DPA 2017 Launched – A Robust, Compact, and Low-Noise Shotgun Microphone

Audio Gear News

by Jeff LochOctober 16^th, 2023

Danish manufacturer DPA has just launched its new compact, lightweight, and highly directive shotgun microphone: the DPA 2017. This supercardioid microphone was built to withstand the most demanding shooting conditions with temperatures up to 40°C/104°F and 90% humidity. So, let’s take a closer look at it!

DPA Microphones is well-known amongst audio professionals worldwide, especially in the broadcast and feature film industries. Indeed, their DPA 4060 Lavalier microphone is amongst the best money can buy, and some models like the d:screet 4063 and 4080 were used on shows like Game of Thrones.

The company is now back with a compact and lightweight shotgun microphone: the DPA 2017.

DPA 2017 – features

The DPA 2017 is a supercardioid shotgun microphone that is only 18.4cm/7.24in long for a weight of 315g/0.69 lbs. This microphone has one XLR input and requires 48V phantom power. According to DPA, it was designed for “broadcast and live events, from traditional news and sports to location sound or musical performances.”

Being a supercardioid microphone, the 2017 is exceptionally directional with a solid off-axis rejection. DPA claims that the attenuation at 90° is around -10 dB, and the maximal rejection is obtained at around 125° with more than -20 dB. In a nutshell, it is designed to capture the sound specifically from the direction it’s aimed at and nothing else.

So, what makes the DPA 2017 special? First of all, DPA designed it to be resistant to the most challenging shooting environments on this planet: from -40°C/+40°C (-40°F/104°F) and humidity levels up to 90%.

Also, this microphone has a sound pressure level handling of 143 dB SPL peak, making it suitable even in loud shooting environments. The microphone itself has a self-noise of only 13 dB, which makes the total dynamic range over 130 dB.

Price and availability

The DPA 2017 is available now for $995/€840. In the box, it comes with a microphone holder and foam windscreen.

For more information, please visit DPA Microphones’ website here.

What do you think about this new shotgun microphone? Do you often record sound with a shotgun microphone? Did you ever shoot with DPA microphones? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments!