Sennheiser
Sennheiser MKH 8060
Short shotgun (interference tube), RF condenser, supercardioid/lobar; modular MKH 8000 series (microphone head on the MZX 8000 XLR module)
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 2
- Sensitivity
- −24 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 99%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 99%
- Self-noise
- 11 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 78%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 79%
- Max SPL
- 129 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 17%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 15%
- Rated range
- 50 – 25k Hz
- Released
- 2011
vs 10 shotgun condensers
More output than 89% 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 71% 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 43% 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.
Graph "Frequency response" in absolute dB (sensitivity, dBV/Pa: the 0° curve is near -24 dB at 1 kHz). The sheet has no legend; the brochure and the manual label the solid line 0° and the dashed line 90°. 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.
Graph "Polar pattern". Each curve drawn on one side only (125 to 1000 Hz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −24 dBV/Pa (63 mV/Pa)"-24 dBV/Pa (63 mV/Pa)". | p. 2 |
| Self-noise | 11 dB(A)The brochure adds "(DIN-IEC 651)". | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 23 dBThe brochure adds "(CCIR 268-3)". | |
| Max SPL | 129 dB SPL"Max. SPL"; no THD figure given. The manual calls it "Sound pressure level limit" (page 100). | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 83 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted. Not stated; computed as 94 - 11. | |
| Output impedance | 25 ohmnominal | |
| Rated load impedance | 2000 ohmminimum. "Min. terminating impedance 2 kΩ". | |
| Rated frequency range | 50 Hz to 25 kHzNo tolerance given. | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938) | |
| Current draw | 3.3 mA | |
| Weight | 112 gapprox., with the MZX 8000 XLR module; also 80, microphone head alone. "approx. 80 g", "with MZX 8000 XLR module approx. 112 g". | |
| Dimensions | 19 × 178 mmapprox., with the MZX 8000 XLR module; also [19, 145], microphone head alone. Diameter × length: "approx. 19 mm"; "approx. 145 mm", "with MZX 8000 XLR module approx. 178 mm". | |
| Finish | non-reflective Nextel coating | p. 1 |
| Supplied accessories | MZQ 8060 microphone clip; MZW 8060 windshield; transport case"Delivery includes". The brochure calls the case a "threaded transport tube" (page 3). | |
| Art. no. | 506292 | |
| Output | Transformerless, fully floating balanced | |
| Modular design | Microphone head on the MZX 8000 XLR module; with the MZD 8000 digital module instead it becomes a digital (AES42) microphone | |
| Operating temperature | -10 °C to +60 °C | p. 2 |
| UsesSennheiser | Feature film, documentary, outdoor shoots and studio; boom pole and camera mounting | p. 1 |
| Climate | Extremely weather-proof due to the RF circuit | |
| From the manual | ||
| Connector | XLR-3 (on the MZX 8000 XLR module)"Connect the XLR-3 socket of the microphone cable ... to the XLR-3 socket of the microphone"; page 62 shows the microphone head and the XLR module. | p. 64 |
| Windshield | MZW 8060 foam windshield changes the sound only slightly; attenuates wind noise by approx. 25 dB | |
| Optional accessories | MZS 20-1 pistol-grip suspension, MZW 20-1 basket windshield, MZH 20-1 hairy cover; MZS 40 shock mount | p. 63 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2011 | |
| From the catalog (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Capsule | RF condenser, symmetrical design, with a short interference tube"features a symmetrical RF condenser design and short interference tube that suppresses off-axis sound without coloration". | p. 2 |
Documents
- MKH 8000 Series, MKH 8060, Product SpecificationSP 1345 V1.0
- MKH 8000 series instruction manual, v1.4, 03/2026PDF export of the HTML manual
- MKH 8060 Short Shotgun Microphone brochureSennheiser USA, 03/11
- Sennheiser Electronics Corporation MKH 8060 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.