MKH 8000 Series

The hunt for audio authenticity

For many audio professionals, the mission is singular: to capture sound as purely and authentically as possible. The recording environment is ever-changing: on set, on location, in the streets, or in the wild. Audio recording professionals need microphones that are reliable, durable, and above all, accurate. Unfortunately, instead of flexibility, typical condenser microphone capsules feature a rigid diaphragm that inhibits sonic sensitivity. Instead of durability, typical condenser microphones are susceptible to harsh environments.

This is why Sennheiser created the MKH 8000 series — RF condenser microphones with a remarkably different design that is more reliable, durable, and accurate than traditional AF condenser microphones.

Sennheiser MKH 8030 microphones on a stand in a concert hall.

Capture what other microphones can’t.

With remarkable sonic sensitivity and low noise, MKH 8000 RF condenser microphones give audio professionals the ability to capture pure, detailed sound in nearly any environment — from concert halls to rainforests and everything in between. By bringing RF technology into a wired microphone design, the MKH 8000 series provides unique advantages that can’t be achieved by traditional AF condenser microphones.

Each mic’s symmetrical, push-pull transducer is acoustically open. This remarkable design keeps the sound flow as unrestricted and undistorted as possible, providing a precise polar pattern with minimal off-axis coloration. In combination with a low-tension diaphragm, this design delivers remarkable sensitivity and wide frequency response, so you can capture sound as authentically as possible.

The Secret Behind Sennheiser Sensitivity

MKH 8000 microphones achieve their remarkable sensitivity and extended frequency range with the RF condenser principle. With conventional AF condenser microphones, the diaphragm is stiff and pre-tensioned to a single electrode by the polarization voltage. But with MKH 8000 microphones, a high-frequency (8 MHz) AC current flows permanently through the capsule, and the low-tension diaphragm can freely vibrate from the middle between two symmetrical electrodes.

The RF voltage is amplitude-modulated by the incoming audio. After demodulation, a truly symmetrical audio signal is present at the transformerless, fully floating output. The benefits are numerous, including low self-noise, extended frequency response, minimal non-linear distortions, and the absence of off-axis coloration. Plus, the low-impedance capsule design as well as moisture evaporation by the permanent RF current flow keeps the MKH 8000 perfectly functional in hot and humid as well as extremely cold climates.

Only Sennheiser’s MKH series offers the unique combination of all these features:

Extended bass response: The low-tension diaphragm responds to low frequencies much better than conventional stiff diaphragms, allowing for a wide response range down to the lowest frequencies.

Extended treble range: Up to 50 kHz, which captures sound in fine detail and with exact transient response.

High efficiency and low self-noise: With conventional condenser mics that have stiff diaphragms, the mid frequencies need to be acoustically dampened to get a linearized frequency response, and efficiency is lost. However, the freely vibrating diaphragm of RF condenser microphones does not require such damping. It can directly reproduce all frequencies across the full range of its audio response, resulting in a very natural sound and high sound efficiency.

Clear consistent sound with no off-axis coloration: With conventional condenser mics, frequency response equalization is carried out using acoustical filters, which cause off-axis sound coloration. With MKH 8000 mics, however, no such filters are needed, allowing for a coherent and natural sound image.

Low non-linear distortion — avoids adding new frequency spectrum, thus maintaining sonic clarity.

A legacy you can trust

Based on the renowned dual-capsule technology of Sennheiser’s MKH 800 Twin microphone, the MKH 8000 series includes all the microphones audio professionals need for various recording applications, including the MKH 8020 omnidirectional, MKH 8030 figure-8, MKH 8090 wide cardioid, MKH 8040 cardioid, MKH 8050 super-cardioid, MKH 8060 super-cardioid/lobar, MKH 8070 lobar, and the MKH 8018 stereo shotgun RF condenser microphone. Without taking away from the unique clarity for which MKH RF condenser microphones are famous, the 8000 series has a natural, subtle warmth that benefits broadcast and field recording applications as well as musical and orchestral recordings. Voices will sound rich and detailed; piano, strings and wind instruments will have that special "character", while percussive instruments benefit from a fast attack and dynamic, powerful reproduction.

Sennheiser MKH 8000 series microphone mounted on a stand outdoors.

Durable in harsh environments

Each MKH 8000 microphone features signature Sennheiser build quality with a robust metal housing and rugged construction. With MKH 8000 microphones, you can explore the outdoors and record with confidence. The permanent RF current flow at the microphone capsule naturally evaporates moisture, making it ideal for use in humid environments. Additionally, the capsule's impedance is much lower than that of moisture, giving MKH 8000 microphones inherent durability and moisture resistance. Plus, each microphone’s compact size means easy transport.

MKH 8030 - The hunt for audio authenticity

The MKH 8030 figure-8 microphone allows recording professionals to capture pristine sound over an extended frequency range in nearly any environment. It is ideal for M-S, double M-S, and Blumlein stereo recording options or wherever the highest attenuation of neighboring sound sources is required. This could be a PA system whose sound needs to be eliminated or an adjacent instrument that must not be picked up. Plus, the sound signature of the MKH 8030 has been carefully engineered to blend in harmoniously with the sound of the existing MKH 8000 series microphones.

Sennheiser MKH 8030 microphone in use on stage with blurred background.

MKH 8000 Series