Which type of microphone typically requires phantom power?

The correct choice is the condenser microphone, which typically requires phantom power to operate. Condenser microphones utilize an electrically charged diaphragm and backplate to convert sound waves into electrical signals. This design requires a voltage source to maintain the charge between the diaphragm and the backplate, which is often supplied through a feature called phantom power, typically provided by audio interfaces, mixing consoles, or dedicated power supplies.

In contrast, dynamic microphones operate without needing external power, as they use a diaphragm attached to a coil that moves within a magnetic field to generate an electrical signal. Lavalier microphones are a type of condenser microphone and can also require phantom power, but many models are battery-operated, making them less reliant on external power sources. Boundary microphones, which can be either dynamic or condenser types, also may or may not require phantom power depending on their design, but they are not universally dependent on it.

Thus, because of their specific operating principles and the need for external power sources to function effectively, condenser microphones stand out in this context as the type that typically requires phantom power.