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Reviews For: Sennheiser MD421 II Dynamic Microphone

Category: Microphones for ham radio

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Review Summary For : Sennheiser MD421 II Dynamic Microphone
Reviews: 8MSRP: 485
Description:
The MD 421 II continues the tradition of the MD 421 which has been one of Sennheiser's most popular dynamic mics for over 35 years. The large diaphragm, dynamic element handles high sound pressure levels, making it a natural for recording guitars and drums. The MD 421's full-bodied cardioid pattern, and five-position bass control make it an excellent choice for most instruments, as well as group vocals, or radio broadcast announcers. One listen and you'll know why it's a classic.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.sennheiserusa.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0084.9
KC2RGW Rating: 2021-03-27
Very nice, flexible and an industry staple Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This was my preferred stage mic when touring for many uses from kick drums, toms, guitar cabinets and bass enclosures. It is a very flexible mic.

For ham radio use, it was very solid for me but due to my own voice profile it was a bit tricky. I have noisy shack conditions and need to work a mic rather closely to set the gain up properly to avoid bringing in background noises.

This mic doesn't handle plosives well at all if worked 3" or so away, you will definitely need at least a pro grade foam screen or a pop filter screen. If you have a quiet shack and can work it a few inches more out, you'll be fine.

I have a very husky voice with a lot of bottom end, heavy 120Hz and also 250-315Hz that I need to carve out deeply. This mic has a multi selectable high pass filter that works great but for my own voice I had to run it at the S (speech) or one click more open or I would overload the mic with bottom end. If I rolled off enough with this mic, it made the rest of the low-mid range sound a bit odd.

This mic also has quite an exaggerated presence rise, which for many people and radio use is great for articulation, but in my case I have some overtones and this mic was just a bit gritty on my voice.

It's a very sturdy mic and has reasonable output level (I do run rack mic pre-amps).

If you have a thinner voice, this mic will give you some warmth and crystal clear articulation. If you have a bassy voice, this mic will need a good amount of EQ trimming.

It's worth a shot, but if you can borrow one first, it may be a good idea.

I've since picked up a Heil PR-30 that has less proximity effect, better off axis rejection (by quite a lot) and a smoother top end presence rise. It also has a less pronounced bottom end response. For my voice it works better for me.
WZ2P Rating: 2020-10-12
Ugly? Yes, but close your eyes and listen Time Owned: more than 12 months.
If you're reading this review you know hand mics work just fine. But if you like to nerd out on audio improvements than her is my opinion.
The MD421 is a legendary Swiss Army knife in the recording studio. From vocals to drums, to guitar cabinets, it's great reputation is well known. The current variant MD421 II like its predecessors is ugly, but man does it sound beautiful! Like any microphone, you need to test them on your own voice. My MD421 II is connected to my ICOM 7300 though a simple mic preamp. Seems like the ICOM 7300 circuit doesn't provide enough gain on it's own. Most modern radios have built in EQ's which can make most mics sound good but the 421 made an immediate improvement. The Sennheiser has a built in 5 position bass roll off collar which allows you to make fine adjustments as well. You absolutely need a pop filter with the 421. The one thing I don't like is the mic clip. The MD421II can be found from time to time for $199.00 vs about $380.00 each. It's simply a great microphone at either price. The original MD421 was introduced in 1960. Another item I'd like to cover. All modern transceivers have good speech processors built in. Learn how to adjust it, and use it no matter what microphone your using.
G0VHS Rating: 2012-09-17
Unique sound Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
RE27 or MD421 II ? That was the choice for me.
No phantom power stuff that requires unnecessary interfacing etc.

After hearing both on air, and comparing the technical specs of many, many, microphones the most natural and to my ears and also has a unique sound, the Sennheiser won the battle.
You can select the rolloff filters easily...something that is a PITA with the RE-27.

Very pleased with it. Sounds great plugged straight into my Kenwoods and Icoms. Even better tailored to my sound likening by W2IHY's equipment.

It's a quantum leap over the Heil microphones I have like the Goldline Pro and HC4 and HC5.

The case material could be a little more robust, as I feel it potentially would mark easily.

KB7TPB Rating: 2012-07-02
I don't own one but would like too! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have heard the Sennheiser MD421 on the air and they have sounded awesome. Most people who write reviews haven't actually heard themselves on audio. I know when I'm hearing a Sennheiser MD421 II Dynamic Microphone as it is a clean, sharp and very easy to listen to. I have pulled the sounds out of these mics during pile-ups before I could get any other calls. I like listen to these mikes as they sound like they should and much more.
K8JHR Rating: 2011-10-17
OK - but overkill in this application Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a legendary microphone for studio work, but is truly overkill for ham radio use. SSB uses very little speech frequency audio bandwidth, about 2600 Hz. The human speech audio frequency spectrum is only between 150 Hz and 4,000 Hz, so practically any microphone costing more than $10 will have sufficiently linear response and produce sound good on pretty much any transceiver. This is a good, high-quality, well-built microphone, but overkill and, I think, inappropriate tool for the job.

Nevertheless, it is a super quality, luxuriously and durably well made product, and if you have need for an excellent recording microphone for other applications or uses, then this could serve double duty in the ham shack.

James / K8JHR
PD5L Rating: 2009-09-11
is there a better mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I use my MD421 U 4 on my IC 765 and a get lots of complements about my modulation. It replaced my SM 8 which is a great mic. I tried Behringer B1 but the sennheiser is the best.

A great piece of German technic.
KI4UCO Rating: 2009-03-30
Great mic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using MD421 mics for the better part of my 25+ year broadcasting career. It is an OUTSTANDING mic. So it was a no brainer that when I wanted a better mic for my HF station, the 421 got the nod. I get consistently good comments on my audio from my contacts. A great microphone!!!
KF8RX Rating: 2005-05-02
Best Dynamic Mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This dynamic microphone sounds like a condenser mic. No phantom power makes it a natural for ham radio. Though it is a bit on the expensive side for most hams, if you are interested in Hi Fi audio this is the mic for you. I bought mine used for $200. New, they are discounted to $350.

I am using it with a W2IHY 8-band EQ and an EQ plus. The improvement going from my Heil PR-20, a great mic in it's own right, was dramatic. This mic is so smooth, I can run as much bass as I care to with absolutely no muddiness. There is a five position bass cut off switch near the connector that really works.

If ever there was a mic that deserves a "5" this is it.

Eric, KF8RX