Topic: Sennheiser MKH8040

[cashandkerouac]

my research on high end mics continues and i've been listening to some recordings that used the Sennheiser MKH8040 cardioid mics.  to my ears these mics have sounded the best of anything else that i've checked out.  they're a little outside of my original budget (i was hoping to keep it under $1,500), but the 8040s are extremely pleasing to my ears.  within my original budget i was very much liking the Beyerdynamic ck930, but i think the MKH 8040 may be worth the extra coin.  thoughts? opinions?  pros and cons? i'd appreciate any feedback that anyone could provide.  thanks.   

[ArchivalAudio]

8040's are very nice indeed but they'll run you almost 2x your budget (not quite).
they are very full sounding
give a listen to some Milab VM-44's

I really wanted a pair of the 8040's as well, borrowed some and made some recordings- sounded great!
loved the way the Neumann KM140's sounded too- always have
but really like the natural sound of the Milab's
they will come in under your budget

---Ian

[ero3030]

8040's are very nice indeed but they'll run you almost 2x your budget (not quite).
they are very full sounding
give a listen to some Milab VM-44's

I really wanted a pair of the 8040's as well, borrowed some and made some recordings- sounded great!
loved the way the Neumann KM140's sounded too- always have
but really like the natural sound of the Milab's
they will come in under your budget

---Ian

been checking out the milab shows, really likeing there sound.  would deff check them out.  ed

[cashandkerouac]

8040's are very nice indeed but they'll run you almost 2x your budget (not quite).
they are very full sounding
give a listen to some Milab VM-44's

I really wanted a pair of the 8040's as well, borrowed some and made some recordings- sounded great!
loved the way the Neumann KM140's sounded too- always have
but really like the natural sound of the Milab's
they will come in under your budget

---Ian

been checking out the milab shows, really likeing there sound.  would deff check them out.  ed

agreed.  the Milab VM-44 links do sound very good.  price-wise, however, they seem to be in the same range as the 8040s.  unless i'm missing something the decision to go with one versus the other would come down to preference; cost doesn't seem to be much of a factor.

[OOK]

A pair of milabs can be had new for around 1500.....Try TNJAZZ on here I believe he sells them through his company Purple Dog Studio's ...

OOK

[ArchivalAudio]

8040's are very nice indeed but they'll run you almost 2x your budget (not quite).
they are very full sounding
give a listen to some Milab VM-44's

I really wanted a pair of the 8040's as well, borrowed some and made some recordings- sounded great!
loved the way the Neumann KM140's sounded too- always have
but really like the natural sound of the Milab's
they will come in under your budget

---Ian

been checking out the milab shows, really likeing there sound.  would deff check them out.  ed

agreed.  the Milab VM-44 links do sound very good.  price-wise, however, they seem to be in the same range as the 8040s.  unless i'm missing something the decision to go with one versus the other would come down to preference; cost doesn't seem to be much of a factor.

when I looked into the 8040's a matched pair was about $2450 
may be they have dramatically come down since then
oh herehttp://www.fullcompass.com/product/347622.html
I got my VM44-links at Full compass (Ron V my rep since 1997) for less than $1300 - non matched pair- but also ended up with a loaner matched pair and the frequency test plots of mine are with in the tolerances of a "factory Matched" pair.
there is the full bodied version in the YS by F0cker
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=142313.0

if you actually talk to a rep at full compass you can lower prices than any web pricing they state.
--Ian

[John Willett]

my research on high end mics continues and i've been listening to some recordings that used the Sennheiser MKH8040 cardioid mics.  to my ears these mics have sounded the best of anything else that i've checked out.  they're a little outside of my original budget (i was hoping to keep it under $1,500), but the 8040s are extremely pleasing to my ears.  within my original budget i was very much liking the Beyerdynamic ck930, but i think the MKH 8040 may be worth the extra coin.  thoughts? opinions?  pros and cons? i'd appreciate any feedback that anyone could provide.  thanks.

I love the MKH 8040s and have a stereoset myself - I added to the kit this month by getting the MKH 8020 stereoset as well, together with the floor stand accessories.

I would say well worth the extra.

