U 87 Ai vs MD 445
A side-by-side readout for max spl.
Understanding max spl
Max SPL is a numeric spec measured in dB. On this metric, higher values are generally better, but returns diminish past category-typical thresholds — going from a low value to a mid value usually matters far more than going from a mid value to a high one. When comparing two products, focus on the percentage gap rather than the raw delta: a 200-unit lead means something very different at the low end of the range than at the high end. Pay attention to the unit, too — manufacturers sometimes quote peak or burst figures that are not sustained in real-world use. Cross-check the published number against independent measurements where possible, especially for performance and battery claims. Finally, remember that a single spec rarely tells the whole story; the Mars Score weighs max spl together with the rest of the spec sheet so one outlier doesn't distort the verdict.
This matchupMD 445's 157dB is roughly 24% higher than U 87 Ai's 127dB (a 30dB gap). Whether that gap is noticeable depends on workload — small percentage gaps rarely change day-to-day experience, while gaps of 20% or more usually do.
Other specs on this comparison
See the full Microphones category for all products ranked by Mars Score.