Sennheiser MKH 8040, Microphone Cardioid

The cardioid microphone Sennheiser MKH 8040 is suitable for almost any application. It considerably reduces pick-up of a reverberant room. This is very helpful in rooms with poor acoustics or when disturbing sounds impinge mainly from the rear.


Features
The technical specifications for the new 8040 differ slightly from its MKH40 forebear. For example, the frequency response of the new model is claimed to extend between 35Hz and 50kHz, whereas the older, larger model ranges from 40Hz to 20kHz. The 8040's sensitivity is also 2dB less than the MKH40, at 20mV/Pa, and the self-noise is 1dB higher, at 13dBA, but the maximum SPL has been increased, usefully, to 142dB (for one percent distortion). It is worth noting, though, that the MKH40 is equipped with both a 10dB pad switch and a bass-cut filter, neither of which is available on the 8040.

The 8040's polar pattern is well controlled, being a near-perfect cardioid up to 4kHz or so. Above that it develops a small rear tail and narrows across the front. Neither are unusual, but the MKH40's published polar response is a little tidier at the high end. Turning to the frequency response, the quality-control plots for MKH40s always looked like they had been drawn with a ruler! In contrast, the 8040 exhibits a gentle 2dB presence lift extending between about 5kHz and 20kHz, and there is roughly 1dB of 'bass bloom' from 400Hz down to about 60Hz. Below that, the bass roll-off is very smooth, at only about 3dB per octave.

Features

• cardioid pick-up pattern
• modular design
• wide frequency response 30 to 50.000 Hz
• symmetrical transducer with 2 backplates providing extremly low distortion
• extremly low inherent self-noise
• accurate directional pattern
• non reflective Nextel coating
• ideal as a spot microphone and for surround recordings

Delivery Includes

• Microphone head MKHC 8040
• XLR module MZX 8000
• Microphone clip MZQ 8000
• Windshield MZW 8000
• User manual
• Aluminium transport case

Technical Data

 

Transducer principle (Microphone)	RF condenser microphone
Pick-up pattern	cardioid
Frequency response	30 - 50000 Hz
Sensitivity in free field, no load (1kHz)	20 mV/Pa (-34 dBV/Pa)
Nominal impedance	25 Ohm
Min. terminating impedance	1000 Ohm
Maximum sound pressure level (passiv)	142 dB SPL
Equivalent noise level	13 dB
Equivalent noise level weighted as per CCIR 468-3	22 dB
Audio output	XLR-3M balanced, transformerless, floating
Phantom powering	48 V +/- 4 V
Current consumption	3,3 mA
Dimensions	diameter 19 mm, lenght 74 mm (41 mm excluding XLR module)
Weight	55 g (25 g excluding XLR module)

For more information, please visit this products webpage.