What improvement did the ceramic microphone provide over the crystal microphone?

The ceramic microphone represents a significant advancement over the crystal microphone primarily due to its improved sensitivity. Sensitivity in microphones refers to the ability to convert sound waves into electrical signals; a more sensitive microphone can pick up quieter sounds and reproduce them more accurately. Ceramic microphones utilize piezoelectric materials that respond more effectively to sound pressure changes compared to the older crystal technology, thus allowing for better performance in capturing a wider range of sound frequencies.

While lower impedance, better durability, and higher volume output are important characteristics for microphones, they do not define the primary improvement that ceramic microphones offer over crystal microphones. Although ceramic microphones often exhibit lower impedance and increased durability, the key enhancement that made them more popular in various applications is their superior sensitivity, enabling better sound recording and reproduction.