Microphones are available is various qualities, depending on how much you are willing to pay. Up to a point there is a near linear rise in performance, but if it is gold plated on the outside, and just junk on the inside it is Audiophoolery.
Carbon microphones are still in use in intercom systems, as they are pretty insensitive to hum on the supply lines, and survive lightning strikes nearby. I did upgrade a couple though using a spare electret insert and a single PNP germanium transistor along with a bias resistor across BE junction to set operating current into the speaker in class A in an intercom. More sensitive and less noise, but only done as the carbon no longer responded to banging and I could not get a replacement quick, as they were out of stock, and only offered a complete indoor unit at a price. Biggest killer of the carbon microphones are cleaners with spray furniture polish, which builds up a silicone oil coating on the granules.
Edit because I suddenly forgot how to spell correctly.