Miniature Microphone

KM 185 mt

State-of-the-art small diaphragm condenser microphone

  • Hypercardioid pickup pattern without off-axis coloration
  • Low self-noise
  • High SPL capability
  • Transformerless electronics

COLORS AND VARIANTS

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Suited for:

Max. SPL
142 dB
S/N Ratio
79 dB
Sensitivity
10 mV/Pa

Uncolored, Transparent, Versatile

The KM 185 is a state-of-the-art small diaphragm condenser microphone with a tight, frequency-independent hypercardioid polar pattern. Its very natural, transparent sound with low self-noise and high SPL capability have made the KM 185 a worldwide stage and studio standard for many applications ranging from classical piano to heavy metal drums.

Dealer Description

Faithful

While many microphones, these days, are designed to add some sonic imprint of their own, there are many applications that require a faithful reproduction of the original acoustic event, without adding or removing anything. That’s where the Neumann Series 180 comes in.

The Neumann Series 180 consists of three members with different pickup patterns: KM 183 (omni), KM 184 (cardioid), and KM 185 (hypercardioid), thus covering the majority of stage and studio applications. Because the Series 180 microphones are non-modular, they are more cost-effective than the modular Series KM A and KM D (which offer a wide range of interchangeable capsule heads for analog and digital output stages).

Hypercardioid

Despite its attractive pricing, the KM 185 offers state-of-the-art Neumann engineering. Its hypercardioid pattern is frequency-independent; rejection of rearward sound (120°) is excellent, even at low frequencies. In practical usage, there is no sound coloration over a wide pickup angle, which is crucial in multi-microphone setups and for precise stereo/surround imaging. The KM 185’s frequency response is very smooth and linear with a slight treble lift around 10 kHz for added brilliance. Its innovative transformerless head amplifier offers a wide dynamic range of 127 dB and is carefully designed to maintain the capsule’s sonic integrity. The KM 185 has a very low self-noise of only 15 dB-A and can handle high sound pressure levels of up to 142 dB free from distortion. Due to its low impedance output stage, the KM 185 can drive long cable runs of up to 300 meters (1000 feet) without transmission losses.

Applications

The KM 185 is a universal microphone for studio and stage applications. Its transparent sound makes the KM 185 a superb microphone for acoustic instruments, such as piano, acoustic guitar, upright bass, violin, cello, wind instruments, drums and percussion. Its high rejection at 120° without off-axis coloration makes the KM 185 a perfect problem solver in demanding applications, such as recording the snare drum while suppressing spill from the hi-hat. Although the KM 185 is not specially optimized for the human voice, it is often used for classical vocals and whenever sonic authenticity is paramount. Due to its small size, the KM 185 is visually unobtrusive and well suited to TV and radio applications.

  • Uniform hypercardioid pattern without off-axis coloration
  • High suppression of unwanted sound
  • Linear frequency response with a slight treble lift
  • Low self-noise (15 dB-A)
  • Low impedance output for long cable runs without transmission losses
  • Compact size, visually unobtrusive
Acoustical operating principle Pressure gradient transducer
Directional Pattern Hypercardioid
Frequency Range 20 Hz ... 20 kHz
Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm 10 mV/Pa ± 1 dB
Rated Impedance 50 ohms
Rated load impedance 1 kohms
Equivalent noise level, CCIR¹⁾ 24 dB
Equivalent noise level, A-weighted¹⁾ 15 dB-A
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%²⁾ 142 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL)¹⁾ 70 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted (re. 94 dB SPL)¹⁾ 79 dB
Maximum output voltage 10 dBu
Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938) 48 V ± 4 V
Current consumption (P48, IEC 61938) 3.2 mA
Matching connector XLR 3 F
Weight approx. 80 g
Diameter 22 mm
Length 107 mm

