Sennheiser e 865

Sing.

Got this used Sting Signature E865 over Ebay for about $140 as the principle mic to replace the wirelesses. Not knowing which was better, I also got a Shure beta 87A for about the same money. Both are top of their line condensers and I expected them to sound and work alike. But no!

Even without comparing, the Shure was a toy, unpleasent to use. When comparing, the shure was trash:
The Sennheiser E865 has execellent, uniform, and sensitive pickup that does not varies too much with the distance from mouth. I have amazed friends who told me they like this mic, totally on their own initiatives.
The Shure Beta 87A sounds weak when farther and sounds harsh when close. It is very sensitive to distance that you must hold it very steadily. It has a slim handle that may not be comfortable to hold. One person prefer this one because of its high frequency emphasis.


Nothing wrong about this one.

Good metal construction.

For professionals.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I recently aquired the e865 from a Lukert Productions, motion picture production company who happened to be a Sennheiser dealer. No one else in the Phoenix area had them in stock, but they had plenty. Interestingly, they said they sell a lot to churches because they're so rugged. Had seen them dropped of scaffolding onto concrete without ill effect. I paid $249. Have been in search of the perfect vocal stage mic for years, have gone through SM-58's, a number of EV mics and most recently an AKG D-3700.

Crystal clear highs, great punch, good bottom end without being boomy, little need for EQ. Sounds great EQ'd flat. The hype said Sting wanted a mic that has "air" and that's true. There's no distortion even if you scream into it, (I don't, but someone else did, actually cupping her hand around the end). Good feedback rejection and no handling noise. There's a clarity and spacial sound that you just don't get with a dynamic mic. This results in not having to sing with as much effort to be heard.

Nothing, as close to perfect as you can get. Included items are a little Spartan, just a clip and a nylon pouch, but I'd rather have all the money go into the mic, and not some fancy carrying case anyway.

High quality, good finish, good looks. Comfortable in the hand, although I play guitar, so it's on a stand. Mic clip is also good quality, not cheap-looking and holds the mic securely.

I know the Celine Dion also uses this mic, don't know who else. I just know my search is over. I have a very dynamic vocal style and this mic suits me to a "T". I don't know anyone who wouldn't like it, unless someone wanted the muddiness of say, an SM-58 to cover up flaws in their vocal timbre, or a funky sound. Singing through this mic is like being in the studio. I don't think many people are that aware of this mic, appears only intermittently in the MF catalogs, so at this point it's like a secret weapon. People will think you sound better and they won't know why. It's not cheap of course, and you have to have phantom power to run it, but most PA's have phantom power any more. It carries a 10-yr warranty unlike many other mics. Just save that documentation... and don't let it out of your sight.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com