Sennheiser e865

Make Brand	Sennheiser
Series	Evolution
Applications	Multipurpose Speech Vocals Pro Singing Vocals General Instruments Live Studio

Documentation & Links

Official SpecsheetUser ManualManufacturer website link

Handheld supercardioid condenser microphone for live lead vocals

The sennheiser e865 is a handheld condenser microphone with super-cardioid pickup pattern.

It is the only condenser mic in the “evolution 800” lineup of sennheiser. Being a condenser, the e865 is far more detailed than the rest of the series. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want the performance and quality of a studio microphone on a stage. Its supercardioid polar pattern effectively minimizes feedback and stage noises which would have otherwise be evident due to its extra sensitivity of 3mV/Pa @1kHz.

It comes with a handheld form factor that’s exactly identical to dynamic mics visually. Sennheiser achieves this form factor by using pre-polarized ( electret ) capsule technology.

Speaking of tonal character, it sounds warm and clear with a balanced boost in bass and presence. The mic is well-suited for live vocal performances for a wide range of styles including metal/aggressive genres (thanks to its high SPL of 150dB) and cuts easily through the mix.

With a wide dynamic range, its effective frequency response ranges between 50Hz – 19kHz. The sub-bass is rolled-off which prevents handling noise and rumble effectively. The overall response amplitude is very smooth which makes it easy for EQ’ing.

There is a strong focus in presence and clarity/brightness with a smooth gain of +5.22dB centered at 6kHz. The air is also emphasized a bit which can be helpful in reproducing subtle harmonics in instruments.

Besides vocals, the Sennheiser e865 can also be used in recording instruments but the super-cardioid pattern might be a drawback there.