Stuck on what to buy? We've got you covered
It’s hard to believe, but once again, the festive season has snuck right up on all of us, giving us the perfect chance to give back to our friends and family with a whole swag of fun gifts. If you’re hunting for the perfect present to give to a musician these holidays, Sennheiser have well and truly got you covered, with their wide range of headphones and microphones suiting all kinds of musicians, producers and listeners.
To help refine your shopping list, we’ve teamed up with Sennheiser to spotlight five of the best gifts to keep your eyes peeled for this Christmas.
Sennheiser MK 4 Microphone
A high-quality cardioid condenser microphone should be a mandatory item for all musicians and producers, regardless of whether they’re operating in a DIY home studio or a fully-kitted professional recording room.
Constructed in Germany, Sennheiser’s MK 4 seeks to fill that niche by providing a condenser microphone with shimmering sound quality and an affordable price-tag, making it a no-brainer for audio professionals of all backgrounds.
With its sturdy 24-carat gold-plated diaphragm, metal housing and large 1” capsule, the MK 4 is rugged yet incredibly lightweight, selling it as a suitable solution for use both onstage and in the studio.
A frequency range of 20Hz – 20 kHz and maximum SPL of 140dB means that the MK 4 will handle everything from acoustic guitars and speaker cabinets through to sung and spoken vocals with ease, delivering a rich, full sound across a range of sources.
Meanwhile, the MK 4’s internal shockmount and low inherent self-noise helps to make your recorded tracks sound cleaner than ever before, which could come in handy for any budding podcasters or content creators out there.
Coming bundled up with a storage pouch and MZQ 4 clip to mount onto a microphone stand, you’d be hard pressed to find a better bang-for-buck condenser microphone than the MK 4.
RRP $419
Sennheiser e 835 / e 835 S
In the market for a high-quality vocal mic for live performance and use in the studio this Christmas? Don’t overlook the e 835: Sennheiser’s acclaimed take on the tried-and-true dynamic cardioid microphone, a killer choice for scenarios where clear sound and high volumes are a priority.
Built with a tough metal chassis, the e 835 is surprisingly sleek and featherweight, catering for all kinds of microphone grips and mounted applications. A frequency range of 40 – 16000 Hz guarantees consistent results for both booming bass vocals and squeaky falsettos alike, avoiding the trappings of the muffled midrange found all-too-often in dynamic microphones in this price range.
The e 835’s ability to withstand feedback even at extremely loud volumes makes it a perfect pick for live vocalists – particularly those competing against over-eager bandmates – while the cleverly designed capsule makes sure that vocals will retain clarity and presence from far distances. Should you need, there’s even the e 835 S, which features an additional on/off switch for quick muting onstage.
Whether you’re a singer in a brutal metalcore group or a public speaker seeking to cut through the noise at your upcoming festive function, the Sennheiser e 835 has got you covered on all fronts.
RRP $169
Sennheiser HD 400 PRO Studio Headphones
Designed for accuracy, spaciousness, and comfort, the over-ear, open-back HD 400 PRO studio headphones are the ideal companion for creators seeking natural and precise sound reproduction to accurately assess their audio mixes.
They boast a wide frequency response of 6 to 38kHz to give music producers the full account of their bass, while accurately reproducing audio beyond the audible frequency range, giving you access to nuanced harmonics and ambience in your music, while at the same time revealing an articulate low-end.
The headphone transducers sit at a slight angle to carefully recreate the optimum listening position you would place yourself in with monitor loudspeakers in a recording studio, while the open-back design also ensures a natural propagation of sound to provide spaciousness.
With comfort at the forefront for extended-period users as many mixers and masters are, an ultra-light frame positions the earcups in place, gently hugging the ears with minimal pressure. Soft velour earpads and the open, circumaural design offers sufficient ventilation for ears to stay cool during long mixing sessions.
The headphones come with a 3-metre coiled cable and a 1.8-metre straight cable, both fitted with a 3.5 mm (1/8”) jack plug for portable sources, with a 6.3 mm (1/4”) adapter included, for flexibility.
RRP $449
Sennheiser IE 100 PRO BT in-ear monitors
The IE 100 PRO Bluetooth in-ear monitors are the perfect gift for those performing live on stage or in the studio with its specially designed driver that brings you precise audio clarity.
The IE 100 PROs boast a relatively flat frequency response which might sound a little underwhelming in comparison to consumer Bluetooth headphones, but the overall clarity will benefit you in live and studio situations where hearing exactly what’s happening is key.
For live, studio and casual usage, these IEM’s by Sennheiser are a sturdy, clear, and precise product that accurately represents a wide range of frequencies and does extremely well under demanding circumstances. They’re super affordable, easily malleable, and will suit the needs of the average gigging musician without breaking the bank.
It’s this competitive price-point and versatile range of use that makes the Sennheiser IE 100 PROs a product that can be used extensively off stage as much as onstage. Two big thumbs up from us!
They will help all types of audio professionals as, in combination with the BT connector, you can rely on the crystal-clear sound wherever you are with 10 hours of battery life and high-quality codecs. You’ll have the quality that professionals expect.
They also come complete with four earpiece adapters to optimise the fit for every ear size and shape.
RRP $179
Sennheiser Evolution Wireless Digital (EW-D) – handheld and instrument
When it comes to the world of wireless systems, the German company inarguably takes a healthy bite of the pie. Something that’s always held Sennheiser in such high esteem from pro-sumer to pro audio is their well thought out, easy to use designs, rugged reliability, and price point.
The Evolution Wireless Digital range boasts high quality receivers/transmitters, and the same reliability that Sennheiser have upheld throughout their long tenure as RF experts.
The range and signal strength of both the handheld and instrument sets are impressive, with Sennheiser boasting up to 100m of operating range (with clear line of sight of course), with the detail and nuance of the mic being classic Sennheiser, featuring a nice amount of top end detail, without getting harsh in the upper midrange.
It features an ability to deep dive into every parameter of the system, making the EW-D feel more like a pro level device. Of course, all of these parameters can be adjusted on the receiver units themselves and are displayed on the front panel. Finally, for those needing further assistance with setting up their system, the support hub tab in the Smart Assist app has a wealth of helpful videos and instructions. A nice touch.
Equidistant frequency tuning is built into EW-D, allowing channels to be set 600kHz apart, and this technology, paired with equidistant spacing over a 56MHz bandwidth (with 2240 selectable frequencies) gives pinpoint accuracy and stability; with optimum conditions allowing up to 90 channels in one system!
Quality sound, rugged metal housing and ease of use tick all the boxes.
RRP $1,359 (handheld) / $1,259 (instrument)
Head to Sennheiser’s website to check out their full product range.
