Sennheiser MKE 400 Microphone for Video (MKE 400 Kit)
Product Gallery
Product Overview
Sennheiser MKE 400 is a compact shotgun microphone designed for DSLR or mirrorless cameras and smartphones. Compared to the MKE 200 unveiled last year, the MKE 400 has a stronger super cardioid pattern and thus background rejection, which makes it a better option for voice recordings on site.
The MKE 400 comes with a three-step sensitivity switch, allowing the microphone to operate between -23dB and -63dB for added flexibility and control.
Inside the MKE400, the microphone features integrated wind protection and shock absorption. With the included MZH 400 furry windshield, the MKE 400 offers superb wind protection for outdoor recording.
Through 3.5mm TRS and TRRS connections, the MKE 400 can be used with not only cameras but also smartphones that still have the 3.5mm audio jack.
The MKE 400 is also available as a mobile kit that also throws in a Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod and a smartphone clamp by Sennheiser. They are launched with a couple of other mobile kits for Sennheiser's wired and wireless lavalier mics.
Ratings
What we found**
Pros
- Supercardioid polar pattern
- Easy to set up and use
- Excellent sound recording
Cons
- Nothing in particular
What external reviewers found***
External score 78% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Excellent audio quality
- Sleek design
- Clean, directional audio
- Easy to use
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Not for everyone
- Cables are a bit short
- Fuzzy windscreen
Price Comparison
Specifications
Connectivity
Ports
3.5mm
Construction
Colors
Black
Microphone
Pre-polarized Condenser
Dimensions
Size | Height
67 mm
Size | Length
126 mm
Size | Width
37 mm
Weight
93.5 g
Function
Microphone Pickup Pattern
Super-cardioid
Performance
Battery Life
100 hours
Max Sound Level
132 dB
Microphone Frequency Response
50Hz to 20kHz
Power Output
105mW into 16ohms or 75mW into 32ohms
Sensitivity
Switchable -23 / -42 / -63 dBV/Pa
Total Harmonic Distortion
1% @ 50mW
Production
Battery
2x AAA
Debut
2021-04-07
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Launch Comparison
Clear List
3rd-Party Review Videos
External Reviews
digitaltrends[1]
Reviewer score 80%The Sennheiser MKE 400 Mobile Kit is a comprehensive, high-quality, easy to use sound-recording system for your phone. The versatility means it's suitable for handheld, camera-facing recordings, desktop use, outside recordings, and even in noisy environments like the inside of a moving car. It's not cheap, but the price reflects the ability, quality, and welcome simplicity of the overall package.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Easy to use
- Built-in microphone
Cons
- No headphone jack
pcmag[2]
Reviewer score 64%The Sennheiser MKE 400 is capable of providing clean, directional audio. Its low-cut filters and windshield work well together to provide optimal clarity. With only three levels of gain to work with, the best setting likely depends on your proximity to the subject. The similarly priced Rode VideoMic NTG provides greater flexibility.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Clean, directional audio
- Low-cut filter
- Easy to use
Cons
- Fuzzy windscreen
- No headphone jack
techradar[3]
Reviewer score 84%The Sennheiser MKE 400 (2021) is a great shotgun mic for vloggers and filmmakers. It's small and light, so even if you're someone who already carries a lot of equipment around you should be able to find space for it in your bag. The mic is super-cardioid, which means it preferentially records audio from directly in front or behind it, blocking out noise from the side. The gain switch is a helpful way to balance recordings on the fly.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Super-cardioid
- Easy to use
- Very light
Cons
- Cables are a bit short
- Not for everyone
tomsguide[4]
Reviewer score 83%Unlike boom mics, shotgun mics are intended to affix to the top of your camera for easy handling. Sennheiser has kept the MKE 400 appreciably small and light. It's plasticky, but doesn't feel brittle or insubstantial, and I like how the 3.5mm mic output has moved from the rear to the front.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Easy to use
- Great sound quality
Cons
- No headphone jack
User Reviews
Comments
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References
- ^ Sennheiser MKE 400 Mobile Kit review: Pro-grade audio recording for your phone. [digitaltrends]. https://www.digitaltrends.com/gadget-reviews/sennheiser-mke-400-mobile-kit-review/. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
- ^ Sennheiser MKE 400 Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/sennheiser-mke-400. 2021-10-12. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ^ Sennheiser MKE 400 (2021) review. [techradar]. https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sennheiser-mke-400-2021-review. 2021-08-06. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
- ^ Sennheiser MKE 400 review: A phone-friendly mic for content creators. [tomsguide]. https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/sennheiser-mke-400. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
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These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.
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