Topic: Are KM 184s a decent buy in '26?

[HighStandDave]

Curious about maybe stepping up from my sE Electronics sE8s to some KM 184s. My main recorder these days is a Zoom F3, and I don't plan on replacing it. I don't run multiple mics and I don't want nor need some Sound Devices thing. I like my F3 a lot! How do we feel about 184s into the F3? I've heard that 184s are picky about having good preamps. People say the F3 has "good" preamps, but what does that really mean here? Would I benefit from having some inline preamp between the mics and the F3?

Also, I was reading another forum's chat, from 17 years ago, about how the 184s are allegedly extremely bad at picking up radio and cellular interference? One dude said he was picking up Mexican radio stations with his in his studio in Anaheim...?

Kinda wanna hear some thoughts. Not really interested in paying double for KM 140s, since I don't care about modular components. I know some folks swear up and down that the 140s are some God-tier mic and the 184s are total garbage, but I wanna hear some modern opinions from tapers, not studio nerds with too much time and money. I've always considered these pretty great mics, but I'd like to hear how people feel about their low end, their off-axis response, durability, things to watch out for, ways they might suck, that sort of thing.

Thank you guys!

[Pieteker]

I taped a show last week using my KM140s into an F3. You can listen here: https://archive.org/details/Glitterpaard2026-01-30_km140

[goodcooker]

The 184s are a solid choice if you only need cardioid pattern. They sound great and very similar (although not exactly the same) as the AK40 capsule. The differences are insignificant IMO especially considering the price difference.

The thing I liked the most about running Neumann mics (I've had two different pairs of the KM100 over the years) is that they sound good in multiple locations - inside, outside, up front, FOB sweet spot, back of the room. Some other mics I've had were not as forgiving about location or being off center which is unavoidable sometimes doing what we do.

[GLouie]

My experience is that the early model KM184s definitely were cell phone sensitive, making them nearly unusable if anyone with a GSM phone would be within 50 feet. Later models were not a problem. There were definite changes to the internals over the years, but at trade shows they would never admit to any problem with the early models nor any retrofit to help, just vague suggestions to send them in for service.

The 184s are good mics if you like the sound. I would not say they are magic. They do not sound like a KM84. Neumann has always insisted the KM140 and KM184 use the exact same capsule design, but many people feel they still sound different. I personally ended up with KM140s as they are shorter and make it easier to set up in ORTF, as well as having -10dB pads.

I would be wary of buying any early generation due to the cell phone interference, but I can't pinpoint when it would be safe.

[Thelonious]

I have no experience with the SE8s, but the KM184s are definitely solid mics. I tend to use MK22s more often because I find the slightly more open pattern preferable in many situations but no issues at all with the KM184s.

https://samply.app/p/tgv6DWzEMn2gFCvS6VVF?si=MwM4exTQgoUbSFONGIz3QqxORdl2

I recorded this show stage lip with KM184s straight into to my Zoom F3. I did add a small amount of bass in post but I think it still provides a good representation of how the mics sound with the Zoom F3.

As ero3030 mentioned, it is best to listen to different recordings, ideally in similar situations to the ones you encounter most frequently, as once you get into quality mics (which the 184s most certainly are) the differences are really down to preference.

Enjoy mic shopping!

[LeChti]

I agree with what's been said above...I think the interferences are no longer an issue, and that KM184s are great mics in this price range.
Here are a couple of sample I recorded recently with them : https://transfer.it/t/ZvfW6p4BnZbR

The Epica/Amaranthe/Charlotte Wessels songs were recorded on a MixPre6-II. I also recorded with Schoeps MK4, and the same songs are included in the download for comparison.
"05 - We Win Together, I'm Losing Alone" is a song from the French band The Inspector Cluzo, recorded more or less in the same conditions as the ones before (same venue, from balcony, right side)
The Grandbrothers song is their most famous "Bloodflow", recorded in another venue, but once again from balcony, left side.

The Inspector Cluzo and Grandbrothers songs were recorded on a Tascam FR-AV2.

[HighStandDave]

Welp, I got a refurbished pair. Haven't hit a show with them yet, but I can't wait to try them out in the field soon!