Unveiled at IBC 2026, the DPA 6388 CORE+ is billed as the Danish maker’s most advanced directional headset. It pairs a supercardioid CORE+ capsule with a reworked ACT frame, built around one idea that speaks to anyone who has ever fought a headset mic under the pressure of a live show: make placement less critical.
A capsule built to forgive placement
The 6388’s technical signature is a physically asymmetrical design and a shifted acoustical axis, together with the maker’s patent-pending CORE+ technology. In practice, the capsule is less sensitive to its exact position in front of the mouth: if the headset shifts during a performance — and it always does — tone and level stay stable. It is the kind of detail that never shows on a spec sheet but changes a night at the console.
DPA claims high speech intelligibility, class-leading low noise and outstanding feedback rejection. On a noisy stage or in a reverberant room, those are the three criteria that decide whether a headset holds up.
An ACT frame and a boom that adapt
The ACT frame aims for a secure, comfortable hold with fast, intuitive mounting. The boom is switchable left or right, and can sit beside or slightly behind the mouth to cut plosives. That flexibility matters as much in theatre, where the mic is hidden, as in broadcast, where you juggle presenters and set-ups.
Durability and compatibility
The 6388 CORE+ carries an IP58 rating against dust and humidity — a serious argument for outdoor sports, corporate work and touring. For connection, it relies on modular terminations compatible with the major wireless systems on the market, and comes in several colours, sizes and connectors. You adapt the same capsule to your transmitter without changing microphone.
Who the 6388 CORE+ is for
- Theatre and musicals, where discretion and stability come first.
- Broadcast and sports production, with humidity resistance and wireless compatibility.
- Houses of worship, conferences and corporate events, for intelligibility and long-wear comfort.
My take
DPA is not reinventing the headset; it is going after its most stubborn weakness: placement. A shifted acoustical axis that tolerates movement is exactly what is missing when a performer sweats or a presenter turns to camera. The price will be a DPA price — high — but when a mic dropout costs you on air, that margin of tolerance is worth gold. For fixed installs and touring alike, this is the kind of tool you forget once it is on — the finest compliment for a headset mic.
Related reading: Sennheiser Spectera SKM and the Calrec Type RT console. Product page: DPA 6388 CORE+.
Frequently asked questions
What does the shifted acoustical axis actually change?
The capsule is designed to stay consistent even if the headset moves slightly during a performance. Tone and level vary less than with a conventional mic that is very sensitive to its exact position in front of the mouth.
Is the 6388 CORE+ compatible with my wireless system?
It uses modular connections compatible with the major wireless systems on the market and comes in several terminations. You pick the version that fits your transmitter without changing the capsule.
Can it be used outdoors?
Yes. Its IP58 rating protects it against dust and humidity, which makes it suitable for outdoor sports, touring and demanding environments.
Does the boom go on the left or the right?
Boom placement is switchable on both sides. You can also position it slightly behind the mouth to reduce plosives, depending on the wearer and the staging.
