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Sennheiser MKH 70
Photo: Sennheiser, from its spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Sennheiser

Sennheiser MKH 70

Long shotgun (interference tube), RF condenser, supercardioid/lobar, with switchable pad, roll-off and treble emphasis

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Supercardioid / lobar
Sensitivity
−26 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
5 dB(A)
Max SPL
124 dB SPL
Impedance
150 Ω
Rated range
50 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the quick guide, p. 2. One graph under "Polar pattern and frequency response", with the legend "Effect of switchable roll-off-filter" and "Effect of switchable treble emphasis" (both dotted). Relative dB, 0 dB at 1 kHz. Distance, room and smoothing not stated.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the quick guide, p. 2. Titled "Polar pattern and frequency response". Each curve drawn on one side only (125 to 1000 Hz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the quick guide
Sensitivity−26 dBV/Pa (50 mV/Pa), free field, no load, 1 kHz; also −36.5 dBV/Pa, pre-attenuation on. Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as "50 (15) mV/Pa ±1 dB"; converted: 20 log10(0.050) = -26.0, 20 log10(0.015) = -36.5. Values in parentheses are with the -10 dB pre-attenuation on. The older instructions give "50 mV/Pa (15 mV/Pa) ≙ -28 dBV (-38 dBV)" (page 13), which does not match its own mV figures.p. 2
Self-noise5 dB(A), DIN IEC 651; also 13 dB(A), pre-attenuation on; also 8 dB(A), older instructions, DIN 45 500 curve A. Values in parentheses are with the -10 dB pre-attenuation on. The 2004 product sheet agrees; the older instructions say "8 dB (15 dB)" (page 13).
Self-noise (CCIR 468)16 dB, CCIR 468-3; also 24 dB, pre-attenuation on; also 20 dB, older instructions, DIN 45 405 / CCIR 468. Values in parentheses are with the -10 dB pre-attenuation on. The older instructions say "20 dB (26 dB)" (page 13).
Max SPL124 dB SPL, 1 kHz; also 132 dB SPL, pre-attenuation on; also 123 dB SPL, older instructions. Values in parentheses are with the -10 dB pre-attenuation on. No THD figure given. The older instructions say "123 dB (133 dB)" (page 13).
Output impedance150 ohm. "Nominal impedance".
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, minimum
Rated frequency range50 Hz to 20 kHz. No tolerance given.
Poweringphantom 48 V ± 4 V. The older instructions: "phantom supply as per DIN 45 596", 44 to 52 V (page 13).
Current draw2 mA
Pad−10 dB. "switch for preattenuation", marked "-10 dB". The older instructions: "Pre-attenuation 10 dB, defeatable" (page 13).p. 1
ConnectorXLR-3. "XLR-3 connector".
Weight180 g, approx.p. 2
Dimensions25 × 410 mm. "⌀ 25 x 410 mm": diameter × length.
Supplied accessoriesmicrophone clamp. "In the box" shows the mic, a clamp, the quick guide and the safety guide. The 2004 product sheet says only "Delivery includes: 1 MKH 70".p. 1
Phantom wiring6.8 kΩ feed resistors per leg, or 3.3 kΩ to a transformer centre tapp. 2
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy)
CapsuleRF condenser, symmetrical (push-pull) transducer, with interference tube. "Symmetrical transducer technology ensures extremely low distortion"; "long gun" "interference tube microphone"; the older instructions: "pressure gradient / interference receiver" (page 13).p. 1
Finishblack anodised light metal. "Black, anodised light metal body".
VariantsMKH 70 P 48 (cat. no. 003149, the 2004 product sheet); MKH 70-1 (article no. 003149, the 2019 quick guide)
OutputTransformerless, fully floating balanced
Uses (Sennheiser)Difficult conditions: high background noise and distant mic positions
ConstructionRugged and weather-proof
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy)
Low cutoff, on. "Roll-off filter: additional 3 dB attenuation at 70 Hz". The quick guide calls it the "switch for roll-off-filter" (page 1); on its graph (page 2) the dotted line is about 5 dB below the solid one at 70 Hz.p. 13
Switchestreble emphasis: off, on. "Presence filter: 5 dB emphasis at 10 kHz". The quick guide calls it the "switch for presence filter" (page 1) and "switchable treble emphasis" (page 2).
Low-cut filter18 dB/oct below 50 Hz (built in, always on)
Optional accessoriesMZS 20-1 shock mount (pistol grip), MZW 70-1 basket windshield, MZH 70-1 windshield cover, MZQ 40 clamp, MZS 40 shock mount, MZW 71 foam windshield, MZA 14 P 48 U battery supply

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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