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Sennheiser MD 46 - Dynamic ENG Microphone

BH #SEMD46 • MFR #005172
 58 reviews
Sennheiser MD 46 - Dynamic ENG Microphone
Key Features
  • Cardioid Polar Pattern
  • Double Layer Grille Basket
  • Designed for Low Handling Noise
  • Long Handle
The MD 46 handheld cardioid ENG microphone includes features found in today's interview mics, but with studio quality sound, according to the company. The MD 46 has a traditional long handle, wind attenuation and off-axis rejection and is designed to possess an extended high-frequency response, warm lows, and a clean midrange. The company developed the new microphone in response to the needs of NBC and the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Omni microphones pick up everything equally, including background noise. The MD 46 cardioid interview mic focuses on the subject, increasing clarity. Designed to have low handling and wind noise, and to eliminate vocal popping, this microphone gives the ENG team an ideal interview tool.
In Stock
$199.95
$34/mo. suggested payments for 6 Mos.
with the credit card.§ 
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Configuration
MD 46 Microphone
MD 46 Microphone w/Mic Flag ENG Kit
MD 46 w/On the Air Interview Kit
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Sennheiser MD-46 Overview

The MD 46 handheld cardioid ENG microphone includes features found in today's interview mics, but with studio quality sound, according to the company. The MD 46 has a traditional long handle, wind attenuation and off-axis rejection and is designed to possess an extended high-frequency response, warm lows, and a clean midrange. The company developed the new microphone in response to the needs of NBC and the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Omni microphones pick up everything equally, including background noise. The MD 46 cardioid interview mic focuses on the subject, increasing clarity. Designed to have low handling and wind noise, and to eliminate vocal popping, this microphone gives the ENG team an ideal interview tool.

Rugged all-metal body
Extremely low sensitivity to handling noise
Very insensitive to pop and wind noise
Uniform frequency response
Excellent sound quality
Integral microphone clamp thread
Double layer grille basket
Cardioid dynamic capsule
Low handling noise
Long handle with excellent balance
UPC: 615104051720

Sennheiser MD-46 Specs

Microphone
Element Type
Dynamic
Polar Pattern
Cardioid
Performance
Frequency Range
40 Hz to 18 kHz
Impedance
350 Ohms
Connectivity
Output Connector
1 x XLR 3-Pin Male
Physical
Dimensions
ø: 1.9 x L: 9.8" / ø: 48.3 x L: 248.9 mm
Weight
12 oz / 340 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.87 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
13.95 x 5.4 x 2.7"

Sennheiser MD-46 Reviews

The best cardioid hand mic.

By Andrew
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-09-11

The best sounding cardioid dynamic hand mic available. Works great for loud environments like stadiums and arenas. The only downside is that the handle paint is not very durable and scratches easily.

ENG, Yes!

By Jeremy
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-05

If you are doing live hits on the street and need the clearest sound, this is your ticket!

wonderful piece of equipment

By Curtis
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-11-06

Using for interviews, of personal nature, with older people who describe their growing up days.

Solid, but not the most versatile

By Owen
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-03-15

After more than a decade using my Shure SM58 as an interview mic, I decided to upgrade to the Senn MD46 based on reviews and how extensively it is used. The MD46 is a handsome mic, and based on testing but no practical use so far, a solid performer. But the SM58 will remain in my bag. The MD46 has better off-axis rejection than the SM58. It sounds good nine inches or more from the speaker's mouth. However, when close to the mouth the MD46 sounds muddled and prone to plosives.   The SM58 sounds good whether on the lips of the speaker or further away. In a very noisy environment, my preference would be the SM58 because it holds up well to close miking. This generally requires directing the speaker to hold the mic just below their mouth. For more conventional location interview situations, where the correspondent holds the mic, the MD46 will be my choice.

Seems useful.

By David
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-10-24

I tested this on cliffs over the ocean. The waves were very loud, but this mic did a nice job of focusing on the voice instead. For what it's worth I was using the Tascam recorder that you can plug directly into the bottom of this mic. Nice portable solution for some projects.

