Product Information

Series 180
MiniatureMicrophones

www.neumann.com

Georg Neumann GmbH, Berlin • Ollenhauerstr. 98 • 13403 Berlin • Germany • Tel.: +49 (30) 417724-0 • Fax: +49 (30) 417724-50
E-Mail: headoffice@neumann.com, engineering@neumann.com, catalog-info@neumann.com • Web: www.neumann.com

he “Series 180” consists of three compact miniature microphones with patterns
that satisfy the demands of all common studio applications. Because of its optimized mechanical construction and conscious omissionof modularity, which is unnecessary in manycases, the “Series 180” is predestined for economy-minded production and home recording
studios.
The KM 183 omnidirectional and KM 185
hypercardioid microphones are based on thetremendously successful KM 184 cardioid
microphone, which has become a standard
within the global studio community in just avery short time.
All “Series 180” microphones are available
with either matte black or nickel finish. They
come in a folding box with a windshield andtwo stand mounts that permit connection to
the microphone body, or the XLR-connector.

Applications
Their slender shapes and the transmission characteristics described below make the “Series 180”
especially suitable for a very wide range of tasks
in the radio and television sector.

Acoustic features
The KM 183 and KM 184 microphones are thesuccessors of the well proven KM 83 andKM 84, which have been used since the seventies worldwide with great success. The
KM 185 rounds out the series with a hypercardioid microphone.
The KM 183 is a pressure transducer with aboost of approximately 7 dB at 10 kHz in thefree field. In the diffuse sound field it has aflat frequency response.

Features• Three different miniaturemicrophones for all typicalstudio applications• Trouble-free operation alsowith unbalanced equipment(e.g., DAT recorders)• Successor of the worldwide
successful KM 83/84• Set includes windshield andtwo different microphoneclamps• Transformerless circuitry

Series 180

The pressure gradient transducers KM 184 andKM 185 feature very smooth frequency responses not only for the 0° axis, but also forlateral (off-axis) sound incidence. In typicalusage, there is no coloration of sound over awide pickup angle.
Although the KM 184 has the same capsuleas the KM 84, the microphone differs slightly
on the 0° frequency response: The KM 184
has a gentle rise at about 9 kHz, a characteristic that was introduced very successfully with
the KM 140. The result is a tonal balance thatis fresher and livelier when compared to theKM 84 with its flat frequency response in that
band.
This difference was achieved with just a slightchange of the capsule’s rear opening, and is notdue to resonances.
The KM 185 with its hypercardioid characteristic features attenuation of sound incidence
from the side or rear of about 10 dB, with minimum sensitivity at an angle of 120°.

EconomyThe “Series 180” is a good choice for all users
who look for a high-quality miniature microphone, but do not need the complex, modular
KM 100 system, which continues to be partof the Neumann product range.
The mechanical construction was simplified,for example, capsule and output stage cannot
be separated from each other. For this reason
the “Series 180” is an economical alternative
without giving up the electroacoustic features
the users expect from Neumann microphones.

Delivery Range
KM 183 (mt) ... 185 (mt) Microphone, WNS 100
Windscreen, SG 21/17 mt Stand mount
Stereo set: 2x KM 183 (mt) ... 185 (mt)
Microphone, 2x WNS 100 Windscreen,
2x SG 21/17 mt Stand mount, Wooden box

Catalog No.
Electrical features
The “Series 180” microphones have the sametransformerless circuitry as is used in theKM 100 system, resulting in excellent technicalspecifications: Compared to the KM 84 the dynamic range of the KM 184 increased by 24 dB
mainly through the reduction of self-noise level
to only 22 dB (CCIR) and an increased soundpressure handling capability of up to 138 dB.
The microphones operate without any problems, even if the input of following equipment
happens to be unbalanced, for example as insome DAT recorders.
The output of the “Series 180”, as in all Neumann microphones, is balanced and phantom(48V) powered.

