Neumann
Neumann U 89 i
Large-diaphragm condenser, five patterns, transformer output; two-stage low cut and -6 dB pad
Power Phantom, 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −42 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 25%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 47%
- Self-noise
- 17 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 40%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 41%
- Max SPL
- 134 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 33%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 30%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 1980
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 5% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 20% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 36% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-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. 11.
Free field, IEC 60268-4; tolerance ±2 dB (as printed under the graphs). Distance not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 10.
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −42 dBV/Pa (8 mV/Pa)1 kHz into 1 kohm | p. 9 |
| Self-noise | 17 dB(A)IEC 60268-1, A-weighted RMS. "Equivalent noise level, A-weighted 17 dB-A". | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 28 dBCCIR 468-3 quasi-peak | |
| Max SPL | 134 dB SPLless than 0.5% THD; also 140 dB SPL, with pre-attenuation. "Max. SPL for less than 0.5 % THD 134 dB; with preattenuation 140 dB": "THD of microphone amplifier at an input voltage equivalent to the capsule output at the specified SPL". | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 77 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 66 dB, CCIR | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmrated | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmrated load | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"Frequency range 20 Hz...20 kHz"; p. 8: "The frequency response of the U 89 i extends below 20 Hz." | |
| Powering | phantom, 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938)Any P48 supply giving at least 0.8 mA per channel (p. 7). | |
| Current draw | 0.8 mA | |
| Low cut | off, 80 Hz, 160 HzRotary switch on the back: "A cutoff frequency of 80 Hz or 160 Hz can be selected"; "When the "LIN" setting is used, a steep low-cut prevents the output transformer from being overloaded by interference below the audio range". "off" here is LIN. | p. 7 |
| Pad | −6 dBSwitch on the back: ""LIN" or "–6 dB" can be selected". The brief description on p. 6 says the pad "reduces the microphone sensitivity by 10 dB" (also in the German text); the switch label, the 134/140 dB max SPL and the product page ("a switchable 6 dB preattenuation") all say 6 dB. Not shown in the graphs. | |
| Connector | XLR-3"Matching connector XLR3F"; balanced transformer output, pin 1 ground, pin 2 +, pin 3 -. | p. 9 |
| Weight | 400 g | |
| Dimensions | 46 × 185 mmPrinted as "Ø 46 mm x 185 mm": diameter x length. | |
| Supplied accessories | Wooden boxScope of delivery: "U 89 i (mt) microphone, Operating manual, Wooden box". | p. 6 |
| Max. output voltage | 800 mV (0.3 dBu) | p. 9 |
| Off-axis response | Almost linear frequency response up to 10 kHz over an incidence angle of 200° | p. 6 |
| Pattern switching | Noise rises for a few seconds after a pattern change while the capsule recharges to its new bias | p. 7 |
| Address | From the side with the Neumann logo | |
| Cable length | Up to about 300 m without effect on the frequency response | |
| Operating temperature | 0 °C to +70 °C | p. 9 |
| Selected accessories | EA 89 A elastic suspension, MNV 87 auditorium hanger, DS 120 and SG 289 mounts, PS 15 / PS 20 a popscreens, WS 89 windscreen, N 248 power supply, IC 3 mt / IC 4 cables | |
| From the product page | ||
| Released | 1980"Introduced in 1980, the U 89 i was conceived with the goal to improve upon the classic Neumann U 87." Recording Hacks says 1990. | |
| Capsule | K 89 dual-diaphragm large-diaphragm capsule"Its K89 dual diaphragm condenser capsule is an advanced design with an extended, very smooth frequency response in all polar patterns." | |
| Version | U 89 i mt (matte black) | |
Documents
- U 89 i Bedienungsanleitung / Operating Manual, Publ. 08/15069422/A03
- U 89 ineumann.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Neumann, unchanged, with its original address.
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