Product Overview

The KM 185 mt is the high-precision specialist of the "Series 180." While its siblings cover omni and cardioid patterns, the KM 185 utilizes a hypercardioid characteristic to provide maximum attenuation of sound from the sides and rear. This results in a highly focused, transparent, and natural sound. Like all microphones in this series, it features transformerless circuitry, ensuring a clean signal path with extremely low self-noise and high output gain.

Product Description

Faithful Reproduction

While many modern microphones are designed to add their own sonic "imprint," the Neumann Series 180 is built for applications requiring a faithful reproduction of the original acoustic event. The KM 185 mt provides a transparent sound without adding or removing tonal characteristics. Because it is a non-modular system, it offers elite Neumann engineering at a more cost-effective price point than the modular KM A or KM D series.

Precision Hypercardioid Isolation

The KM 185 mt features a hypercardioid pattern that is remarkably frequency-independent. It provides excellent rejection of rearward sound (at 120°) even at low frequencies. This ensures there is no sound coloration over a wide pickup angle, which is critical for maintaining precise stereo and surround imaging in multi-microphone setups. Its frequency response is incredibly smooth, featuring a slight treble lift around 10 kHz for added brilliance and "air."

Advanced Transformerless Engineering

Equipped with an innovative transformerless head amplifier, the KM 185 mt maintains total sonic integrity while offering a wide dynamic range of 127 dB. It boasts a very low self-noise of only 15 dB-A and can handle high sound pressure levels of up to 142 dB without distortion. Thanks to its low-impedance output stage, it can drive long cable runs of up to 300 meters (1000 feet) without any transmission loss.

Compact & Visually Unobtrusive

The "mt" designation signifies a Matte Black finish, which is non-reflective and ideal for television, broadcast, and film. Its small size ensures it remains visually discreet on camera while providing studio-grade audio.

Key Features

• Uniform Hypercardioid Pattern: Maximum isolation without off-axis coloration.

• High Side/Rear Suppression: Excellent rejection of unwanted sound at 120°.

• Linear Frequency Response: Natural sound with a slight treble lift for detail.

• Extreme SPL Handling: Distortion-free performance up to 142 dB.

• Matte Black (mt) Finish: Professional, non-reflective coating for stage and screen.

• Transformerless Circuitry: Low self-noise and high signal integrity.

   

Applications

• Drums & Percussion: The perfect solution for recording a snare drum while suppressing hi-hat spill.

• Acoustic Instruments: Exceptional for piano, acoustic guitar, upright bass, violin, and wind instruments.

• Classical Vocals: Often utilized when sonic authenticity is the primary requirement.

• Broadcast & TV: A favorite for on-camera musical performances and high-end studio dialogue.

Technical Specifications