelling” — especially with the C114 leading the way.

If you want microphones that you can rely on, swap around, and trust to deliver clean, usable results every time — this series lands exactly where it needs to.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

• AKG C104 – £119 RRP inc VAT
• AKG C114 – £209 RRP inc VAT
• AKG C151 – £119 RRP inc VAT

All three models are available now.

AKG Professional by HARMAN is distributed in the UK and ROI by Sound Technology. For more information please call 020 8962 5080 or visit www.soundtech.co.uk/music-retail/akg.