Sennheiser
Sennheiser MKH 8040
Small-diaphragm RF condenser, cardioid; modular MKH 8000 series (microphone head on the MZX 8000 XLR module)
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −34 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 69%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 79%
- Self-noise
- 13 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 67%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 68%
- Max SPL
- 142 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 73%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 71%
- Rated range
- 30 – 50k Hz
- Released
- 2008
vs 75 end-address condensers
More output than 66% of 75 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 79% 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.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Graph "Frequency response" in absolute dB (sensitivity, dBV/Pa: the 0° curve is at -34 dB at 1 kHz); 20 to 100 kHz shaded on the graph. Distance, room 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. Approximate
Each curve drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 32 kHz right); taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 250 Hz, 500 Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Self-noise | 13 dB(A)The 2007 instructions add "(DIN 651)". | p. 2 |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 22 dBThe 2007 instructions add "(CCIR 268-3)". | |
| Max SPL | 142 dB SPLalso 137 dB SPL, with the MZF 8000 II filter module. "Max. SPL"; no THD figure given. The manual calls it "Sound pressure level limit" (page 96). | |
| Rated frequency range | 30 Hz to 50 kHzalso [35, 50000], 2007 instructions. No tolerance given. The 2007 instructions say "35 Hz – 50 kHz" (page 10). | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938) | |
| Current draw | 3.3 mA | |
| Finish | non-reflective Nextel coating | p. 1 |
| Supplied accessories | MZQ 8000 microphone clip; MZW 8000 windshield; transport case"Delivery includes". | |
| Operating temperature | -10 °C to +60 °C | p. 2 |
| Art. no. | 506289 | p. 1 |
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Capsule | RF condenser, symmetrical transducer"Symmetrical transducer technology ensures extremely low distortion". | p. 5 |
| Output impedance | 25 ohmConnection data: "25 Ω impedance". Not given in the current sheet or manual. | p. 7 |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum. "1000 Ω min. terminating impedance". | |
| Connector | XLR-3 (on the MZX 8000 XLR module)Delivered as the MKH 8040 microphone head on the MZX 8000 XLR module (page 6). | |
| Output | Transformerless, fully floating balanced | p. 5 |
| Modular design | MKHC 8040 microphone head (cat. no. 502095) on the MZX 8000 XLR module (502098); the head can be swapped for other 8000-series heads or moved onto extension tubes and remote cables | p. 7 |
| From the manual | ||
| Sensitivity | −34 dBV/Pa (20 mV/Pa)also −44 dBV/Pa, with the MZF 8000 II filter module. "-34 dBV/Pa (20 mV/Pa) without MZF 8000 II filter module"; "-44 dBV/Pa (6.3 mV/Pa) with MZF 8000 II filter module" (that module has a -10 dB attenuation switch, page 109). The spec sheet gives the same. | p. 96 |
| Weight | 55 gapprox., with the MZX 8000 XLR module; also 25, microphone head alone. "approx. 25 g", "approx. 55 g with XLR-Modul MZX 8000". | |
| Dimensions | 19 × 75 mmapprox., with the MZX 8000 XLR module; also [19, 41], microphone head alone. Diameter × length: "approx. 19 mm"; "approx. 41 mm", "approx. 75 mm with XLR-Modul MZX 8000". | |
| Windshield | MZW 8000 changes the sound only slightly; attenuates wind noise by approx. 30 dB | p. 56 |
| Stereo set | MKH 8040 Stereoset (art. no. 506290): matched pair, sensitivity difference < 1 dB, frequency response difference < 1 dB | p. 17 |
| MZF 8000 II filter moduleoptional | Low-cut -3 dB at 16 Hz; switchable roll-off -3 dB at 70 Hz; switchable -10 dB attenuation; adds 1 dB(A) noise (4 dB(A) with the attenuation) | p. 109 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2008 | |
Documents
- MKH 8000 Series, MKH 8040 - MKH 8040 Stereoset, Product SpecificationV1.1
- MKH 8000 series instruction manual, v1.4, 03/2026PDF export of the HTML manual
- Instructions for use MKH 8040515895/A01, 06/07
- Sennheiser Electronics Corporation MKH 8040 | 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.