SennheiserMD 445

Tonal profile

The supercardioid sibling of the MD 435, same capsule size and same 245 ohm output, one decibel quieter because a tighter pattern always costs on-axis level. Sennheiser calls the pattern 'high rejection supercardioid' in the specification table, which is a marketing name attached to a measured quantity - the polar plot on page two is what to read.

Gain staging

1.6 mV/Pa and -55.9 dBV/Pa, both printed, both consistent - about a decibel and a half below an SM58 in level, and into 245 ohms instead of 150. On a long stage snake into a low-impedance input the difference shows up as a slightly softer top, not as lost level.