Sennheiser
Sennheiser e 901
Pre-polarised condenser boundary microphone, half-cardioid, for kick drum (evolution series)
Power Phantom 48 V (P48).
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Half-cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −66 dBV/Pa
- Among 311 mics: more output than 1%
- Max SPL
- 154 dB SPL
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 95%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 204 condensers
More output than 0% of 204 condensers.
Each stripe is one condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 277 condensers
Takes louder sound than 97% of 277 condensers.
Each stripe is one 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 spec sheet, p. 2.
Graph "Frequency response" in absolute dBV/Pa; four curves: 1 m at 0°, 90° and 180°, and 10 cm at 0°. Room, mounting (on a surface or inside a drum) and smoothing not stated.
The manufacturer draws absolute sensitivity (dBV/Pa); shifted here by a constant so 1 kHz is near 0 dB.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Graph "Polar pattern", "5 dB/DIV". Each curve drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); taken as symmetric. For a boundary mic the plane of the plot is not stated. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −66 dBV/Pa (0.5 mV/Pa)1 kHz, free field, no load; ± 2.5 dB. "-66 dBV/Pa (0.5 mV/Pa) ± 2.5 dB". The 2004 instructions: "0.5 mV/Pa" (page 6). | p. 1 |
| Output impedance | 50 ohmnominal; also 100 ohm, 2004 instructions: "< 100 Ω" at 1 kHz. "Nominal impedance 50 Ω"; the architect's specification says "less than 50 Ω". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum. "Min. terminating impedance 1 kΩ". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz± 2.5 dB deviation to reference. "20 - 20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB deviation to reference". | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V (P48)"P48". The 2004 instructions: "48 V / 1.1 mA" (page 6). | |
| Current draw | 2 mAalso 1.1 mA, 2004 instructions | |
| Connector | XLR-3, gold-plated, built in"Integrated preamp and gold-plated standard XLR plug, no need for special adapter cable". | |
| Weight | 515 galso 550, 2004 instructions. "515 g"; the architect's specification: "approximately 515 grams" without cable. | |
| Dimensions | 125 × 105 × 29 mmalso [126.5, 105, 26.5], 2004 instructions. Length × width × height, "125 x 105 x 29 mm"; the 2004 instructions give length 126.5, width 105, height 26.5 mm (page 6). | |
| Supplied accessories | pouch"Delivery includes": e 901, pouch, quick guide, safety guide. | |
| Housing | Flat housing with an extremely rugged, step-resistant sound inlet basket and a slip-free rubber damping plate on the base | |
| Preamp | Integrated | |
| Diaphragm | Extremely thin, high-strength | |
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Max SPL | 154 dB SPL1 kHz. "Max. sound pressure level 154 dB SPL at 1 kHz"; no THD figure. The current sheet gives no max SPL ("Handles very high sound pressure levels"). | p. 6 |
| PlacementSennheiser | No stand needed: lay it on a towel or pillow inside the kick drum. Bottom of the drum, about 10-20 cm from the batter head; turn it away from the beater for less attack. Can be combined with an e 902 at the resonant head (then reverse the polarity of the lower mic) | p. 4 |
Documents
- evolution wired e 901, Product SpecificationV1.1
- e 901 Instructions for usePubl. 08/04, 094279/A01
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Sennheiser, unchanged, with its original address.
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