Audio-Technica AT 875 R

Used for run and gun interviews

The good:
light, sturdy, low profile, very good sound

The bad
phantom power only- make sure you carry spares for your recorder
Sound rejection is not as good as it's bigger siblings, that being said it is what it is, a vast improvement over in-built mikes and can be hand-held with care for great talking head interviews. I recommend a pistol grip for hand holding though, and buy a dead-cat for wind protection

The AT875R is a short, shotgun-style condenser microphone designed primarily for video production, broadcast ENG/EFP (Electronic News Gathering/Field Production) work, or any scenario where compact form-factor and directional pick-up are needed. According to Audio-Technica, it features a “line + gradient” polar pattern and an extremely compact length (175 mm / about 6.9″) which makes it especially convenient for mounting on cameras or boompoles.

Key Strengths

Directional pickup & off-axis rejection
The “line + gradient” design provides a narrow acceptance angle and excellent rejection of sound from the sides and rear. If you’re recording in a noisy or uncontrolled environment—such as run-and-gun video shoots the AT875R gives you far better focus on the subject, which means less noise to deal with in post.

Compact size & light weight

At only about 175 mm in length and weighing roughly 80 g (2.8 oz) according to the spec sheet, this mic is one of the more lightweight options in its category. This makes it well suited for mounting on DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, or small rigs where heavier shotgun mics would upset the balance.

Clean frequency response for its purpose

The specifications list a frequency response of 90 Hz–20,000 Hz, which is a good range for dialogue or general audio capture without being overly “sweeter” in the low end (which could introduce rumble). The tailored response also helps minimise camera and handling noise.

Good value for its niche

For filmmakers or content creators needing a directional mic without spending the price of high-end broadcast shotguns, the AT875R strikes a solid balance of performance vs cost. Many users report it works well for the money, especially if you pair it with a decent interface or recorder offering phantom power. (See user feedback below.)

Considerations & Things to Know

Requires phantom power

As with most condenser mics of this type, you’ll need to supply phantom power (specs indicate 11–52 V DC) for the mic to operate. That means you’ll need a mixer, camera input, or recorder with phantom power capability.

Not ideal for very close vocal work in untreated rooms Because its pick-up is very directional and designed for on-axis capture, if you use it for close mic’ing in a room with poor acoustics you might find it less forgiving than a large-diaphragm condenser or dynamic mic. Some user commentary notes that the mic picks up room ambience or “echo” when the environment isn’t optimal.

Bare essentials in the box

While the mic includes a stand clamp, windscreen, and carrying pouch, you should consider additional accessories (e.g., advanced wind-muff for outdoor use, better shock mount) if you will use it on boompoles or outdoors extensively. Some users point out that build quality is good for price, but not comparable to premium broadcast shotguns.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a directional condenser mic for video and field work where size, weight, and directional pickup matter, the AT875R is a strong contender. It won’t replace ultra-high-end broadcast shotguns or purpose-built studio vocal mics, but for its niche it offers excellent value.
For those needing a mic that rejects ambient noise, mounts easily on compact rigs, and gives clean dialogue capture, the AT875R delivers. Just make sure you have phantom power and understand that room acoustics still matter (even with a narrow mic).