Mic Archive
Sennheiser ME 66
Photo: Sennheiser, from its spec sheet rh, p. 1.

Sennheiser

Sennheiser ME 66

Short shotgun back-electret condenser microphone head, supercardioid/lobar, for the K6 and K6P powering modules (K6 modular system)

Type
Condenser (electret)
Pattern
Supercardioid / lobar
Sensitivity
−26 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
10 dB(A)
Max SPL
126 dB SPL
Impedance
200 Ω
Rated range
40 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 4. Graph "Nominal frequency response (0° and 90°)" ("Soll-Frequenzgang"), absolute, axis labelled "dBV" (sensitivity: the 0° curve is near -26 dB at 1 kHz, the stated 50 mV/Pa). On the K6 module, presumably; 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

Polar pattern: from the manual, p. 4. Graph "Pick-up pattern". Each curve drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet rh
Capsuleback-electret condenser with a short interference tube ("short gun"). "short gun microphone head".p. 1
Sensitivity−26 dBV/Pa (50 mV/Pa), free field, no load, 1 kHz; ± 2.5 dB. Not stated by the manufacturer: Converted from "50 mV/Pa ± 2.5 dB".
Self-noise10 dB(A). "A-weighted (DIN IEC 651) 10 dB".
Self-noise (CCIR 468)21 dB. "CCIR-weighted (CCIR 468-3) 21 dB".
Max SPL126 dB SPL, 1 kHz, THD 1%; also 125 dB SPL, 1 kHz, K = 1% (2004 instructions, "125 dB(A)"). "Max. SPL (1 kHz) 126 dB (THD = 1 %)". The instructions say "Max. sound pressure level for K = 1% 125 dB(A) for 1 kHz" (page 2).
Signal-to-noise ratio84 dB, re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted. Not stated; computed as 94 - 10.
Output impedance200 ohm, nominal, with K6. "200 Ω (with K6)".
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, minimum, with K6. "1 kΩ (with K6)".
Rated frequency range40 Hz to 20 kHz, ± 2.5 dB
Weight65 g, microphone head alone; also 110, with K6 (65 g + approx. 45 g). "65 g". The K6 weighs "approx. 45 g" (K6 sheet); the sum is ours.
Dimensions22.5 × 221 mm, microphone head alone. Diameter × length, "Ø 22.5 x 221 mm". With the K6 add its "resultant length" of 94 mm (K6 sheet), with the K6P 52 mm.
Art. no.003284
FinishMatt black, anodised, scratch-resistant
Windshields (optional)MZW 66 foam windshield (cat. no. 003704), MZW 66 pro (003712)
Uses (Sennheiser)Reporting, film and broadcast location work; picking up quiet sources in noisy or reverberant places
From the k6 cutsheet rh
Poweringfrom the K6 powering module: phantom 12-48 V (± 4 V) or a 1.5 V AA battery; K6P: phantom only. "phantom 12 - 48 V (± 4 V) or 1.5 V AA size battery"; the K6P sheet: phantom 12-48 V only.p. 1
Current draw2.2 mA, K6 supply current. "Supply current 2.2 mA"; battery life approx. 150 hours.
ConnectorXLR-3 (on the K6/K6P powering module). "Transformerless balanced output on 3-pin XLR connector".
Modular systemMicrophone head for the K6 (battery or phantom, cat. no. 003279) and K6P (phantom only, 003280) powering modules; sister heads ME 62 (omni), ME 64 (cardioid), ME 65 (supercardioid), ME 67 (long gun)
K6 powering moduleSwitchable bass roll-off filter (frequency not stated); on/off switch with battery test; transmission factor 0 dB at 1 kHz; max. output voltage 2 V at 1 kHz; response 30-20,000 Hz -1 dB

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

Other mics