All the mics I have assembled and tested with my QMX+ (which is now a LOT of mics) have had various results. I have not changed the default settings from the SSB firmware, but some elements pick me up from several inches away and others I need to be about about 3 inches from the mic. This is not a problem for me, I like to hold the mic close anyway, so I usually have to turn down the mic gain. Every mic element will be slightly different.
?
All the elements that I have used and tested were adequate to pick up my voice with the default settings in my QMX+ and hear it well with my Yaesu FT-710. (QMX transmitting into dummy load, FT-710 has 18dB attenuation turned on and an G5RV antenna in the back yard) I have not found one yet that I thought was inadequate for the job. I did notice a slight difference when I used a "cheap" (not inexpensive cheap, but flimsy cheap) and a nice cable. The better quality cable yielded slightly better performance.
