Sennheiser ME-66/K6 vs an Audio Technica AT-897- Which one? at DVinfo.net

Craig Phillips · August 8th, 2005, 10:00 AM

I'm trying to decide between a Sennheiser ME-66/K6 vs an Audio Technica AT-897 for my new 100A.\

My primary work is in schools doing somewhat candid videotaping of teachers and needing to shut out extraneous noise.

I also plan to do a school centered documentary.

Any advice regarding either mike appreciated.

Also, will I need an adapter to connect either to the XLR input on the 100A?
Will either need an additional mount? Additional power supply?

thanks.

Mark

Marco Leavitt · August 8th, 2005, 10:39 AM

Between those two, I'd go ME66. The AT897 handles interiors slightly better, but the ME66 attenuates a lot more noise, at least to my ears. It does a better job of picking out vocals too, which is ideal for documentary work. Also, it's modular, and you may find yourself wanting to pick up a couple of extra caps. Still, since you have phantom power, I'd look at the AKG Blueline series. It's about the same price as the ME series and has more caps and accessories. It also sounds way -- WAY -- better than the ME series. Lots of people also like the AT4073 in this price range by the way, but I haven't used it. Based on comments I've read in here though, I'd be inclined to pick it before the ME66.

Craig Phillips · August 8th, 2005, 11:04 AM

Marco:

thanks alot. I think the AKG Blueline is beyond my means right now.
If indeed I get into making the movie I may need to upgrade but still am debating between the other 2 given my budget and limited indoor needs at the moment.

Mark

David Delaney · October 9th, 2006, 12:22 PM

Craig, which did you decide to go with and are you happy with the result?

Peter Jefferson · October 11th, 2006, 04:53 PM

me, i prefer all things sennheiser...

although they run slightly hot (i recomend dropping the mic level down to -50db <in the menu> the clarity and freq response across all bands cannot be denied.

Another is teh Rode NTG1 or NTG 2. Surprisingly clear and FLAT.. great for loud plosives and noisy environments

Barry Gribble · October 11th, 2006, 06:09 PM

I've used the ME-66 for a long while and have been happy with it. I've never done a side-by-side with anything else though.

Dino Santoro · October 31st, 2006, 09:26 AM

I had a sennheiser ME66 and it worked excellent. I'm sure Audio Technica is a good company (I have a set of their headphones) but I would still recommend the sennheiser. It's a standard indie filmmaker boom mic.

Noel Evans · November 7th, 2006, 06:45 AM

Sorry but I personally think the Me66 is just not pro quality in any sense. Go for a AT4073a from AT. Its like toyotas and audis.

Barry Gribble · November 7th, 2006, 07:25 AM

The reason I went with the ME-66 was that it didn't require phantom power, which helps a lot shooting with the XL-1. B&H said that it was their best selling mic.... yeah, but what's the best selling meal in the US, right?

Having just bought a mixer that has phantom, it might be time to upgrade.

Marco Leavitt · November 7th, 2006, 09:22 AM

That's pretty much the only reason to use the ME series. It's the only way to get multiple caps without phantom power. I think it fills this niche really well. That's something that often gets lost in these pro and con debates over "which mic."

Gints Klimanis · November 8th, 2006, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry Gribble

The reason I went with the ME-66 was that it didn't require phantom power, which helps a lot shooting with the XL-1. B&H said that it was their best selling mic.... yeah, but what's the best selling meal in the US, right?

There are many reasons for a microphone to be popular, among them the momentum of tradition. Douglas Spotted Eagle is a self-proclaimed fan of the AT897 , as he says on his VASST audio training DVD. I went with the AT897 but would have gone for the Sennheiser standard without his recommendation.

The best-selling meal in the US is largely based on convenience and perceived value. I hope those aren't the reasons everyone is going for a particular type of microphone.

Chris Barcellos · November 8th, 2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noel Evans

Sorry but I personally think the Me66 is just not pro quality in any sense. Go for a AT4073a from AT. Its like toyotas and audis.

Which one do you consider better ? Toyota or Audi. I am thinking you are saying Audi, but I have had overheating issues in my Audi the late 70's, and never had problems with my Toyotas. So take care with comparisons like that.....

August 8th, 2005, 10:00 AM	#1
Craig Phillips New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 10	Sennheiser ME-66/K6 vs an Audio Technica AT-897- Which one? I'm trying to decide between a Sennheiser ME-66/K6 vs an Audio Technica AT-897 for my new 100A.\ My primary work is in schools doing somewhat candid videotaping of teachers and needing to shut out extraneous noise. I also plan to do a school centered documentary. Any advice regarding either mike appreciated. Also, will I need an adapter to connect either to the XLR input on the 100A? Will either need an additional mount? Additional power supply? thanks. Mark

August 8th, 2005, 11:04 AM	#3
Craig Phillips New Boot Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 10	Thanks but.... Marco: thanks alot. I think the AKG Blueline is beyond my means right now. If indeed I get into making the movie I may need to upgrade but still am debating between the other 2 given my budget and limited indoor needs at the moment. Mark

October 11th, 2006, 06:09 PM	#6
Barry Gribble Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 817	I've used the ME-66 for a long while and have been happy with it. I've never done a side-by-side with anything else though. __________________ Barry Gribble Integral Arts, IMDB

November 7th, 2006, 07:25 AM	#9
Barry Gribble Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 817	The reason I went with the ME-66 was that it didn't require phantom power, which helps a lot shooting with the XL-1. B&H said that it was their best selling mic.... yeah, but what's the best selling meal in the US, right? Having just bought a mixer that has phantom, it might be time to upgrade. __________________ Barry Gribble Integral Arts, IMDB

August 8th, 2005, 10:39 AM	#2
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Between those two, I'd go ME66. The AT897 handles interiors slightly better, but the ME66 attenuates a lot more noise, at least to my ears. It does a better job of picking out vocals too, which is ideal for documentary work. Also, it's modular, and you may find yourself wanting to pick up a couple of extra caps. Still, since you have phantom power, I'd look at the AKG Blueline series. It's about the same price as the ME series and has more caps and accessories. It also sounds way -- WAY -- better than the ME series. Lots of people also like the AT4073 in this price range by the way, but I haven't used it. Based on comments I've read in here though, I'd be inclined to pick it before the ME66.

October 9th, 2006, 12:22 PM	#4
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	Craig, which did you decide to go with and are you happy with the result?

October 11th, 2006, 04:53 PM	#5
Peter Jefferson Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Aus Posts: 3,884	me, i prefer all things sennheiser... although they run slightly hot (i recomend dropping the mic level down to -50db <in the menu> the clarity and freq response across all bands cannot be denied. Another is teh Rode NTG1 or NTG 2. Surprisingly clear and FLAT.. great for loud plosives and noisy environments

October 31st, 2006, 09:26 AM	#7
Dino Santoro Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada Posts: 82	I had a sennheiser ME66 and it worked excellent. I'm sure Audio Technica is a good company (I have a set of their headphones) but I would still recommend the sennheiser. It's a standard indie filmmaker boom mic.

November 7th, 2006, 06:45 AM	#8
Noel Evans Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 157	Sorry but I personally think the Me66 is just not pro quality in any sense. Go for a AT4073a from AT. Its like toyotas and audis.

November 7th, 2006, 09:22 AM	#10
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	That's pretty much the only reason to use the ME series. It's the only way to get multiple caps without phantom power. I think it fills this niche really well. That's something that often gets lost in these pro and con debates over "which mic."