AEA A440 is an active Big Ribbon microphone powered by 48 V phantom — the active counterpart to the R44C, built around JFET electronics designed by Fred Forssell (Forssell Technologies) and a German-made Lehle transformer. The 1.8-micron aluminum ribbon at 59.7 mm × 4.7 mm from NOS RCA material, the X-Motor with two additional magnets, the bronze investment cast yoke, and the hand-polished cushion mount are identical to the R44CX. Active JFET electronics powered by P48 phantom deliver +18 dB of output over the R44C and a self-noise floor of 9 dB(A), making the A440 one of the quietest microphones of any type in serial production.
30 mV/Pa, 9 dB(A) — Big Ribbon Sound with Any Preamp
Passive Big Ribbon microphones in far-field applications — Decca tree, orchestral room mics, overhead ambisonic arrays — demand over 70 dB of clean gain, restricting preamp compatibility to a narrow range of high-gain designs. The A440's 30 mV/Pa sensitivity (–33.5 dBV) and 92 Ω broadband output impedance deliver a signal level higher than most condenser microphones, fully compatible with any preamp from an SSL console to a USB audio interface. The dynamic range of approximately 127 dB (136 dB SPL max minus 9 dB(A) noise floor) is among the widest achievable by any type of studio microphone. The tonal character of the Big Ribbon — dense low end with strong proximity effect, full midrange, and a gently rolling top end — remains unchanged from the R44C and R44CX. Active electronics isolate the ribbon from load impedance: the A440's tonal balance is load-independent, unlike passive ribbons whose frequency response shifts with preamp input impedance.
Ribbon Protection and Far-Field Applications
In passive microphones, phantom power can destroy the ribbon element if the cable is unbalanced or if one phantom supply rail develops a fault. In the A440, the internal JFET circuit completely isolates the ribbon from the phantom supply — the microphone is safe with any preamp delivering 48 V. Applications where the A440 removes the limitations of the passive R44: scoring sessions and orchestral recording (low self-noise at large working distances), Decca tree configurations (high sensitivity eliminates the need for dedicated high-gain preamps), location recording and broadcast (compatibility with the full range of portable preamps and interfaces). Externally, the A440 is distinguished from the R44C by its classic RCA umber-colored transformer case — brown instead of the standard black-and-silver radio finish.
KEY FEATURES
- Active version of the R44CX — X-Motor, same Big Ribbon 1.8-micron element (59.7 mm × 4.7 mm) NOS RCA
- Active JFET electronics (designed by Fred Forssell) + Lehle transformer (Germany)
- +18 dB output over R44C — higher sensitivity than most condenser microphones
- Self-noise: 9 dB(A) — among the quietest microphones in serial production
- Dynamic range: approx. 127 dB (136 dB SPL max – 9 dB(A))
- Polar pattern: figure-8 (bidirectional)
- Sensitivity: 30 mV/Pa (–33.5 dBV) into unloaded circuit
- Output impedance: 92 Ω broadband
- Max SPL: 136+ dB (1% THD harmonic distortion >1 kHz)
- Power: P48 phantom, 7 mA
- Ribbon fully isolated from phantom supply — safe with any preamp
- RCA umber-colored transformer case — distinguishes A440 from R44C/CE
- Bronze investment cast yoke, hand-polished cushion mount (identical to R44CX)
- 3 m cloth-covered Accusound Silver Studio Pro captive cable, XLR-3M
- Accessories: AEA 44VC vertical case, zippered canvas bag, stand adapter
- Dimensions: 315 mm (H) × 117 mm (W) × 83 mm (D); weight approx. 3.43 kg with cable
- Handmade in Pasadena, California, USA
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Operating principle: pressure gradient transducer (active, JFET)
- Polar pattern: figure-8 (bidirectional)
- Frequency range: 20 Hz – >20 kHz
- Max SPL: 136+ dB (1% THD >1 kHz)
- Sensitivity: 30 mV/Pa (–33.5 dBV) into unloaded circuit
- Self-noise: 9 dB(A)
- Output impedance: 92 Ω broadband
- Recommended load impedance: ≥1 kΩ
- Power: P48 phantom, 7 mA
- Polarity: Pin 2 + for positive pressure at front
- Off-axis rejection: –35 dB at 90°/270° (horizontal and vertical)
- Ribbon thickness: 1.8 µm; width: 4.7 mm; length: 59.7 mm
- Motor: X-Motor (+2 magnets vs. R44C)
- Connector: XLR-3M on 3 m cloth-covered Accusound Silver Studio Pro captive cable
- Dimensions: 315 mm (H) × 117 mm (W) × 83 mm (D)
- Weight: approx. 3.43 kg (with cable)
- Made in: USA (Pasadena, CA)
