Sennheiser’s new microphones play well with phones and cameras

Sennheiser introduces some new photos that creators can use on cameras and consumer-level phones, including an update to its popular MKE 400 shotgun microphone and new phone-friendly Lavaliere microphones.

The updated MKE 400 shotgun microphone looks in many ways like an upgrade from the previous version – it has a new design that includes a windshield (it also comes with a hairy windshield), a built-in headphone port and, blessed, can automatically turn on or off with your camera. It also has a free windbreaker for when it gets really windy. It can help reduce the number of times you finish recording, only to realize that you have not really captured the sound you were hoping for (something I absolutely did before).

The updated MKE 400, with a built-in windscreen.
Image: Sennheiser

The previous version of the MKE 400.
Image: Sennheiser

It is also now designed to work with mobile devices such as phones or tablets; it comes with both a standard TRS cable intended for DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, as well as a TRRS cable that should work when plugged into a phone’s headphone jack. Or, most likely, a 3.5mm-to-USB-C or lightning adapter. With the built-in headphone jack of the microphone, you should even be able to monitor when shooting with a phone (or with a camera that has only a microphone and no headphones out).

The TRS and TRRS cables make it easy to use the microphone with both phones and cameras.
Image: Sennheiser

The new features should help make the Sennheiser microphone a more attractive competitor to Rode’s latest microphones – the older version of the MKE 400’s lack of car on / off and relatively outdated design made it difficult to compare to something like A red VideoMic Pro. It’s nice to see Sennheiser catch up with the rest of the market.

However, all the upgrades to the MKE 400 cost a bit in the battery section: Sennheiser estimated that the old MKE 400 would last 300 hours of a single AAA battery, while the new version only advertises 100 hours of use. of two AAAs. The microphone still sells for the same $ 199.95.

The USB-C version of the XS Lav.
Image: Sennheiser

Meanwhile, Sennheiser’s new XS Lav microphones are meant to be worn on a shirt collar or cover and can be useful for creators who want better sound but who do not want to use a large microphone. The clip-on microphones are available in two versions: one with a 3.5 mm TRRS plug and one with a USB-C plug for dongle-free use with phones or computers. Sennheiser previously made a lavalier microphone for iPhones plugged in via Lightning, but it seems to be no longer widely available. (You can find one that looks mysterious on Apogee.)

The USB-C version should be the most compatible, as it will be useful for both Android phones and single audio port computers (setting it up in a combination of a headphone jack on a MacBook will make it difficult to headphones, but you can use the USB-C port instead). iPhone owners will want to look at the XS Lav with the 3.5mm connector, though an adapter is needed.

The 3.5mm version costs $ 49.95, and the USB-C version costs $ 59.95 – both are cheaper than the $ 79 Red smartLav Plus.

Both the MKE 400 and XS Lav USB-C can also be purchased as part of a ‘Mobile Kit’, which adds $ 30 to the price and includes a small tripod and phone clamp mount.

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