Neumann
Neumann KM 185
Small-diaphragm condenser, hypercardioid, transformerless
Power Phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Hypercardioid
- Sensitivity
- −40 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 15 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 53%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 54%
- Max SPL
- 142 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 73%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 71%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 1999
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 62% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 77% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 10.
Free field, IEC 60268-4; tolerance ±2 dB (as printed on the page). Distance not stated. The solid curve is the nominal response; the dashed lines are its tolerance band.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 11.
Free field, IEC 60268-4. Each curve is drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric. Rings every 5 dB, centre -25 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| The table lists KM 183/KM 184/KM 185; this is the third value. | ||
| Sensitivity | −40 dBV/Pa (10 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm; ± 1 dB. Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as 10 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.010) = -40.0. | p. 8 |
| Self-noise | 15 dB(A)IEC 60268-1; A-weighted per IEC 61672-1, RMS. | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 24 dBCCIR 468-3, quasi peak. | |
| Max SPL | 142 dB SPLless than 0.5% THD. "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL". | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 79 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 70 dB, re 94 dB SPL, CCIR 468-3. | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohmrated impedance | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrated load impedance | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHzTolerance not stated in the table; the graph is printed with "tolerance ±2 dB". | |
| Powering | phantom P48, 48 V ± 4 V (IEC 61938)Any P48 supply giving at least 3.2 mA per channel (p. 7). | |
| Current draw | 3.2 mA | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"Matching connector XLR 3F"; pin 1 ground, pin 2 + (positive voltage for a pressure rise on the front), pin 3 - (p. 7). | |
| Weight | 80 gapprox. | |
| Dimensions | 22 × 107 mm"Ø 22 mm x 107 mm": diameter × length. | |
| Supplied accessories | SG 21 bk swivel mount; WNS 100 windscreen"Delivery includes: Microphone, Swivel mount SG 21 bk, Windscreen WNS 100". | p. 6 |
| Max. output voltage | 10 dBu | p. 8 |
| Off-axis response | Signals within a pick-up angle of ± 135° are reproduced without any coloration | p. 6 |
| Cable length | Not affected by very long cables; a fall-off at the top only well over 300 m | p. 7 |
| Operating conditions | 0 °C to +70 °C, 0 to 75 % relative humidity; storage -20 °C to +70 °C, 0 to 95 % | p. 8 |
| Selected accessories | DS 120; MF 2, MF 3, MF 4, MF 5 stands; STV extensions; MNV 21 mt auditorium hanger; EA 2124 A mt elastic suspension; PS 15, PS 20a popscreens; WNS 110, WS 100 windscreens; N 248 power supply; IC 3 mt cable | |
| From the product page | ||
| Capsule | small-diaphragm pressure-gradient capsule, hypercardioid"Acoustical operating principle: Pressure gradient transducer". The manual's table gives "Pressure/Pressure gradient transducer" for the series (the KM 183 is the pressure one). | |
| Dynamic range | 127 dB"Its innovative transformerless head amplifier offers a wide dynamic range of 127 dB" (142 dB minus 15 dB-A). | |
| Finish | nickel or blackOrder info: colour nickel (Cat. No. 008440) and black (008441). | |
| Cat. No. | KM 185 nickel 008440; KM 185 mt (black) 008441; stereo set (2 × KM 185, nickel) 008526 | |
| Rear rejection | Hypercardioid pattern frequency-independent; rejection of rearward sound (120°) excellent, even at low frequencies | |
| 0° response | Very smooth and linear with a slight treble lift around 10 kHz | |
| Applications | Acoustic instruments (piano, acoustic guitar, upright bass, violin, cello, wind), drums and percussion; snare with hi-hat spill suppressed; classical vocals; TV and radio | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1999 | |
Documents
- Series 180KM 183 / 184 / 185) Bedienungsanleitung / Operating Manual, Publ. 07/20 (539525/A03
- KM 185Series 180) (neumann.com
- KK 185 + KM A, KK 185 + KM D, KM 185 frequency diagramNeumann artwork file, 2017
- KK 185 + KM A, KK 185 + KM D, KM 185 polar patternNeumann artwork file, 2017
- Neumann KM 185 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Neumann, unchanged, with its original address.
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