
®
PZM-11
PRESSURE ZONE 
MICROPHONE
®
he Crown PZM®-11 is a Pressure Zone 
Microphone
T
veillance, and conference-room applica-
®
 designed for security, sur-
tions. It can be mounted in the ceiling or wall 
in a standard electrical outlet box. Providing 
excellent intelligibility, the PZM-11 is designed 
to look like something other than a microphone so as not to draw attention.
Like other Pressure Zone Microphones, the 
PZM-11 utilizes the Pressure Recording Pro-
™ 
in which a miniature condenser
cess 
microphone capsule is mounted very close to 
a sound-reflecting plate or boundary. The 
capsule is mounted in the “Pressure Zone” just 
above the boundary, a region where sound 
coming directly from the sound source combines in-phase with sound reflected off the 
boundary. The benefits are a wide, smooth 
frequency response free of phase interference, 
excellent clarity and “reach,” and consistent 
pickup anywhere around the microphone.
In the PZM-11, low frequencies below the 
voice range are rolled off to reduce pickup of 
air-conditioning rumble. The high-frequency 
response is boosted slightly to aid clarity and 
articulation.
The microphone connector is a row of screw 
terminals for easy installation. The output is 
balanced, low impedance, which allows long 
cable runs without hum pickup or highfrequency loss. Powering is via 12 to 48 volts 
phantom power.
Installation
1. Please refer to Fig. 3 and locate all the parts 
shown.
2. Run a 2-conductor shielded microphone 
cable to the ceiling or wall hole where you 
intend to install the microphone. Install a 
standard electrical outlet box in the hole.
3. Run the mic cable through the hole in the 
electrical box and through the hole in the 
chassis.
4. Service the end of the mic cable.
5. Attach the leads to the screw terminals. 
Connect the cable shield to 1, light-colored 
lead to 2, and darker lead to 3.
6. Place the chassis over the two long screws. 
Using the nuts provided, secure the chassis to 
the faceplate.
7. Using the two screws provided, secure the 
faceplate to the electrical box.
Specifications 
Type:  Pressure Zone Microphone. 
Element: Electret condenser. 
Frequency response (typical):  80 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
See Fig. 1.
Polar pattern: Hemispherical. 
Impedance: 225 ohms, balanced. Recommended
minimum load impedance 1000 ohms.
Open circuit sensitivity: 5 mV/Pa* (–46 dBV/Pa). 
Power sensitivity:  –45.5 dBm/Pa*, EIA rating
–139 dBm.
Equivalent noise level (self-noise):  26 dB SPL
typical (0 dB = .0002 dyne/cm2), A-weighted.
S/N Ratio: 68 dB at 94 dB SPL. 
Maximum SPL: 120 dB SPL produces 3% THD. 
Output connector:  Three screw terminals.
1 = ground, 2 = audio (hot), 3 = audio (return).
 Polarity: Positive pressure on the diaphragm
produces a positive voltage on screw terminal 2 
with respect to screw terminal 3.
Operating voltage: Standard phantom power, 12 to
48 volts DC on screw terminals 2 and 3 with 
respect to screw terminal 1.
Current drain: 400 microamperes. 
Materials: Steel plate and high-impact plastic
capsule holder.
Finish: Off-white. 
Net weight:  2.5 oz. (71 g). 
Dimensions: See Fig.2. 
Optional accessories:  Crown PH-1A phantom
power supply (1 channel, battery or AC adapter 
powered), Crown PH-4B phantom power supply 
(4 channels, AC powered).
*1 pascal = 10 dynes/cm2 = 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL.
Fig. 1
+15
+10
+5
dB 0
–5
–10
–15
–20
–25
–30
–35
20 100 1K
Frequency Response
Frequency in Hz
Fig. 2
10K

®
PZM-11
Fig. 3
MIC 
CABLE
FACEPLATE
SCREW
ELECTRICAL
NUTS
CHASSIS
LONG
SCREWS
8. If you plan to use a cable connector, solder 
the other end of the mic cable to a 3-pin 
professional audio connector (XLR-type). 
Solder the cable shield to pin 1, light-colored 
lead to pin 2, and darker lead to pin 3.
9. If you plan to use a cable connector, connect the 3-pin pro audio connector to the 
input of a phantom power supply. Crown 
makes a PH-4B phantom power supply (4 
channels, AC-powered) and PH-1A phantom 
power supply (1 channel, battery or ACadapter powered).
BOX
10. Connect the output of the phantom supply 
to your equipment mic input. Or, if your mic 
input has phantom power built in, simply 
connect the mic cable to the mic input.
11. If the mic cable is run in metal conduit, 
ground loops might occur that can cause hum. 
If hum is present after installation, remove the 
ground-lift jumper (labeled GND LIFT) on the 
printed-circuit board.
Architects’ and Engineers’ Specifications
The microphone shall be the Crown Model 
PZM-11 or equivalent. The microphone shall 
be a Pressure Zone Microphone, electretcondenser type, with built-in electronics interface. The microphone capsule holder shall be 
mounted on a standard switch plate. The 
microphone shall be powered from 12-48V 
phantom power. The output shall be low impedance balanced. Frequency response shall 
be from 80 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Low frequencies 
below the voice range shall be rolled off. Opencircuit sensitivity shall be 5 mV/Pa   (–46 dB 
re 1V/Pa). Maximum SPL capability shall be 
120 dB SPL at 3% THD. Equivalent noise shall 
be 26 dBA typical (0 dB = .0002 dyne/cm
2
). 
The Crown model PZM-11 microphone is 
specified.
Warranty
Crown professional microphones are guaranteed against malfunction for a period of three
years from date of original purchase. See 
enclosed warranty sheet for additional information.
Service
If the unit fails to work, first replace or repair 
the mic cables and check the power supply. 
Recheck your connections to the microphone 
screw terminals. If service is required, return 
the microphone and the electronic interface in 
the original packaging to Crown Factory Ser-
vice, 1718 West Mishawaka Road, Elkhart, 
IN 46517. For further assistance or technical
support call 800-342-6939.
PZM-11 Schematic
–
Crown International 
P. O. Box 1000 
Elkhart, IN 46515-1000 
TEL: 574-294-8000 
FAX: 574-294-8FAX 
www.crownaudio.com
©
2002 Crown Audio, Inc. 
Specifications subject to change without prior notice. 
Latest information available at www.crownaudio.com. 
Crown, PZM and Pressure Zone Microphone are 
registered trademarks of Crown International. Pressure Recording Process™ is a trademark of E. M. Long 
Associates.
7/02 127006-4