Great sound

By Jason
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-09-17

Works great with our Lectro plugon transmitter. Nice clean sound. There is a reason it's a workhouse in ENG work.

Best cardioid hand mic available

By Andrew
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-04-14

I own 3 of these mics. In my opinion they are the best cardioid hand mics available. Excellent for talent use in extremely loud ambient noise surroundings like sports arenas and stadiums. Sennheiser designed these mics for NBC to use at the Olympics. The only downside is that the paint on the handle is very susceptible to handling paint scratches and does not wear well thus hurting its on air appearance. I have covered the entire handle with black shrink wrap to prevent superficial scratches.

No Windscreen?

By Anonymous
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-23

This mic produces fantastic audio and rejects ambient noise very well. Comes in a nice foam-lined, hard case for safekeeping. And inside that case is even a removable foam cut out--for a spare head, I guess? We use it as a place to store our windscreen... which brings me to my only complaint: why not include a foam windscreen for a mic this nice?

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Will this work well with the Sony UTX-P40 XLR ...

Will this work well with the Sony UTX-P40 XLR +48v Transmitter?
Asked by: Larry
Yes, the Sennheiser MD 46 Dynamic ENG Microphone can be used with the Sony UTX-P40 Wireless Plug-On Transmitter. Since the MD 46 is a dynamic microphone, it does not require any voltage to function, so you will not need to use the transmitter's 48V phantom power setting.
Answered by: Lisa
Date published: 2023-02-22

How sensitive is this mic? Would it work well ...

How sensitive is this mic? Would it work well plugged directly into the xlr port of a canon xa series camcorder or would it need a stronger preamp?
Asked by: Bret
Being that it is a dynamic mic, any recording device with an XLR mic input, will perfectly work with this mic.
Answered by: Marty
Date published: 2022-07-03

Is this mic compatible with Sennheiser ew 100 g3 ...

Is this mic compatible with Sennheiser ew 100 g3 wireless transmitter?
Asked by: Donald
The best way to use this microphone with that system is to buy a Sennheiser plug on transmitter that runs on the same frequency as your system.
Answered by: leticia
Date published: 2023-04-10

question

Sennheiser MD-46, where is the serial number located and how do I get to it?
Asked by: Anonymous
I couldn't find teh serial number. This mic really disappointed me. It was very expensive and produces an annoying noise. I thought was my mixer, but I tried oder mic and the noise have disappeared.
Answered by: NURIA S.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

what is the size of the wind screen for the Sennheiser MD-46?
Asked by: Anonymous
The wind screen you need for the Sennheiser MD-46 is the MZW 1, product code 004839. I don't have the actual physical dimensions available.
Answered by: Michael Z.
Date published: 2023-02-09

question

Is the MD-46 or the Electro-voice RE50 better in windy conditions? Which handles wind gusts better without a fur wind screen?
Asked by: Michael
Neither one is going to handle wind well. Get a fur wind screen! Probably the MD46 is better, but that's not saying much under windy conditions.
Answered by: Mathew
Date published: 2020-04-05

question

What kind of receiver is needed for this wireless mic?
Asked by: Robert G.
This is not a wireless mic. It has an XLR male connection on the bottom and can accept a wireless transmitter (sold separately).
Answered by: Jon S.
Date published: 2019-10-02

question

I'm getting a lot of handling noise with this mic. Does anyone have a suggestion/best practices on how to minimize, or eliminate, the handling noise? I almost can't use the audio recorded because of this issue.
Asked by: Nathan V.
Swap out the XLR cable. The mic shouldn't be generating much handling noise in normal use. I'm on my second one now after taking my original one around the world doing interviews for six years, and finally retired it. The most likely cause is a bad connection inside the XLR connector on the mic end of the cable, since that's where most of the stress is placed in routine use.
Answered by: MARK G.
Date published: 2020-07-31
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