Miniature Microphone

KM 184

State-of-the-art small diaphragm condenser microphone

  • Cardioid pickup pattern without off-axis coloration
  • Very low self-noise
  • High SPL capability
  • Transformerless electronics
  • Octo Set with 8 microphones available

COLORS AND VARIANTS

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Suited for:

Max. SPL
138 dB
S/N Ratio
81 dB
Sensitivity
15 mV/Pa

Uncolored, Transparent, Versatile

The KM 184 is a state-of-the-art small diaphragm condenser microphone with a uniform, frequency-independent cardioid polar pattern. Its very natural, transparent sound with very low self-noise and high SPL capability have made the KM 184 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).

Cardioid

Despite its attractive pricing, the KM 184 offers state-of-the-art Neumann engineering. Its cardioid pattern is frequency-independent; rejection of rearward sound (180°) 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 184’s frequency response is very smooth and linear with a slight treble lift around 9 kHz for added brilliance. Its innovative transformerless head amplifier offers a wide dynamic range of 125 dB and is carefully designed to maintain the capsule’s sonic integrity. The KM 184 has a very low self-noise of only 13 dB-A and can handle high sound pressure levels of up to 138 dB free from distortion. Due to its low impedance output stage, the KM 184 can drive long cable runs of up to 300 meters (1000 feet) without transmission losses.

Applications

The KM 184 is a universal microphone for studio and stage applications. Its transparent sound makes the KM 184 a superb microphone for acoustic instruments, such as piano, percussion, drums, acoustic guitar, upright bass, violin, cello, woodwinds, and brass. The KM 184 can be used for soloists as well as ensembles. Thanks to its superior off-axis behavior, the KM 184 is an excellent microphone for stereo and surround recording with perfect imaging. Although the KM 184 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 184 is visually unobtrusive and well suited to TV and radio applications.

  • Uniform cardioid pattern without off-axis coloration
  • Linear frequency response with a slight treble lift
  • Very low self-noise (13 dB-A)
  • Low impedance output for long cable runs without transmission losses
  • Transformerless circuitry
  • Compact size, visually unobtrusive
Acoustical operating principle Pressure gradient transducer
Directional Pattern Cardioid
Frequency Range 20 Hz ... 20 kHz
Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm 15 mV/Pa ± 1 dB
Rated Impedance 50 ohms
Rated load impedance 1 kohms
Equivalent noise level, CCIR¹⁾ 22 dB
Equivalent noise level, A-weighted¹⁾ 13 dB-A
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%²⁾ 138 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL)¹⁾ 72 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted (re. 94 dB SPL)¹⁾ 81 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

Cardioid KK 184 + KM-A/KM-D

Cardioid KK 184 + KM-A/KM-D Cardioid KK 184 + 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 184

Color nickel

CAT. NO. 008439

KM 184
  • KM 184 Microphone
  • WNS 100 Windscreen
  • SG 21 bk Stand Mount Swivel

KM 184 mt

Color black

CAT. NO. 008389

KM 184 mt
  • KM 184 mt Microphone
  • WNS 100 Windscreen
  • SG 21 bk Stand Mount Swivel

KM 184 Stereo Set

Color nickel

CAT. NO. 008524

KM 184 Stereo Set
  • 2 x KM 184 Microphone
  • 2 x WNS 100 Windscreen
  • 2 x SG 21 bk Stand Mount Swivel

KM 184 mt Stereo Set

Color black

CAT. NO. 008523

KM 184 mt Stereo Set
  • 2 x KM 184 mt Microphone
  • 2 x WNS 100 Windscreen
  • 2 x SG 21 bk Stand Mount Swivel

KM 184 mt Octo Set

Color black

CAT. NO. 008685

KM 184 mt Octo Set
  • 8 x KM 184 mt Microphone
  • 8 x WNS 100 Windscreen
  • 8 x SG 21 bk Stand Mount Swivel
  • 8 x Microphone Pouch

Suited for:

Max. SPL
138 dB
S/N Ratio
81 dB
Sensitivity
15 mV/Pa

Reviews

Luxusstäbchen - Kleinmembran-Kondensatormikrofone im Vergleich, German
Tools 4 Music, 06/2008

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

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

WHAT OTHERS SAY

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Hawaiian Folk Songs for the Family

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

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KM 180 Series Mics in the Project Studio

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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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