Shure MX396/C-TRI Tri-Element Boundary Microphone

Product Overview

The Shure MX396/C-TRI is a tri-element boundary microphone built for larger conference tables that need wide, even speech coverage. Its three cardioid elements provide end-of-table (300°) or center-of-table (360°) pickup, each with an individual audio output for independent control. CommShield technology filters RF interference from phones and wireless devices common in meeting spaces. It is a commercial-grade conference room microphone for boardrooms, training rooms, and telecommunication installs that seat groups around a single table.

Product Description

The MX396/C-TRI is part of Shure's Microflex multi-element boundary microphone platform and ships in a three-cardioid configuration that requires three mixer or DSP channels, one per element. The three capsules can be deployed for end-of-table 300-degree coverage or center-of-table 360-degree coverage, capturing clear speech from groups seated around a conference table while rejecting off-axis and surface-reflected noise. A programmable mute switch and logic input/output let integrators tie remote LED status and muting into a control system, and the bi-color status indicator gives talkers clear active/mute feedback. The attached 20-foot unterminated cable supports side or bottom exit for clean cable management during installation, and the low-profile boundary housing sits flat to use the table as an acoustic plane. This tri-element boundary microphone is intended for fixed AV deployments where a single table needs comprehensive coverage from one device.

Key Features

• Three Cardioid Elements — Three capsules provide wide coverage for groups seated around a large conference table.
• 300° / 360° Coverage — Configurable for end-of-table (300°) or center-of-table (360°) pickup patterns to match the room layout.
• Individual Audio Outputs — Each element has its own output, giving integrators independent gain control and requiring three mixer or DSP channels.
• CommShield Technology — Built-in RF filtering reduces interference from cell phones and wireless devices in dense meeting environments.
• Programmable Mute Switch — The onboard mute switch can be configured for local or system control during AV integration.
• Logic Input/Output — Logic connections allow remote LED status and mute control to be tied into a DSP or control system.
• Boundary Surface Design — The low-profile housing uses the table as an acoustic boundary plane for consistent speech capture.

Typical Applications

• Boardroom
• Conference room
• Training room
• Commercial meeting space
• Government space
• Multi-purpose room
• All-hands room

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How many mixer or DSP channels does the MX396/C-TRI require?
Three. Each of the three cardioid elements has its own audio output, so the tri-element model needs three input channels for independent gain and processing.

What coverage does the tri-element configuration provide?
It can be configured for end-of-table 300-degree coverage or center-of-table 360-degree coverage, capturing groups seated around a large conference table.

When should I choose the tri-element over the dual-element model?
Choose the tri-element for larger tables or full-table 360-degree coverage; the dual-element model is better suited to cross-table pickup between two parties.

Can the mute and LED be controlled by our control system?
Yes. The microphone provides a programmable mute switch and logic input/output, so remote LED status and muting can be integrated into a DSP or control system.

What power does it need?
It operates on 48 V ± 4 V phantom power at 12 mA, supplied by a mixer, DSP, or phantom power source.

Specifications per Shure (shure.com). For other Shure conference microphones, compare the Shure MX396/C-DUAL dual-element boundary microphone or the Shure MX395 low-profile boundary microphone.