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Sennheiser MKH 8090
Photo: Sennheiser, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Sennheiser

Sennheiser MKH 8090

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

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Wide cardioid
Sensitivity
−34 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
13 dB(A)
Max SPL
142 dB SPL
Impedance
25 Ω
Rated range
30 – 50k 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 near -34 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.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet
CapsuleRF condenser, symmetrical transducer. "Symmetrical transducer technology ensures extremely low distortion".p. 1
Self-noise13 dB(A)p. 2
Self-noise (CCIR 468)22 dB; also 23 dB, 2026 manual. The manual gives "CCIR-weighted: 23 dB" (page 104).
Signal-to-noise ratio81 dB, re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted. Not stated; computed as 94 - 13.
Rated frequency range30 Hz to 50 kHz. No tolerance given.
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". The current manual leaves out the case (page 14).
Art. no.506294
OutputTransformerless, fully floating balanced
Modular designMicrophone head on the MZX 8000 XLR module; with the MZD 8000 digital module instead it becomes a digital microphone
Operating temperature-10 °C to +60 °Cp. 2
ClimateExtremely weather-proof due to the high-frequency (RF) circuitp. 1
Uses (Sennheiser)Main microphone where less room sound is wanted; support microphone for larger groups of instruments
From the manual
Sensitivity−34 dBV/Pa (20 mV/Pa); also −44 dBV/Pa, with the MZF 8000 II filter module. "-34 dBV/Pa (20 mV/Pa)"; "-44 dBV/Pa (6.3 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. 104
Max SPL142 dB SPL, with and without the MZF 8000 II filter module. "Sound pressure level limit: 142 dB SPL with and without MZF 8000 II filter module". The spec sheet: "Max. SPL 142 dB", with filter module "142 dB"; no THD figure given.
Output impedance25 ohm, rated. "Rated impedance 25 Ω". Not on the spec sheet.
Rated load impedance2000 ohm, minimum. "Min. terminating impedance 2 kΩ".
ConnectorXLR-3 (on the MZX 8000 XLR module). "Connect the XLR-3 socket of the microphone cable ... to the XLR-3 socket of the microphone"; page 70 shows the microphone head and the XLR module.p. 71
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".p. 105
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".p. 104
WindshieldMZW 8000 changes the sound only slightly; attenuates wind noise by approx. 30 dBp. 72
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

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Product page on sennheiser.com

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