Walt,
I'm distressed by your email of December 23rd. The issue in this case is
not just how good the Shure 183 is, but also the price/performance ratio.
The Sennheiser MKH20 is at the pinnacle of performance of microphones, along
with the Schoeps MK2. But most of us have to consider the price, too. It
just so happens that BH photo video sells both Sennheiser and Shure, so we
can compare prices:
Shure WL183 Price : $ 88.50
Shure MX183 Price : $ 167.50
Sennheiser MKH20 Price : $ 1,166.50
and
Marantz PMD670 Price : $ 689.95
So for the price of one MKH20 (with which I can do nothing by itself), I can
buy a whole recording kit and go nature recording. And still have enough
cash left over to buy gas and food.
you said that the 183 has
> a much higher self noise than the MKH20
True, but consider the price.
> the 183 series loses the low end below 200hz
Not true. The microphone itself is flat to below 20 Hz. Whatever the
capsule is used with changes the low end response, but the BP version is
actually slightly (0.3 dB) up at 20 Hz. The MX183 version is 1 dB down at 50
Hz.
> the 183 emphasizes frequencies above 2khz with a peak of 5dB above at
10khz.
Again, an exaggeration. But what's more important is that one needs to
consider the effect of the diffuse-field response vs. the free-field
response. And if you use the microphone in a boundary effect device, as you
do, then you need to consider the pressure response of the device, which is
not specified by Sennheiser but which certainly must roll off at high
frequencies if the on-axis response is flat. The MX183, being physically
smaller than an MKH, has more closely matched on-axis response, pressure
response, and diffuse field response. Under typical recording conditions it
may well sound flatter on the high end than an MKH20.
> A Sennheiser ME mic can be had for not much different price
Sennheiser MKE2-60/K6P Price : $ 463.95
> most of those in the MicDIY group, used to things like mics made from the
noisy panasonic capsules...
But we'd like to become used to caviar. Our latest generation of cheap
do-it-yourself microphones are at least 10 dB better.
There's one more thing to consider. The use of a very inexpensive
microphone like the Panasonic WM-61 allows for the employment of "disposable
microphone" recording techniques. You can put the microphone on or near the
water without concern of damaging it, because you can buy a new one for
$1.83. I'm now recording in and around salt water, and I wouldn't dream of
bringing a commercial microphone into that environment.
Respectfully yours,
Eric
|