NEUMANN KM 185 Condenser Microphone, Hypercardioid
The Neumann KM 185 is the hypercardioid microphone model in the 180 Series, designed for all situations requiring high directivity and maximum isolation between sources.
Compared to the cardioid KM 184, its narrower pattern provides greater attenuation of sounds coming from the sides, reducing bleed from nearby instruments and room acoustics. The hypercardioid pattern is compact and frequency-independent, ensuring a very natural and transparent sound even for off-axis sound sources.
This characteristic is particularly valuable in multi-microphone live setups, on drum kits (snare, toms, hi-hat), in orchestral settings, or in the studio when multiple musicians perform in the same room—as well as in acoustically untreated environments. The transformerless electronics deliver a low self-noise level of 15 dB-A and remarkable high-SPL handling capability, up to 142 dB SPL. The KM 185 is thus suited for universal applications, ranging from classical piano to heavy metal drums, and supports cable runs of up to 300 meters without signal degradation. This version in nickel finish includes the WNS 100 windscreen and the SG 21 bk swivel mount.
Technical Specifications:
| Acoustical operating principle | Pressure gradient transducer |
|---|---|
| Directional Pattern | Hypercardioid |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz ... 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm | 10 mV/Pa ± 1 dB |
| Rated Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Rated load impedance | 1 kohms |
| Equivalent noise level, CCIR | 24 dB |
| Equivalent noise level, A-weighted | 15 dB-A |
| Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% | 142 dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL) | 70 dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted (re. 94 dB SPL) | 79 dB |
| Maximum output voltage | 10 dBu |
| Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938) | 48 V ± 4 V |
| Current consumption (P48, IEC 61938) | 3.2 mA |
| Matching connector | XLR 3 F |
| Weight | approx. 80 g |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Length | 107 mm |
