I would only add to his that the 416 isn't just kept around because
of old habits, but it has a pretty unique 'sound' that people love,
myself included. It's a fantastic sounding mic, and has a warmth and
character that the MKH60 doesn't have, even with it's better specs.
The MKH60 also sounds very nice, but does sound 'different' than a
Message: 416.
Subject: Most people seem to agree that for recording dialog, the 416
still sounds better than an MKH60, which is why it's still made, it's
probably among the most common dialog recording mics used. It's also
a fantastic mono FX gathering microphone. It's really nice on guns.
However, for nature recording, I would probably favor the MKH60
because of it's better specs and lower noise. I've never heard an ME66.
Tim
On Oct 19, 2007, at 11:32 AM, Walter Knapp wrote:
> Posted by: "Paul Jacobson"
> >
> > I've just come across a mkh416 at a reasonable price and was
> > wondering what peoples thought's were on this mic?
> > I'm currently using the K6/ME66 and find that while it is very
> quite,
> > it's a bit thin sounding tonally. Would a 416 be an improvement?
>
> The MKH416 is a older generation of MKH mics, all the other models of
> that generation have long been replaced by the newer generation. The
> replacement for the MKH416 is the MKH60.
>
> The MKH416 is still sold because the movie industry are creatures of
> habit and they keep buying them. Why shouldn't Sennheiser make
> money off
> them?
>
> As far as MKH416 vs ME66 vs MKH60, the specs:
>
> MKH416 - 25mV/Pa sensitivity - 13dBA self noise
>
> ME 66 - 50mV/Pa sensitivity - 10dBA self noise
>
> MKH60 - 40mV/Pa sensitivity - 6dBA self noise
>
> As you can see, the MKH416 specs are not as good as the other two and
> the MKH60 has the best specs, particularly if you count in it's
> frequency response curve, which is pretty flat compared to the
> ME66. In
> addition, the MKH416's polar patterns have a lot of irregularities in
> them compared to the other two. It really is a older generation mic.
>
> The thin sounding of the ME66 is probably because it has poorer low
> frequency pickup compared to the other two.
>
> I'd say if you want to upgrade, look for a MKH60. It's a fantastic
> mic.
>
> Walt
>
>
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