NeumannKMS 104
microphone
New retail price (MSRP)
$699
Used market: $545*
Specifications
0 of 9 values have a recorded source- Connectors
- XLR 3-Pin Male·
- Built-in converter
- no·
- Self-noise
- 18·
- Transducer
- Condenser True·
- Sensitivity
- -47·
- Output impedance
- 50·
- Phantom power required
- yes·
- Connection
- XLR-Only·
- Indexable Locales
- ·
Expert Audio Engineering Commentary
Tonal profile
A stage condenser built to survive a hand and a windshield: cardioid, three-stage pop protection, and a top end that stays civil at close range. It is the flatter, more forgiving half of the KMS pair.
Gain staging
-47 dBV/Pa is quiet for a condenser - only 6 dB above an SM58 - because the capsule is small and the mic is meant to be sung into. Budget 45-50 dB of preamp gain on stage, and remember it needs 48 V where the dynamic beside it needs nothing.
What the datasheet actually says
Quoted verbatim from the manufacturer’s own page, with the date we checked it. We state what is printed, not what anyone intended by it.
«Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm 4.5 mV/Pa ± 1 dB equ. -47 dBV»
The KMS 104 and the supercardioid KMS 105 carry an identical specification block: the same 4.5 mV/Pa, the same 18 dB-A and 28 dB CCIR noise, the same 150 dB max SPL, 12 dBu maximum output, 3.5 mA draw, 300 g and 48 x 180 mm. Only the polar-pattern row differs. Two different capsules, one set of numbers.
checked 8/6/2026* Estimated with the depreciation fallback (~78% retained value).