Sennheiser e 965

The Sennheiser e 965 is the flagship of the handheld vocal range: a large-diaphragm condenser that brings studio sound onto a stage. Its one-inch dual diaphragm is switchable between cardioid and supercardioid, so the same microphone works for a singer standing in front of monitors and for one who needs a wider, more forgiving pickup — a decision usually made when buying two different microphones. The externally polarized capsule resolves detail a dynamic microphone rounds off, and a switchable pre-attenuation pad raises the ceiling from 142 to 152 dB SPL, so even a shouted chorus at close range will not overload it. Response runs 40 Hz to 20,000 Hz with a 21 dB(A) noise floor. It needs 48 V phantom power, has a 3-pin XLR output and weighs 396 g.

evolution wired

Studio detail, switchable on stage

A one-inch dual diaphragm switchable between cardioid and supercardioid: one microphone covering what would otherwise be two purchases. The condenser capsule resolves what a dynamic rounds off.

• Switchable pattern
• 40–20,000 Hz
• 152 dB with pad

Two patterns, one microphone

Cardioid gives a wider pickup that forgives a singer who moves; supercardioid narrows it and buys more gain before feedback in front of monitors. Switching on the microphone means the same unit fits both a lectern and a loud stage, instead of being wrong for one of them.

A pad that raises the ceiling

Switchable pre-attenuation lifts the maximum from 142 to 152 dB SPL, so a singer working close and loud does not overload the capsule — the failure that turns a chorus into distortion. Sensitivity drops from 7 to 2.3 mV/Pa with the pad in, and the 21 dB(A) noise floor keeps quiet passages clean either way.