Gooseneck, hanging and headworn microphones
Shure MX418/C: Full Specifications
Quick answer
The Shure MX418/C Cardioid Condenser Gooseneck Microphone lists at $296.00. Published figures: microphone type Condenser, polar pattern Cardioid, needs phantom power Yes. It suits a fixed pulpit or lectern, in a room where the preacher stays put.
An 18 inch gooseneck with the preamp in the base and a proper shock mount, so page turns and lectern knocks do not arrive in the house.
Every figure below is the manufacturer's own published specification, taken from the product listing and the data sheet. Where a figure is not published it is left out rather than estimated. Price is the listed price when this page was last compiled and it changes often.
Shure MX418/C specifications
The Shure MX418/C publishes microphone type Condenser, polar pattern Cardioid, needs phantom power Yes, at a listed price of $296.00.
| Specification | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Microphone type | Condenser |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid |
| Needs phantom power | Yes |
| Height | 18 in |
What this model suits in a church
Best for: A fixed pulpit or lectern, in a room where the preacher stays put.
Category: gooseneck, hanging and headworn microphones. Tier on this site: Expert, which on ChurchSoundCalc means the performance ceiling, for a large room or a multi-campus standard, and more than most churches need.
The closest alternatives at a similar price
Same category, nearest price. An alternative with no stated reason is filler, so each of these is here because it trades something specific against the model above.
Shure MX412/S Supercardioid Condenser Microphone, 12" Gooseneck with Attached XLR Preamp, Shock & Flange Mount, Snap-Fit Foam Windscreen
$296.00 Specs and sizingThe 12 inch supercardioid version, which is less visually intrusive and rejects more of the room. The short gooseneck means the speaker must stay closer.
Best for: A lectern in a live room where the longer gooseneck feeds back
Check price on Amazon
Shure MX202 Overhead Microphone - Black, Cardioid Condenser Mic with 3 Pin XLR Connector, Preamp Included (MX202B/C)
$270.00A hanging overhead condenser for choir. Hung correctly it covers a wide section of risers; the whole art is height and angle, not the microphone.
Best for: Choir and ensemble, hung from the ceiling or a truss
Check price on Amazon
Audio-Technica U857QL Cardioid Condenser Quick-Mount Gooseneck Microphone
$239.00A quick-mount gooseneck that unplugs from its base, so the microphone can be locked away between services without unbolting anything.
Best for: A shared or unsupervised lectern
Check price on Amazon
Audio-Technica U853R Cardioid Condenser Hanging Microphone 250 Ohms, Low Profile Design
$229.00A low-profile hanging cardioid, available in black or white so it disappears against the ceiling it hangs from.
Best for: Choir coverage where the microphones must not be visible from the pews
Check price on AmazonSide by side
| Model | Price | Microphone type | Polar pattern | Needs phantom power | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Shure MX418/C Cardioid Condenser Gooseneck Microphone | $296.00 | Condenser | Cardioid | Yes | 18 in |
| Shure MX412/S Supercardioid Condenser Microphone, 12" Gooseneck with Attached XLR Preamp, Shock & Flange Mount, Snap-Fit Foam Windscreen | $296.00 | Condenser | Supercardioid | Yes | 12 in |
| Shure MX202 Overhead Microphone - Black, Cardioid Condenser Mic with 3 Pin XLR Connector, Preamp Included (MX202B/C) | $270.00 | Condenser | Cardioid | Yes | - |
| Audio-Technica U857QL Cardioid Condenser Quick-Mount Gooseneck Microphone | $239.00 | Condenser | Cardioid | Yes | - |
How we chose
We did not test these products in person and we never claim to. Picks are researched from manufacturer specification sheets and operator manuals, FCC rules where spectrum is involved, published standards, warranty terms, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews. Every pick is matched to a real room size, seat count or input list rather than to a price bracket, and it is placed in the tier where its capability actually belongs. Where a product is wrong for most churches we say so on the page.
Sources
- Shure published specifications for the MX418/C
- Amazon product listing features and current pricing
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Shure MX418/C cost?
It was listed at $296.00 when this page was last compiled. Pro audio and video pricing moves frequently and promotional pricing is common, so treat that as a planning figure and confirm the current price before a committee votes on a budget.
Is the Shure MX418/C right for our church?
A fixed pulpit or lectern, in a room where the preacher stays put. Beyond that, the honest test is whether its numbers match your room rather than whether it is a good product in the abstract. Work out what your room actually needs first, then check this model against that answer.
Where do these specifications come from?
The manufacturer’s published figures, taken from the product listing and data sheet. We do not test products in person and we never claim to, so nothing here is a measured result. Where a specification is not published by the manufacturer it is omitted rather than estimated.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published manufacturer specifications, operator manuals, FCC rules, published standards and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Sound system design, rigging loudspeakers overhead, and any electrical work are jobs for a qualified professional: have flown loudspeakers and their attachment points signed off by a structural engineer or a certified rigger, and have all wiring done by a licensed electrician to your local code. Wireless microphone rules change, so confirm the current FCC position before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.