KM 183 ........................................................... ni ........ 008437
KM 183 mt ................................................... blk ..... 008438
KM 183 Stereo set .................................. ni ........ 008522
KM 183 mt Stereo set .......................... blk ..... 008521
KM 184 ........................................................... ni ........ 008439
KM 184 mt ................................................... blk ..... 008389
KM 184 Stereo set .................................. ni ........ 008524
KM 184 mt Stereo set .......................... blk ..... 008523
KM 185 ........................................................... ni ........ 008440
KM 185 mt ................................................... blk ..... 008441
KM 185 Stereo set .................................. ni ........ 008526
KM 185 mt Stereo set .......................... blk ..... 008525

Selection of Accessories
Elastic suspension,
EA 2124 A mt ............................................. blk ..... 008433Auditorium hanger, MNV 21 mt ..... blk ..... 006802
Popscreen, PS 15 ....................................... blk ..... 008472
Windscreen, WS 100 ............................. blk ..... 006751
A complete survey and detailed descriptionsof all accessories are contained in theaccessories catalog.
Meaning of color codes: blk = black, ni = nickel

Series 180

Technical Data

KM 183measured in free-field conditions (IEC 60268-4)

KM 184

KM 185

Technical Data KM 183 / KM 184 / KM 185
Acoustical operating principle ..... Pressure/Pressure gradient transducer
Directional pattern .............................. omnidirectional/cardioid/hypercardioid
Frequency range .................................................................................... 20 Hz...20 kHz
Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm ............................................. 12/15/10 mV/Pa
Rated impedance .................................................................................................. 50 ohms
Rated load impedance ................................................................................. 1000 ohms
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR1) (rel. 94 dB SPL) ............................ 70/72/70 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted1) (rel. 94 dB SPL) .............. 81/81/79 dB
Equivalent noise level, CCIR1) ............................................................... 24/22/24 dB

Equivalent noise level, A-weighted1) ............................................ 13/13/15 dB-A
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%2) ................................................ 140/138/142 dB
Maximum output voltage ..................................................................................... 10 dBu
Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938) ......................................................... 48 V ± 4 V
Current consumption (P48, IEC 61938) .................................................... 3.2 mA
Matching connector ................................................................................................... XLR3F
Weight .................................................................................................................. approx. 80 gDiameter .......................................................................................................................... 22 mm
Length ............................................................................................................................ 107 mm

1) according to IEC 60268-1; CCIR-weighting acccording to CCIR 468-3, quasi peak; A-weighting according to IEC 61672-1, RMS2) measured as equivalent el. input signal

Application Hints
KM 183• For close miking of instruments when there
is no need to attenuate extraneous noise,
and in a balanced acoustic environment torecord- acoustic guitar,- wind instruments,- strings,- percussion,- drums• Ideal as AB stereo pair because of the flat frequency
response in the diffuse sound field• As a main mic, especially for capturing room acoustics• For stereo recordings with a baffle plate• As a spot mic for- piano,- wind instruments,- organ,- choir

KM 184• For universal use, especially for recording situations when it isnecessary to attenuate off-axis sound (mainly from the rear)from other nearby instruments.
• As XY and ORTF stereo pair
• Announcer’s mic for broadcasting• Spot mic, overhead• Close miking of- strings,- wind instruments,- percussion,- piano,- Leslie speakers,- guitar amps

KM 185• Especially for recording situations when it is necessary toattenuate off-axis sound (lateral and rear) from other nearby
instruments.
• As XY stereo pair
• Overhead, toms
• In situations that are susceptible to acoustic feedback• To attenuate unwanted sound of nearby instruments• Recording of speech, as in- TV,- movie and video productions,- PA systems• Produces especially warm and bass supporting sound for
artists who perform in proximity effect range
These are just some of the most common applications. We
recommend additional experimentation to gain maximum use
from this microphone.

Errors excepted, subject to changes • Printed in Germany • Publ. 01/08 058153/A06® Neumann is a registered trademark of the Georg Neumann GmbH in certain countries.