Sennheiser
Sennheiser MKH 416
Shotgun (interference tube), RF condenser, supercardioid/lobar
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom, 48 V ± 4 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 2
- Sensitivity
- −32 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 83%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 88%
- Self-noise
- 13 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 67%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 68%
- Max SPL
- 130 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 18%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 16%
- Rated range
- 40 – 20k Hz
vs 10 shotgun condensers
More output than 44% of 10 shotgun condensers.
Each stripe is one shotgun condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 15 shotgun condensers
Quieter than 43% of 15 shotgun condensers.
Each stripe is one shotgun condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 15 shotgun condensers
Takes louder sound than 50% of 15 shotgun condensers.
Each stripe is one shotgun 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.
Drawn as absolute sensitivity (dB re 1 V/Pa), not normalised to 0 dB. Distance, anechoic or not, smoothing and typical-vs-individual are 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. Approximate
Measuring conditions not stated. Each frequency is drawn on one side only (125 to 1000 Hz left, 2000 to 16000 Hz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric.
Approximate: some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 1k Hz, 2k Hz, 8k Hz, 16k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −32 dBV/Pa (25 mV/Pa)free field, no load, 1 kHz; ± 1 dB. Stated as 25 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.025) = -32.0. | p. 2 |
| Self-noise | 13 dB(A)approx. | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 24 dBCCIR-weighted (CCIR 468-3), approx. | |
| Max SPL | 130 dB SPLTHD criterion not stated. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 81 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted. Not stated; computed as 94 - 13. | |
| Output impedance | 25 ohmnominal | |
| Rated load impedance | 800 ohmminimum terminating impedance, approx. | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 20 kHzTolerance not stated. | |
| Powering | phantom, 48 V ± 4 V | |
| Current draw | 2 mAapprox. | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"3-pol. XLR connector" | |
| Weight | 175 g | |
| Dimensions | 19 × 250 mmDiameter × length. | |
| Finish | matt black | |
| Supplied accessories | MZQ 100 microphone clamp; MZW 415 foam windshield; Pouch; Instruction manualThe 10/2025 manual (p. 3) lists a carry bag instead of a pouch. | p. 1 |
| Article no. | 001511 (MKH 416-P48U3) | |
| Temperature range | -10 °C to + 70 °C | p. 2 |
| Pin assignment | 1: Ground, housing; supply (–); 2: NF (+); supply (+); 3: NF (-); supply (-) | |
| Output | Transformerless and fully floating balanced output | p. 1 |
| From the manual | ||
| Capsule | RF condenser; pressure-gradient transducer combined with a short interference tube | p. 4 |
| Proximity effect | Low proximity effect | |
| Frequency response character | Intentionally slightly rising at high frequencies | |
| Wind and pop | Relatively insensitive to wind and pop noise; an extra windshield is recommended outdoors | |
| RF circuit | RF bias voltage below 10 V from a built-in low-noise oscillator (8 MHz) | |
Documents
- MKH 416 Product Specification (SP 1303 v1.0), EN
- MKH 416 instruction manual, EN
- MKH 416 instructions for use
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.