Which type of microphone would likely be more expensive due to its sensitivity and complexity?

The condenser microphone is likely to be more expensive due to its sensitivity and complexity when compared to other types of microphones. Condenser microphones utilize a diaphragm that is suspended close to a backplate, creating a capacitor that generates an electrical signal when sound waves hit the diaphragm. This design requires more intricate engineering and components, such as phantom power to operate, making them typically more delicate and sensitive to sound.

Their sensitivity allows them to capture a wider frequency range and nuances in sound, making them highly valued in professional audio settings for recording vocals and instruments. This increased performance and versatility in different sound environments contribute to their higher cost compared to dynamic microphones, which are more robust and simpler in design, or ribbon microphones, which, while also sensitive, often come with their own limitations in terms of durability. Bidirectional microphones specifically refer to a polar pattern rather than a type of technology related to costs, and do not inherently indicate a higher level of complexity or expense.