My old MKH 40s are 26 years old and still going strong and I expect the same or better from the MKH 8000 series.

 

[cashandkerouac]

A pair of milabs can be had new for around 1500.....Try TNJAZZ on here I believe he sells them through his company Purple Dog Studio's ...

OOK

i checked into this and the price has gone up.  the Milabs are now on par with the cost of the Sennheisers.  that being the case, i'll likely go with the Sennheisers.  thanks for your help.

[Todd R]

Of course, everyone around here knows I love Milabs.  And not to push them that much over the Senns, which I've never used but have heard great things about -- but I'm surprised by the comment about the Milab pricing.

A quick internet check shows the VM44 classics at something less than $730 each (says to call for pricing as MAP is in effect):
http://www.midi-classics.com/u/u29179.htm

I'm sure Purple Dog and Full Compass have similar pricing on Milabs.  Compared to street pricing on the Senns that look like about $1200 each.  Seems like a pair of VM44 classics can be had for almost $1000 less than the MKH8040's.

And to reiterate what has already been posted, Chris has a less than one year old pair for sale:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=142313.0

Nothing against the Senns at all, and you should definitely go for them if you want them.  I'm just surprised that the Milabs would cost anything close to the Senns ($1000 Milab list vs $2000 Senn list).

[page]

Just a note, anything European that you are buying new, keep and eye on the exchange rate. Fluxuations over a couple of months can translate to a couple hundred dollars after conversion. I've definately waited it out for my own benefit before, just be careful about it swinging the other way.

[su6oxone]

I've always wondered why so few tapers use the Senn 8040s since they are modular, compact, have a good reputation, and seem to be appropriate for concert taping purposes.

[F.O.Bean]

I've always wondered why so few tapers use the Senn 8040s since they are modular, compact, have a good reputation, and seem to be appropriate for concert taping purposes.

I always say the same about MBHO's

[TNJazz]

A pair of milabs can be had new for around 1500.....Try TNJAZZ on here I believe he sells them through his company Purple Dog Studio's ...

OOK

i checked into this and the price has gone up.  the Milabs are now on par with the cost of the Sennheisers.  that being the case, i'll likely go with the Sennheisers.  thanks for your help.

For an actual *factory matched pair* this is a true statement.  Two single mics used as a pair will almost definitely be within the tolerances expected for a pair and the cost is significantly less.

Dirk

[ArchivalAudio]

My Milabs are NOT factory matched: however when I sent mine back to Sweden for repair via FDW-W that took a long time (3 months) I was sent a loaner "Factory Matched" pair from FDW-Worldwide - the main US milab distributor associated with Full Compass.
to restate: the B&K test plots that came with my pair,  were within the same tolerances of the B&K test plots of the "Factory Matched pair"
My feeling is that Milab has quite good quality control on their capsules.
I know it is always hit or miss when you don't get a factory matched pair.  I do really like the 8040's when I used them- I do feel that over all I like my milabs as they seem more neutral to my ears.
however If I could get a pair of the 8040's for less than $1300 that would be sweet- may be someday and then the "active"(remote) cables for them....at $150 a pop... http://www.fullcompass.com/product/351464.html
a unique and so cool system.
if you got the cash - Do It!
--Ian

[ArchivalAudio]

was wondering if you could "build"  a set by buying caps and  seperate cheaper?

I doubt it
but found just the cap at Sears! :  $1029.95  :  http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM178098328P?sid=IDx20101019x00001a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM178098328
to be fair also at Front End Audio :  Our Price: $1,199.95  :  http://www.frontendaudio.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=9999-04309&click=18920

oh at B&H its:       Price: $999.95 :  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/532813-REG/Sennheiser_MKHC8040_MKHC_8040_Compact_Cardioid_Capsule.html

+  at B&H  : XLR Power Module

Sennheiser - MZX 8000 XLR Module for MKH-8000 Capsules
B&H# SEMZX8000 MFR# MZX8000  :     Price: $289.95

 
the Sennheiser MZX8000 XLR Module, MKHC  at Full Compass:  Our Price: $269.54  http://www.fullcompass.com/product/351578.html

interesting though
--Ian