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Sennheiser MKH 8020
Photo: Sennheiser, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Sennheiser

Sennheiser MKH 8020

Small-diaphragm RF condenser, omni (pressure); modular MKH 8000 series (microphone head on the MZX 8000 XLR module)

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

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Omni
Sensitivity
−30 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
10 dB(A)
Max SPL
138 dB SPL
Impedance
25 Ω
Rated range
10 – 60k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the spec sheet, p. 2. Graph "Frequency response" in absolute dB (sensitivity, dBV/Pa: the 0° curve is at about -30 dB at 1 kHz); 20 to 100 kHz shaded on the graph. 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 spec sheet, p. 2. Each curve drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 32 kHz right); taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated. Approximate some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 125 Hz, 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1k Hz.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet
Self-noise10 dB(A). The 2007 instructions add "(DIN 651)".p. 2
Self-noise (CCIR 468)21 dB. The 2007 instructions add "(CCIR 268-3)".
Max SPL138 dB SPL; also 133 dB SPL, with the MZF 8000 II filter module. "Max. SPL"; no THD figure given. The manual calls it "Sound pressure level limit" (page 92).
Rated frequency range10 Hz to 60 kHz; also [30, 50000], 2026 manual; also [10, 70000], 2007 instructions. No tolerance given. The three documents disagree: the 2026 manual says "30 - 50,000 Hz" (page 92), the 2007 instructions "10 Hz – 70 kHz" (page 10).
Poweringphantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938)
Current draw3.3 mA
Finishnon-reflective Nextel coatingp. 1
Supplied accessoriesMZQ 8000 microphone clip; MZW 8000 windshield; transport case. "Delivery includes".
Operating temperature-10 °C to +60 °Cp. 2
Art. no.506287p. 1
Applications (Sennheiser)Main mic for spaced pair and Decca tree, or in an OSS (Jecklin disk) array; organ, grand piano, double bass
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy)
CapsuleRF condenser, symmetrical transducer. "Symmetrical transducer technology ensures extremely low distortion".p. 5
Output impedance25 ohm. Connection data: "25 Ω impedance". Not given in the current sheet or manual.p. 7
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, minimum. "1000 Ω min. terminating impedance".
ConnectorXLR-3 (on the MZX 8000 XLR module)
OutputTransformerless, fully floating balancedp. 5
Modular designMKHC 8020 microphone head (cat. no. 502094) on the MZX 8000 XLR module (502098); the head can be swapped for other 8000-series heads or moved onto extension tubes and remote cablesp. 9
From the manual
Sensitivity−30 dBV/Pa (31 mV/Pa); also −40 dBV/Pa, with the MZF 8000 II filter module. "-30 dBV/Pa (31 mV/Pa) without MZF 8000 II filter module"; "-40 dBV/Pa (10 mV/Pa) with MZF 8000 II filter module" (that module has a -10 dB attenuation switch, page 109). The spec sheet gives the same.p. 92
Weight55 g, approx., with the MZX 8000 XLR module; also 25, microphone head alone. "approx. 25 g", "approx. 55 g with XLR-Modul MZX 8000".
Dimensions19 × 75 mm, approx., with the MZX 8000 XLR module; also [19, 41], microphone head alone. Diameter × length: "approx. 19 mm"; "approx. 41 mm", "approx. 75 mm with XLR-Modul MZX 8000".
WindshieldMZW 8000 changes the sound only slightly; attenuates wind noise by approx. 30 dBp. 48
Stereo setMKH 8020 Stereoset (art. no. 506288): matched pair, sensitivity difference < 1 dB, frequency response difference < 1 dBp. 16
MZF 8000 II filter module (optional)Low-cut -3 dB at 16 Hz; switchable roll-off -3 dB at 70 Hz; switchable -10 dB attenuation; adds 1 dB(A) noise (4 dB(A) with the attenuation)p. 109

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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