Sennheiser
Sennheiser MKH 800
RF condenser, five switchable patterns, response to 50 kHz, small side-address studio mic
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom, 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −28 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 97%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 98%
- Self-noise
- 10 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 81%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 82%
- Max SPL
- 136 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 45%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 42%
- Rated range
- 30 – 50k Hz
- Released
- 2002
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 99% 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 61% 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 43% 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.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
1 of 2; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the quick guide, p. 2.
Untitled graph per pattern, legend "0°", "45°", "90°" (figure-8: "0°/180°", "45°"); relative dB. Distance not printed here; the 2004 product sheet's on-axis graphs say "measurement distance 1m" and "Deviation from nominal frequency response max ± 2dB". Switches presumably flat (not stated).
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the quick guide, p. 2. Approximate
Each frequency drawn on one side only (125 to 2000 Hz on one half, 4000 to 32000 Hz on the other); the pattern is taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 2k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the quick guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −28 dBV/Pa (40 mV/Pa)free field, no load, 1 kHz, ±1 dB. "40 mV/Pa ± 1 dB"; converted (20 log10 0.040). | p. 1 |
| Self-noise | 10 dB(A)DIN IEC 651. "10 dB(A) (DIN IEC 651)". | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 20 dBCCIR 468-3 | |
| Max SPL | 136 dB SPL1 kHz, pad off; distortion not stated; also 142 dB SPL, 1 kHz, pad on (6 or 12 dB). "136 (142) dB / 1 kHz"; the product sheet: "Values in parentheses with attenuator switched on (6/12 dB)". | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmnominal | |
| Rated load impedance | 2000 ohmminimum. "2 kΩ". | |
| Rated frequency range | 30 Hz to 50 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom, 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938) | |
| Current draw | 3 mA | |
| Low cut | off, -3 dB, -6 dB; 50 Hz; bass attenuationSwitch "bass attenuation": 0 dB, -3 dB, -6 dB, marked "50Hz" on the body. Not graphed. | |
| Pad | −12 dBtwo steps: -6 and -12 dB. Switch "preattenuation": 0 dB, -6 dB, -12 dB. | |
| Switches | treble emphasis: 0 dB, +3 dB, +6 dBSwitch "treble emphasis": 0 dB, +3 dB, +6 dB, marked "8kHz" on the body. Not graphed. | |
| Connector | XLR-3 | |
| Weight | 135 g | |
| Dimensions | 26.7 × 176 mm"⌀ 26.7 x 176 mm": diameter × length. | |
| From the spec sheet | ||
| Capsule | RF condenser, symmetrical push-pull capsule"RF Symmetrical Capsule"; "Transformerless and fully floating balanced output". | p. 1 |
| Supplied accessories | MZS 80 shock mount; MZW 80 foam windshield"Delivery includes: 1 MKH 800 P 48, 1 MZS 80 shock mount, 1 MZW 80 windshield". The quick guide's "In the box" pictures the same, plus the guides. | |
| LED | LED for on-axis alignment (marks the front) | |
| Body | Anodised light metal body | |
| Intended useSennheiser | "the first microphone to fully utilise the wider frequency response and dynamic range of the new high bit-rate standard of advanced digital recording systems (for example SACD)" | |
| Recommended accessories | MZA 14 P 48 U battery power supply (002960), MZW 80 foam windshield (003780), MZS 80 shock mount (003685), MZP 40 popshield (003132) | |
| Response tolerance | Deviation from nominal frequency response max ± 2 dB | p. 2 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2002 | |
Documents
- MKH 800 P48 Quick GuidePubl. 06/19, 583947/A01
- MKH 800 P 48 product sheetCat. No. 004927
- MKH 800 P48archived product page
- Sennheiser Electronics Corporation MKH 800 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.