- Cardioid Polar Pattern.
- Transformerless circuitry.
- Trouble-free operation even with unbalanced equipment.
- Balanced output.
- phantom powered (48V).
Product description
-------------------
The KM 184 microphone is the successors of the well-proven KM
84, which has been used since the seventies worldwide with great
success. The Neumann KM 184 Small Diaphram Cardioid Microphone
has become the classic high-quality miniature microphone. The
pressure gradient transducer used in the KM 184 features very
smooth frequency response not only for the 0 axis, but also for
lateral (off-axis) sound incidence. In typical usage, there is no
coloration of sound over a wide pickup angle. Although the KM 184
has the same as the KM 84, the microphone differs
slightly on the 0 frequency response: The KM 184 has a gentle
rise at about 9 kHz (which brings out the sizzle in cymbals), a
characteristic that was introduced very successfully with the KM
140. The result is a tonal balance that is fresher and livelier
when compared to the KM 84 with its flat frequency response in
that band. This difference was achieved with just a slight change
of the 's rear opening, and is not due to resonances. With
the same transformerless circuitry as is used in the KM 100
system, the KM 184 has excellent technical specifications.
Compared to the KM 84 the dynamic range of the KM 184 increased
by 24 dB mainly through the reduction of self-noise level to only
22 dB (CCIR) and an increased sound pressure handling capability
of up to 138 dB. The KM 184 mic will operate without any
problems, even if the input of following equipment happens to be
unbalanced, for example as in some DAT recorders. The output is
balanced and phantom (48V) powered. The KM 184 is a good
economical alternative choice for users looking for a
high-quality miniature microphone. You don't have to give up the
electroacoustic features you expect from a Neumann microphone!
From the Manufacturer
---------------------
The "Series 180" consists of three compact miniature microphones
with patterns that satisfy the demands of all common studio
applications.
Because of its optimized mechanical construction and conscious
omission of modularity, which is unnecessary in many cases, the
"Series 180" is predestined for economy-minded production and
home studios.
The KM 183 omnidirectional and KM 185 hypercardioid microphones
are based on the tremendously successful KM 184 cardioid
microphone, which has become a standard within the global studio
community in just a very short time. All "Series 180" microphones
are available with either matte black or nickel finish.
They come in a folding box with a windshield and two stand
s that permit connection to the microphone body, or the
XLR-connector.
Acoustic features
The KM 183 and KM 184 microphones are the successors of the well
proven KM 83 and KM 84, which have been used since the seventies
worldwide with great success. The KM 185 rounds out the series
with a hypercardioid microphone.
The KM 183 is a pressure transducer with a boost of
approximately 7 dB at 10 kHz in the free field. In the diffuse
sound field it has a flat frequency response. The pressure
gradient transducers KM 184 and KM 185 feature very smooth
frequency responses not only for the 0° axis, but also for
lateral (off-axis) sound incidence. In typical usage, there is no
coloration of sound over a wide pickup angle.
Although the KM 184 has the same as the KM 84, the
microphone differs slightly on the 0° frequency response: The KM
184 has a gentle rise at about 9 kHz, a characteristic that was
introduced very successfully with the KM 140. The result is a
tonal balance that is fresher and livelier when compared to the
KM 84 with its flat frequency response in that band.
This difference was achieved with just a slight change of the
s rear opening, and is not due to resonances.
The KM 185 with its hypercardioid characteristic features
attenuation of sound incidence from the side or rear of about 10
dB, with minimum sensitivity at an angle of 120°.
Electrical features
The "Series 180" microphones have the same transformerless
circuitry as is used in the KM 100 system, resulting in excellent
technical specifications:
Compared to the KM 84 the dynamic range of the KM 184 increased
by 24 dB mainly through the reduction of self-noise level to only
22 dB (CCIR) and an increased sound pressure handlingcapability
of up to 138 dB.
The microphones operate without any problems, even if the input
of following equipment happens to be unbalanced, for example as
in some DAT recorders.
The output of the "Series 180", as in all Neumann microphones,
is balanced and phantom (48V) powered.
Economy
The "Series 180" is a good choice for all users who look for a
high-quality miniature microphone, but do not need the complex,
modular KM 100 system, which continues to be part of the Neumann
product range.
The mechanical construction was simplified, for example,
and output stage cannot be separated from each other. For this
reason the "Series 180" is an economical alternative without
giving up the electroacoustic features the users expect from
Neumann microphones.
Applications
Their slender shapes and the transmission characteristics
described below make the "Series 180" especially suitable for a
very wide range of tasks in the radio and television sector.
* For universal use, especially for situations when it
is necessary to attenuate off-axis sound (mainly from the rear)
from other nearby instruments.
* As XY and ORTF stereo pair
* Announcers mic for broadcasting
* Spot mic, overhead
* Close miking of: strings, wind instruments, percussion, piano,
Leslie speakers, guitar amps Specifications:
* Acoustical operating principle: Pressure/Pressure gradient
transducer
* Directional pattern: omnidirectional/cardioid/hypercardioid*
* Frequency range: 20 Hz...20 kHz
* Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm: 12/15/10 mV/Pa*
* Rated impedance: 50 ohms
* Rated load impedance: 1000 ohms
* Equivalent SPL CCIR 468-3: 24/22/24 dB*
* Equivalent SPL DIN/IEC 651: 13/13/15 dB-A*
* S/N ratio CCIR 468-3: 77/72/70 dB*
* S/N ratio DIN/IEC 651: 81/81/79 dB*
* Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%: 140/138/142 dB*
* Maximum output voltage: 10 dBu
* Dynamic range of the microphone amplifier DIN/IEC 651:
124/122/124 dB*
* Supply voltage: 48 V ± 4 V
* Current consumption: 2.3 mA
* Matching connectors: XLR 3F
* Weight: approx. 80 g
* Diameter: 22 mm
* Length: 107 mm *KM 183 / KM 184 / KM 185