Peavey PVM 22 Diamond Microphone (late 1990s)
Little is documented about the Peavey 22 as a standalone model number. What the record shows is that Peavey marketed a PVM 22 Diamond Microphone in the late 1990s. It was a hand-held dynamic mic aimed squarely at the industry-standard workhorse mics that had dominated stages for decades. The PVM 22 appears to have been part of Peavey's Diamond Microphone series. The company ran a sustained "Dare to Compare" campaign in EQ Magazine around 1998-1999, urging musicians to test it against their favorite microphone.
The PVM 22 had a diamond-coated diaphragm, which Peavey claimed gave exceptionally accurate signal reproduction. It also had internal acoustical baffles for reduced handling noise. The advertising said these used materials originally developed for the space shuttle. Sensitivity was rated at -52 dB. Peavey asserted that this made the mic 4 dB hotter (more sensitive) than older competing designs, which they pegged at -56 dB. EQ Magazine (May 1998, p.7) presented these comparisons directly, inviting readers to "test drive the PVM 22 Diamond Mic" and calling it "the new standard in hand-held microphones."
Beyond the magazine campaign, almost nothing else is recorded about this model. No production years, original price, or technical specifications beyond the sensitivity figure have surfaced in the archive. It appears to have been a direct competitor to the Shure SM58 and similar dynamic vocal mics, but how it actually performed or sold is undocumented. The PVM 22 remains a minor footnote in Peavey's microphone lineup — a bold but poorly preserved challenger.
Known specifications (from period advertising only):
- Type: Hand-held dynamic microphone
- Diaphragm: Diamond-coated
- Sensitivity: –52 dB
- Handling noise reduction: Internal acoustical baffles (space shuttle materials claimed)
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.