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Sennheiser e 901
Photo: Sennheiser, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Sennheiser

Sennheiser e 901

Pre-polarised condenser boundary microphone, half-cardioid, for kick drum (evolution series)

Type
Condenser (electret)
Pattern
Half-cardioid
Sensitivity
−66 dBV/Pa
Max SPL
154 dB SPL
Impedance
50 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: 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

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.

Compare with other mics

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 impedance50 ohm, nominal; 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 impedance1000 ohm, minimum. "Min. terminating impedance 1 kΩ".
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz, ± 2.5 dB deviation to reference. "20 - 20,000 Hz ± 2.5 dB deviation to reference".
Poweringphantom 48 V (P48). "P48". The 2004 instructions: "48 V / 1.1 mA" (page 6).
Current draw2 mA; also 1.1 mA, 2004 instructions
ConnectorXLR-3, gold-plated, built in. "Integrated preamp and gold-plated standard XLR plug, no need for special adapter cable".
Weight515 g; also 550, 2004 instructions. "515 g"; the architect's specification: "approximately 515 grams" without cable.
Dimensions125 × 105 × 29 mm; also [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 accessoriespouch. "Delivery includes": e 901, pouch, quick guide, safety guide.
HousingFlat housing with an extremely rugged, step-resistant sound inlet basket and a slip-free rubber damping plate on the base
PreampIntegrated
DiaphragmExtremely thin, high-strength
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy)
Max SPL154 dB SPL, 1 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
Placement (Sennheiser)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

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Sennheiser, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on sennheiser.comRecording Hacks

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