Audio-Technica Launches BP880R Submergible Contact Microphone

The phantom-powered BP880R is designed for installed and immersive-effects capture in sports, theatre and live production, with European availability planned from October 2026.

Audio-Technica has launched the BP880R, a contact microphone built to capture impact and surface vibration rather than principally airborne sound. The company is positioning it for sports broadcasting, theatre and other live-production work, citing skating, skiing and swimming among potential applications.

Audio-Technica says the BP880R can be submerged in water or ice, buried underground or installed in flooring. It is rated to IPX7 for waterproof performance, according to the company, and uses a low-profile dezincification-resistant brass body with a coating intended to resist chlorinated-water corrosion, plus a waterproof cable. Four through-holes support fastening with bolts, nuts or zip ties, while a 1/4-inch threaded hole provides another mounting option.

The phantom-powered microphone uses a high-sensitivity piezoelectric sensor and internal preamplifier, Audio-Technica says. Its fixed 20 m low-impedance cable can be extended with balanced cable. The company says the contact-based design has low sensitivity to ambient airborne sound, which could make it useful where a production needs isolated surface effects or physical impacts from a specific location.

European availability is scheduled from October 2026. Pricing, the precise shipping date, distribution arrangements and complete technical specifications—including frequency response, connector type, phantom-power requirements and operating limits—were not included in the supplied launch reporting.