Topic: Neumann SKM-140 vs. Sennhesier MKH-8040ST? drop opinions here ~~>

[rigpimp]

I have been considering the 8040's for a while and am talking to a friend about borrowing a pair for a gig.  I have not listened to them a lot but am beyond curious about how they might stack up against the versatility and sound quality of my SKM-140 kit.  It would be required for me to get the extension cables since in the 4 or 5 years I have had the 140's the only time I ever unscrewed the active cables was when I switched from 3m cables to 5m cables.

Any opinions?  My main application is on-stage close mic'ing of acoustic stringbands but I occasionally record back by the board and try to work magic farther away from where the source of magic lies.

I will head over to the LMA and do a search there for some listening. 

[cashandkerouac]

wow, tough decision for sure.  you really can't go wrong with either the 140s or the 8040s.  both are awesome.  i run the 8040s and am extremely happy with them.  if budget is a variable in the equation, that tips the scales toward the 8040s.  budget aside, it really comes down to which mic is more pleasing to your ear.   

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my 2 cents:

"Is the coloration of the neumanns objectionable for what you're recording" is the short question I'd ask. I find the 8040s to be fairly bass heavy but after EQ (to the order of -5db) have a nice coloration. I find the neumann color to either work really well with a musical genre or not at all. The reason I'd ask that first question is I find it much easier to correct EQ/tonal balance issues compared to coloration issues, so if you like the coloration, get those since you can tweak the balance later. If you're taping a lot of stuff where it doesn't fit as well, then get the Senns and just EQ when necessary.

[jazzgtrl4]

I run 140/50's and have for years and love them.. Talk to DatPat he runs the 8050's (hypers) and they are really nice we have done a number of  tapes with them and everything has turned out great!

[newplanet7]

Can't go wrong with either IMO. It's like asking whether you want a million dollars in 100's or 50's. Both will bring a pleasurable result.
Love them both. I do think the 140's pull down less bass but sound more natural.
HOWEVER, Neumann has the newer series out, both analog and digital mics KK series I think?, and I have heard zero from them.
If you were going with the Neumanns, I'd say check into those.
ANOTHER THING, is you will probably be able to find a nice pair of 140's used, and the 8040's prob not.
Looking at it I thought the 8040's were more expensive but I am wrong.
Anyone know what the REMOTE cables go for $ wise. Remember they are NOT actives.

Personally, I'd go with the 8040's.

[F.O.Bean]

Can't go wrong with either IMO. It's like asking whether you want a million dollars in 100's or 50's. Both will bring a pleasurable result.
Love them both. I do think the 140's pull down less bass but sound more natural.
HOWEVER, Neumann has the newer series out, both analog and digital mics KK series I think?, and I have heard zero from them.
If you were going with the Neumanns, I'd say check into those.
ANOTHER THING, is you will probably be able to find a nice pair of 140's used, and the 8040's prob not.
Looking at it I thought the 8040's were more expensive but I am wrong.
Anyone know what the REMOTE cables go for $ wise. Remember they are NOT actives.

Personally, I'd go with the 8040's.

140's are EVERYWHERE. Try something new and go with the 8040/8050's

[H₂O]

Or even newer like the neumann KM-A series - with the active cables!

[newplanet7]

Or even newer like the neumann KM-A series - with the active cables!

Exactly what I referenced above.

[F.O.Bean]

I had NO CLUE that Neumann came out with a new line How long has it been out?

[John Willett]

I had NO CLUE that Neumann came out with a new line How long has it been out?

About 6 years.

The KK series of capsules with the KM-D module came out in 2006 and I did my first recording with the KM 183-D in late 2006.

The KM-A analogue module, which used the same capsules came out in 2009.

Though, whle we are talking top end SDC cardioids, the Gefell M300 and SMS2000 series should be added to the list IMHO.

[cashandkerouac]

Anyone know what the REMOTE cables go for $ wise. Remember they are NOT actives.

Personally, I'd go with the 8040's.

the Sennheiser MZL8003 cable is $119.95 at B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/532993-REG/Sennheiser_MZL8003_MZL_8003_Remote_Cable.html).  you need two of these to run a stereo pair.  it's a pricey item, but highly recommended if you want to 

if  is not your thing then don't worry about the remote cable.  the whole MKH8040 assembly (head and XLR adapter) is still quite small, so there's no need to break it up with a remote cable if you don't have to. 

[rigpimp]

+T for the replies.  I just spoke with my buddy and he is sending me out a pair of 8040's.  He told me the EXACT same thing about the EQ blah blah that folks mentioned above and in pm's. 

I am going to do two A:B comps.  One this coming weekend indoors (Henhouse Prowlers, Cape Girardeau, MO) and some 6/29-30 at Bloom Heavy outdoors.

Initially I was thinking of a pair to REPLACE my 140's.  If I were to roll the dice today I would roll them for a whole new set of mics and KEEP the 140's, so that might be what I do.  If I picked up a second pair the cost of the 8040's + cables would be about as far as I would go. 

Stay tuned.

[rigpimp]

the Sennheiser MZL8003 cable is $119.95 at B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/532993-REG/Sennheiser_MZL8003_MZL_8003_Remote_Cable.html).  you need two of these to run a stereo pair.  it's a pricey item, but highly recommended if you want to 

Still not as pricey as what I am using:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=lc3+ka%2F10&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ta

[newplanet7]

+T for the replies.  I just spoke with my buddy and he is sending me out a pair of 8040's.  He told me the EXACT same thing about the EQ blah blah that folks mentioned above and in pm's. 

I am going to do two A:B comps.  One this coming weekend indoors (Henhouse Prowlers, Cape Girardeau, MO) and some 6/29-30 at Bloom Heavy outdoors.

Initially I was thinking of a pair to REPLACE my 140's.  If I were to roll the dice today I would roll them for a whole new set of mics and KEEP the 140's, so that might be what I do.  If I picked up a second pair the cost of the 8040's + cables would be about as far as I would go. 

Stay tuned.

Then go for the 8050's or 8020's.
You have a pair of smoking cards already.

[cashandkerouac]

+T for the replies.  I just spoke with my buddy and he is sending me out a pair of 8040's.  He told me the EXACT same thing about the EQ blah blah that folks mentioned above and in pm's. 

I am going to do two A:B comps.  One this coming weekend indoors (Henhouse Prowlers, Cape Girardeau, MO) and some 6/29-30 at Bloom Heavy outdoors.

Initially I was thinking of a pair to REPLACE my 140's.  If I were to roll the dice today I would roll them for a whole new set of mics and KEEP the 140's, so that might be what I do.  If I picked up a second pair the cost of the 8040's + cables would be about as far as I would go. 

Stay tuned.

Then go for the 8050's or 8020's.
You have a pair of smoking cards already.

i agree. in addition to my 8040s i have the 8050s and they're wonderful.  the 8050s come in real handy when you're stuck in the back of a venue or if you want to (or need to) minimize the impact of crowd noise on the sides.  also, the 8050s still pull plenty of bottom end, so you're really not sacrificing much (if any) with the supercards.