
®
PCC-160
®
PCC-160W
he Crown PCC®-160 (Phase Coherent Cardioid®) is a surface-mounted supercardioid
T
microphone intended for professional 
applications on stage floors, lecterns, conference tables, and news desks—wherever 
improved gain-before-feedback and articulation 
are important.
Similar to the Pressure Zone Microphone 
(PZM®), the PCC is designed to be used on a 
relatively large boundary surface. Unlike the 
PZM, the Phase Coherent Cardioid uses a 
subminiature supercardioid mic capsule. Its 
directional polar pattern improves gain-beforefeedback, reduces unwanted room noise and 
rejects sounds from the rear. Surface-mounting 
creates a “half-supercardioid” polar pattern and 
increases directivity 3 dB.
Since the microphone capsule is placed on a 
boundary, direct and reflected sounds arrive at 
the diaphragm in-phase. This coherent addition 
of direct and reflected waves increases sensitivity 
6 dB and prevents phase cancellations. The mic 
capsule is small enough to ensure phase coherency up to the highest frequencies in the 
audible spectrum, resulting in a wide, smooth 
frequency response free of phase interference. 
Clarity and reach are also enhanced.
Self-contained electronics eliminate the need for 
an in-line preamp box. The PCC-160 can be 
phantom powered directly from the console or 
other remote power source providing 12 to 48 
volts. If battery power is required, a battery 
supply unit can be inserted anywhere in the mic 
line right up to the console or mixer. A “bass tilt” 
switch allows the user to tailor the low-end 
response for particular applications.
Thanks to its low profile and black finish, the 
microphone becomes almost invisible in use. A 
side-mounted connector complements the form 
factor of the PCC-160, allowing the unit to be 
placed effectively at the stage edge, at the top of 
a lectern or in other tight spots. If desired, the 
cable can be hard-wired for bottom entry.
The PCC-160W is finished in off-white to blend 
with church altars and other surroundings 
where lighter color is appropriate.
The heavy-gauge, all steel body protects the 
unit from accidental abuse. Permanent mounting is enabled by screw holes in the base. 
Engineering attention-to-detail has assured 
years of trouble-free use from this reliable 
microphone.
Capable of withstanding up to 120 dB SPL 
without distorting, the PCC-160 will never overload in practical use. Its electret condenser 
capsule provides a wide, smooth frequency 
response from 50 Hz to 18 kHz. RFI suppression is included. Self-noise is low, and sensitivity 
is very high to override mixer noise in distantmiking applications. Output impedance is 150 
ohms, balanced.
®
PHASE COHERENT 
CARDIOID® MICROPHONE
Specifications
Type: Phase Coherent Cardioid. 
Element: Electret condenser. 
Frequency response (typical): 50 Hz to 18,000 Hz
at 30 degrees incidence to surface. See Fig. 1.
Polar pattern: Half-supercardioid (supercardioid in
the hemisphere above the primary boundary). See 
Fig. 2.
Impedance: 150 ohms nominal (85 ohms actual),
balanced. (Recommended load impedance 1000 
ohms or greater.)
Open-circuit sensitivity: 22mV/Pa* (–33 dB re 1
V/Pa*).
Power sensitivity: –31 dB re 1 milliwatt/Pa*/–123
dBm EIA.
Equivalent noise level (self noise): 22 dB typical
(0 dB = .0002 dyne/cm2), A-weighted.
S/N ratio: 72 dB at 94 dB SPL. 
Maximum SPL for 3% THD: 120 dB SPL. 
Polarity: Positive pressure on the diaphragm
produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to 
pin 3 of output connector.
Cable: 15-foot, black, two-conductor shielded cable
with Switchcraft TA3F connector and A3M 
connector.
Operating voltage: Standard phantom power: 12 to
48 volts DC positive on pins 2 and 3 with respect 
to pin 1.
Current drain: 4 mA nominal. 
Materials: All steel body construction. 
Finish: PCC-160: black. PCC-160W: off-white. 
Net weight: 11.5 oz. (326 g). 
