Neumann KM 185 Stereo Set Black

Availability: Backorder
Expected: Sunday, March 31

SKU
416070
  • The Neumann KM 185 Stereo Set Black, a state-of-the-art small diaphragm condenser microphone with a tight, frequency-independent hyper-cardioid polar pattern.
  • Exceptional clarity, minimal self-noise, and impressive SPL handling ability.
  • Incredibly versatile, excelling in both studio and live settings.
  • An ideal choice for capturing the rich tonality of acoustic instruments, including piano, acoustic guitar, upright bass, and much more.
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Neumann KM 185 Stereo Set Black


Uncoloured, Transparent, Versatile

The KM 185 is a state-of-the-art small diaphragm condenser microphone, renowned for its precise hyper-cardioid polar pattern that remains consistent across the entire frequency range. Its exceptional clarity, ultra-low self-noise, and remarkable SPL handling capabilities have made it a go-to microphone for a wide variety of applications, ranging from the nuanced tonality of a grand piano to the thunderous impact of heavy metal drumming, both in the studio and on stage. Its versatility and reliability have made it a ubiquitous choice among audio professionals around the world.

 

Faithful

While many microphones on the market today are designed to impart a particular tonal character to recordings, there are certain situations where a completely accurate and uncoloured representation of the original sound source is crucial. This is precisely where the Neumann Series 180 microphones excel.

Featuring three distinct models, each with a unique polar pattern - the omnidirectional KM 183, cardioid KM 184, and hyper-cardioid KM 185 - the Neumann Series 180 is an incredibly versatile microphone collection that's perfectly suited to a wide range of live and studio applications. By remaining non-modular, the Series 180 microphones offer a cost-effective alternative to the more modular Series KM A and KM D microphones, which offer interchangeable capsule heads for use in both analog and digital output stages.

 

Hyper-Cardioid

Boasting state-of-the-art Neumann engineering, the KM 185 condenser microphone offers a frequency-independent hyper-cardioid pattern that delivers exceptional rearward sound rejection, even at low frequencies. This feature makes it an ideal choice for multi-microphone setups and precise stereo or surround sound imaging, as there is no sound colouration across a wide pickup angle.

Thanks to its innovative transformerless head amplifier, the KM 185 exhibits a remarkably smooth and linear frequency response, with a subtle treble boost at around 10 kHz for added brilliance. This head amplifier also provides an impressive dynamic range of up to 127 dB while carefully preserving the capsule's inherent sonic qualities. Furthermore, the KM 185 boasts an ultra-low self-noise level of just 15 dB-A, allowing it to capture the most delicate nuances with precision. Its ability to handle high sound pressure levels up to 142 dB, without distortion, makes it ideal for use on loud sources like drums and percussion. With a low-impedance output stage, the KM 185 is capable of driving long cable runs up to 300 meters (1000 feet) without signal degradation or loss.

 

Applications

The KM 185 is an incredibly versatile microphone that excels in both studio and live settings. Its exceptional clarity and transparency make it an ideal choice for capturing the natural tonality of a wide range of acoustic instruments, from the nuanced timbre of a grand piano to the complex harmonic overtones of wind instruments. Drums and percussion also benefit from the KM 185's pristine sound quality, as its hyper-cardioid pattern provides excellent rearward sound rejection and reduces unwanted spill from nearby sources.

One of the most notable features of the KM 185 is its 120° rejection angle, which remains free of off-axis colouration, even at low frequencies. This attribute makes it an invaluable tool for challenging recording scenarios, such as miking a snare drum while minimizing crosstalk from nearby hi-hat microphones. Although it's not specifically tailored for vocal recording, the KM 185's sonic accuracy has made it a popular choice for capturing classical vocal performances and other scenarios where authenticity is paramount.

The KM 185's compact size and unobtrusive appearance make it an excellent option for broadcast applications, such as television and radio productions, where a discreet microphone that doesn't interfere with the visual aesthetics is important.

 

Key Benefits

  • Uniform hyper-cardioid pattern without off-axis colouration
  • High suppression of unwanted sound
  • Linear frequency response with a slight treble lift
  • Low self-noise (15 dB-A)
  • Low impedance output for long cable runs without transmission losses
  • Compact size, visually unobtrusive
Specification
Specifications
  • Acoustical operating principle: Pressure gradient transducer
  • Directional Pattern: Hypercardioid
  • Frequency Range: 20 Hz ... 20 kHz
  • Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm: 10 mV/Pa ± 1 dB
  • Rated Impedance: 50 ohms
  • Rated Load Impedance: 1 kohms
  • Equivalent Noise Level, CCIR 1*: 24 dB
  • Equivalent Noise Level, A-weighted 2*: 15 dB-A
  • Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% 3*: 142 dB
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL) 4*: 70 dB
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio, A-weighted (re. 94 dB SPL) 5*: 79 dB
  • Maximum Output Voltage: 10 dBu
  • Supply Voltage (P48, IEC 61938): 48 V ± 4 V
  • Current Consumption (P48, IEC 61938): 3.2 mA
  • Matching Connector: XLR 3 F
  • Weight: Approx. 80 g
  • Diameter: 22 mm
  • Length: 107 mm
  1. According to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS
  2. According to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS
  3. Measured as equivalent el. input signal
  4. According to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS
  5. According to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS