Sennheiser MKE 200 Microphone Review

When you work with technology, you know that it can be both a blessing and a curse. The faster technology advances, the more convenient it is to make art and content. On the flip side, with more advanced technology comes the need for specialized tools, and that can burn a hole in any content creator’s pocket. In today’s review of the Sennheiser MKE 200 microphone, we’ll take a look at an on-camera microphone that’s bridging the gap between new and old.

About the Sennheiser MKE 200

Pretty much everything about filmmaking has changed in the 21^st century, and that especially includes audio recording equipment. Clarity, convenience, portability, and affordability have all improved by leaps and bounds, and the result is greater independence and flexibility for filmmakers, video journalists, vloggers, and much more.

However, technology is improving by the day, and filmmakers and vloggers still need to keep up. Where the DSLR camera might have been the height of film recording for hobbyists and professionals alike, now options like the mirrorless camera and the smartphone camera have started to enter the scene. The Sennheiser MKE 200 is a microphone that’s built to meet that challenge head-on.

Sennheiser MKE 200 Pros

The Sennheiser MKE 200 is a compact microphone that was designed for use with smaller devices, particularly smartphones and mirrorless cameras. While it may come out of the box as a simpler solution when compared with other microphones, it packs a punch when it comes to performance.

Big Things in Small Packages

Right off the bat, what you’ll notice with the MKE 200 is its compact size. Weighing in at just under 50 g (1.5 oz), it’s definitely small enough to use with your phone. There are no gain control switches available on the microphone body, and it doesn’t need a battery to run, making it essentially plug-and-play.

Its plug-and-play capabilities make it an instant upgrade for smartphone users in particular. No need for fancy accessories, batteries, or other equipment. Just plug the mic in and get rolling.

Top Versatility

Another thing that makes the MKE 200 stand out is its versatility. While you won’t get a host of extra accessories and equipment, the microphone does come with two cords: one to connect it to your smartphone, and another to connect it to your mirrorless or DSLR cameras.

That’s a pretty good range of options for such a small piece of equipment. Additionally, while the MKE 200 comes with a shoe mount that makes it easy enough to mount on mirrorless cameras or DSLRs, you may want to add finding an appropriate adaptor for your phone. Plenty of smartphone tripods come with that option so it’s not going to be too difficult, but definitely factor that into your expenses.

It should also be noted that the cables that come with the Sennheiser MKE 200 are TRRS and TRS, so if your phone needs another option (USB-C, for example), you’ll need to find a quality adaptor to make it work.

Boost Your Audio

The Sennheiser MKE 200 is an instant audio upgrade that’s practically foolproof. At around $100, it’s an affordable yet versatile solution to your audio woes. It’s definitely miles better than the internal microphone on your camera, and it’s a quick and easy solution that requires little to no extra effort on your part to execute.

On the other hand, don’t expect it to be the most powerful little mic in the world. While the MKE 200 microphone does great for the most part, especially for the price, it does experience some sound compression and doesn’t perform the best for louder environments like music events. Still, it performs great for speech, so definitely pick it up for that.

Ready Solution

The MKE 200 does come with a few accessories that let you start recording right out of the box. It has a black furry windshield cover that performs mildly well, especially given how bare-bones the microphone’s own design is. It also comes with the aforementioned TRS (for mirrorless and DSLR) and TRRS (for smartphones) 3.5mm coiled cable, which makes recording on different devices much easier.

The cables connect to the microphone in the front, and you might want to label each cable as they come out of the box looking exactly alike. Since they’re coiled, it’s much easier to maneuver them out of the way when you need to, and they also have a locking mechanism so you don’t accidentally disconnect your microphone from your camera.

Great Direction

The Sennheiser MKE 200 is has a supercardioid polar pattern. This directionality helps block out unwanted sound, making it easier to record what you want, when you want to. To help with the noise reduction, you’ll definitely want to keep using it with the included fuzzy windshield to avoid further sound distortion.

Overall, the sound is clear and precise, but the microphone does suffer from a bit of proximity effect. To avoid this, try capturing sound from a little further away and then just dial up the gain as much as possible. Be sure to test your audio settings before recording, as the MKE 200 doesn’t come with any onboard switches.

Pros and Cons of the Sennheiser MKE 200

What People Are Saying

If you’re looking for a quick and simple upgrade to your sound, then the Sennheiser MKE is a great solution. Affordably priced and more versatile compared to other microphones in its price range, it’s a simple solution to getting the most out of your camera. This makes it a great option for amateur filmmakers or vloggers who want to amp their recording up to the next level.

Where to Buy the Sennheiser MKE 200

While there are certainly more advanced microphones out there, the Sennheiser MKE 200 is nevertheless a solid contender for DSLR and smartphone micing. The audio quality is there, and the versatility makes it a great addition to any equipment kit. Although the microphone definitely has room for improvement, for the price you’re getting pretty good value. Find the best deals for the Sennheiser MKE 200 Microphone here.

Sennheiser MKE 200

The Sennheiser MKE 200 is a compact and lightweight microphone that offers a range of impressive features for content creators on the go. Sporting a super-cardioid polar pattern, it excels in capturing focused and directional audio, ensuring that your recordings have excellent clarity and minimal background noise.

With its built-in wind protection and furry windscreen, the MKE 200 effectively reduces unwanted wind noise, allowing for clean and high-quality audio recordings even in outdoor environments.

This feature is particularly valuable for outdoor shoots or when recording in windy conditions, ensuring that your audio remains clear and unaffected by gusts of wind.

The MKE 200 incorporates an internal suspension mount, minimizing handling noise and vibrations that could otherwise interfere with your recordings.

One notable advantage of the MKE 200 is that it operates without the need for batteries. This eliminates the hassle of constantly replacing or recharging batteries, providing convenience and uninterrupted recording sessions.

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