With the recent introduction of the MKE 200, Sennheiser has grown its MKE series of camera-mounted shotgun mics to four models, each with its own distinct purpose, ranging from smartphone applications on up to full-size broadcast video cameras. Here’s a quick look at all of them. The “where to buy” links in the left column point to our affiliate partners. Be sure to see the comparison chart and official product page links at the bottom of this page.
This is an inexpensive, lightweight, ultra-compact directional microphone which does not require a battery. There are no switches to configure. Two removable locking cables are included (tip-ring-sleeve and tip-ring-ring-sleeve) for mounting on a camera or a smartphone. A furry windshield is included as well. The shock mounting is located internally, within the plastic and metal mesh housing.
A popular, low-cost solution for improving the audio recording quality of small-form factor cameras, camcorders and DSLRs, where a larger pro mic such as the MKE 600 would be physically impractical or too obtrusive. It is a battery-operated directional mono mic with an external shock mount, has switches for sensitivity and wind noise, and it includes a coiled cable and foam windshield (which can be upgraded to furry). It is compatible with any camera that has a 3.5mm external microphone input.
This is a compact dual-shotgun mic ideally suited for shooters who wish to record two channels of audio as a stereo image from a camera-mounted mic. The MKE 440 provides a vast improvement over the tiny built-in stereo mic elements found on many camcorders and DSLRs, thanks to its relatively larger condenser capsules, built-in shock mounting, low-cut filter and three switchable sensitivity settings. Powered by two AAA batteries, it provides a balanced stereo ambiance while rejecting off-axis noise. A furry windshield is available as an optional accessory.
A high-quality shotgun mic intended for professional video and television production. It has rich sound, excellent low-frequency reproduction, and high directivity with little interference from lateral noise. The MKE 600 is best suited for larger professional broadcast video camcorders or standalone use, and as such it may be inappropriate for smaller cameras by virtue of its size. It is perfect, however, for EFP / ENG and studio recording purposes. The included shock-mount / camera shoe is removable and the foam windcreen can be replaced by an optional furry. Power is supplied by a single AA battery or through a camcorder’s phantom power output, if it is so equipped. It has a low-cut filter switch and a low-battery alert. You provide the XLR cable in a length that best suits your particular needs.
Comparison Chart
| model: | MKE 200 | MKE 400 | MKE 440 | MKE 600 |
| cost: | $100 | $200 | $350 | $330 |
| pattern: | super cardiod | lobar / super card. | stereo super card. | lobar / super card. |
| freq. resp.: | 40 – 20,000 Hz | 40 – 20,000 Hz | 50 – 20,000 Hz | 40 – 20,000 Hz |
| low-cut filter: | no | yes | yes | yes |
| sensitivity switch: | no | normal / high | -20 dB / 0 dB / +20 dB | no |
| sensitivity 1 KHz: | 33 dB V/Pa | 8 / 20 dB V/PA | 23 / 42 / 63 dB V/PA | 21 / 19 dB V/Pa |
| max SPL 1 KHz: | 120 dB | 126 / 118 dB | 132 dB | 132 / 126 dB |
| noise SPL (A): | 20 dB (A) | 21 / 40 dB (A) | 16 / 21 / 40 dB (A) | 15 / 16 dB (A) |
| connect: | 3.5mm TRS mini | 3.5mm TRS mini | 3.5mm TRS mini | XLR |
| length x dia.: | 69mm x 39mm | 130mm x 21mm | 128mm x 106mm | 256mm x 20mm |
| weight: | 48g | 60g (w/o batt.) | 165g (w/o batts.) | 128g (w/o batt.) |
| batt type: | none | 1 x AAA | 2 x AAA | 1 x AA (or phantom) |
| endurance: | unlimited | appx. 300 hrs. | appx. 100 hrs. | appx. 150 hrs. (on batt.) |
| shock mount: | internal | external | internal | removeable |
| windshield: | included (furry) | included (foam)* | optional (furry)** | included (foam)*** |
* MKE 400 optional furry: MZW 400 (kit with XLR adapter)
** MKE 440 optional furry: MZH 440
*** MKE 600 optional furry: MZH 600
Features Common to Sennheiser MKE series Shotgun Mics
The transducer type in all microphones of the Sennheiser MKE series is a condenser capsule. All of them include a camera shoe mount with a 1/4-20 threaded insert, and some form of shock mounting. All include a removable windshield except the MKE 440 (that one is available as an optional accessory). All of them have metal mesh housings surrounding the mic capsule. All include coiled connection cables except for the MKE 600; standard XLR cables for this mic must be purchased separately. All Sennheiser MKE series microphones are made in Germany.
To learn more…
For more information about each of these mics, be sure to visit the official Sennheiser product pages at the links below (these come from the company’s USA presence).
