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Sennheiser MKH 416
Photo: Sennheiser, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Sennheiser

Sennheiser MKH 416

Shotgun (interference tube), RF condenser, supercardioid/lobar

Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Supercardioid / lobar
Sensitivity
−32 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
13 dB(A)
Max SPL
130 dB SPL
Impedance
25 Ω
Rated range
40 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 2. Drawn as absolute sensitivity (dB re 1 V/Pa), not normalised to 0 dB. Distance, anechoic or not, smoothing and typical-vs-individual are 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. Measuring conditions not stated. Each frequency is drawn on one side only (125 to 1000 Hz left, 2000 to 16000 Hz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric. Approximate some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 1k Hz, 2k Hz, 8k Hz, 16k Hz.

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All specs

From the spec sheet
Sensitivity−32 dBV/Pa (25 mV/Pa), free field, no load, 1 kHz; ± 1 dB. Stated as 25 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.025) = -32.0.p. 2
Self-noise13 dB(A), approx.
Self-noise (CCIR 468)24 dB, CCIR-weighted (CCIR 468-3), approx.
Max SPL130 dB SPL. THD criterion not stated.
Signal-to-noise ratio81 dB, re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted. Not stated; computed as 94 - 13.
Output impedance25 ohm, nominal
Rated load impedance800 ohm, minimum terminating impedance, approx.
Rated frequency range40 Hz to 20 kHz. Tolerance not stated.
Poweringphantom, 48 V ± 4 V
Current draw2 mA, approx.
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "3-pol. XLR connector"
Weight175 g
Dimensions19 × 250 mm. Diameter × length.
Finishmatt black
Supplied accessoriesMZQ 100 microphone clamp; MZW 415 foam windshield; Pouch; Instruction manual. The 10/2025 manual (p. 3) lists a carry bag instead of a pouch.p. 1
Article no.001511 (MKH 416-P48U3)
Temperature range-10 °C to + 70 °Cp. 2
Pin assignment1: Ground, housing; supply (–); 2: NF (+); supply (+); 3: NF (-); supply (-)
OutputTransformerless and fully floating balanced outputp. 1
From the manual
CapsuleRF condenser; pressure-gradient transducer combined with a short interference tubep. 4
Proximity effectLow proximity effect
Frequency response characterIntentionally slightly rising at high frequencies
Wind and popRelatively insensitive to wind and pop noise; an extra windshield is recommended outdoors
RF circuitRF bias voltage below 10 V from a built-in low-noise oscillator (8 MHz)

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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