Dimensions: See Fig. 4. 
Optional accessories: Crown PH-1A phantom
power supply (one channel, battery or AC-adapter 
powered). Crown PH-4B phantom power supply 
(four channels, AC powered).
*1 pascal = 10 dynes/cm2 = 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Frequency Response
Frequency in Hz
Vertical Plane Polar Response

®
Operating Instructions 
Unbalanced operation: If you are using a
phantom power supply that does NOT include 
an isolation transformer (such as the Crown 
PH-4B), and you desire an unbalanced output, 
use pin 2 as hot and pin 1 as ground. This 
procedure prevents distortion in the PCC circuit.
Do not unbalance the output of the PH-4B by 
connecting pin 3 to pin 1. If you are using a
phantom supply containing an isolation transformer (such as the Crown PH-1A AC/Battery 
Supply), then you can unbalance the output by 
connecting pin 3 to pin 1 in the cable feeding 
the mixer. This results in 6 dB more sensitivity.
The PCC includes two keyhole slots in its base to 
accept mounting screws. To screw the PCC to a 
surface, refer to Fig. 3.
Note: The porous foam liner in the housing 
must go toward the front of the microphone; 
the dense foam liner goes toward the rear. 
Otherwise the frequency response and polar 
pattern will be degraded.
Placement suggestions for the PCC-160 are in 
the 
Crown Boundary Microphone Applications
Guide
, available free from your dealer, directly 
from the Crown Literature Department or online 
at www.crownaudio.com.
BASS TILT SWITCH: On the bottom of the microphone is a bass-tilt switch which allows the 
user to tailor the low-end response for particu-
lar applications. In general, use the FLAT position. Use the CUT position to reduce room 
rumble and air-handler noise. Use the BOOST 
position to compensate for low-frequency 
losses when the PCC is placed on small boundaries such as lectern shelf-tops.
Architect’ & Engineers’ Specifications
The microphone shall be the Crown Model PCC160 (black) or PCC-160W (off-white). The 
microphone shall be a half-supercardioid electret condenser type, utilizing a subminiature 
transducer of rugged construction. A smooth 
frequency response from 50 Hz to 18,000 Hz 
shall be obtained, with a uniform off-axis response, over 20 dB down at the rear nulls. The 
microphone will exhibit excellent off-axis response and gain-before-feedback.
The microphone shall employ the principle of 
phase coherency achieved by mounting a smalldiameter element very near a boundary, thus 
eliminating comb filtering in the audible spectrum. A 15-foot (4.6-m), two-conductor 
shielded cable with TA3F and A3M connectors 
shall be supplied with the microphone.
The microphone shall have a sensitivity of 22 
mV/Pa*. The microphone shall accept a 120 dB 
SPL input while providing no greater than 3 
percent THD (open-circuit termination). Equivalent noise shall be 22 dBA typical. The Crown 
Model PCC-160 is specified.
®
PCC-160
®
PCC-160W
Warranty
Crown professional microphone products are 
guaranteed against malfunction for a period of 
three years from date of original purchase. Please 
refer to the enclosed full warranty statement for 
more detail.
Service
If the microphone does not function properly, 
check to verify that it is aimed correctly and is 
connected as described in the Operating Instructions. If there is hum or no signal, repair or 
replace the cable.
If you determine the microphone product(s)is 
defective, return the complete product in its 
original packaging to: Crown Factory Service,
1718 West Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, IN
46517. For further assistance or technical 
support call 800-342-6939.
Fig. 4
PCC-160/160W Schematic
Crown International 
P.O. Box 1000 
Elkhart, IN 46515-1000 
TEL: 574-294-8000 
FAX: 574-294-8FAX
©
2003 Crown Audio, Inc. 
Specifications subject to change without prior notice. 
Latest information available at www.crownaudio.com. 
PCC, Phase Coherent Cardioid, PZM, Pressure Zone 
Microphone and Crown are registered trademarks of 
Crown International.
3/03            101062-7
www.crownaudio.com