1) according to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS

2) measured as equivalent el. input signal

Diagrams

Hypercardioid KK 185 + KM-A/KM-D

Hypercardioid KK 185 + KM-A/KM-D Hypercardioid KK 185 + KM-A/KM-D
TLM 49 Set

EA 2124 A mt

Shock Mount

EA 2124 A mt
TLM 49 Set

PS 15

Popscreen

PS 15
TLM 49 Set

WNS 100

Windscreen

WNS 100
TLM 49 Set

WNS 110

Windscreen

WNS 110
TLM 49 Set

WS 100

Windscreen

WS 100
TLM 49 Set

N 248

Power Supply

N 248
TLM 49 Set

MF 2

Table Stand

MF 2
TLM 49 Set

MF 3

Table Stand

MF 3
TLM 49 Set

MF 4

Floor Stand

MF 4
TLM 49 Set

MF 5

Floor Stand

MF 5
TLM 49 Set

MZEF 8060

Vertical Bar

MZEF 8060
TLM 49 Set

MZEF 8120

Vertical Bar

MZEF 8120
TLM 49 Set

STV 4

Stand Extension

STV 4
TLM 49 Set

STV 20

Stand Extension

STV 20
TLM 49 Set

STV 40

Stand Extension

STV 40
TLM 49 Set

STV 60

Stand Extension

STV 60
TLM 49 Set

Z 26 mt

Shock mount

Z 26 mt
TLM 49 Set

MNV 21 mt

Auditorium Hanger

MNV 21 mt
TLM 49 Set

MNV 87

Auditorium Hanger

MNV 87
TLM 49 Set

DS 120

Double Mount

DS 120
TLM 49 Set

SG 21 bk

Stand Mount

SG 21 bk
TLM 49 Set

IC 3 mt

Microphone Cable

IC 3 mt

KM 185

Color nickel

CAT. NO. 008440

KM 185
  • KM 185 Microphone
  • WNS 100 Windscreen
  • SG 21 bk Stand Mount Swivel

KM 185 mt

Color black

CAT. NO. 008441

KM 185 mt
  • KM 185 mt Microphone
  • WNS 100 Windscreen
  • SG 21 bk Stand Mount Swivel

KM 185 Stereo Set

Color nickel

CAT. NO. 008526

KM 185 Stereo Set
  • 2 x KM 185 Microphone
  • 2 x WNS 100 Windscreen
  • 2 x SG 21 bk Stand Mount Swivel

KM 185 mt Stereo Set

Color black

CAT. NO. 008525

KM 185 mt Stereo Set
  • 2 x KM 185 mt Microphone
  • 2 x WNS 100 Windscreen
  • 2 x SG 21 bk Stand Mount Swivel

Suited for:

Max. SPL
142 dB
S/N Ratio
79 dB
Sensitivity
10 mV/Pa

Reviews

Luxusstäbchen - Kleinmembran-Kondensatormikrofone im Vergleich, German
Tools 4 Music, 06/2008
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There may be other microphones available with similar specifications and an even lower cost, but they don´t sound like these, aren´t as versatile as these, and can´t inspire the confidence that they can deliver the same universally good results.
Audio Media 2/2000

This mic has a flexible, open sound and responds well to all sorts of changes. (KM 184)
Akustik Gitarre 1/2000

Nice mics - a pair of very usable tools. Looks like Neumann has reapplied its winning formula - lower the price to the trigger point by taking away a few features but keep the quality up.
Pro Audio Review 1/2000

Luxury tools - Comparision of small-diaphragm condenser microphones, English
Tools 4 Music, 06/2008
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WHAT OTHERS SAY

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet finds "The Way" with Neumann

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet finds "The Way" with Neumann

Download PDF
Hawaiian Folk Songs for the Family

Hawaiian Folk Songs for the Family

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KM 180 Series Mics in the Project Studio

KM 180 Series Mics in the Project Studio

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Wood, Steel, and Voice

Wood, Steel, and Voice

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Awards

WARNING (for California residents only): This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. For more information go to: www.p65warnings.ca.gov.

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