Detail 01
Switchable cardioid / super-cardioid
Cardioid rejects rear sound; super-cardioid narrows the front and picks up a small rear lobe. Match to monitor placement.
Product detailSKU #1288217329646
Sennheisere 965 Large-Diaphragm Handheld Condenser Microphone
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Large-diaphragm handheld condenser for lead vocals on stage. For singers who want detail and air that a dynamic mic can't give, on loud stages.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Lead vocalists on stages with wedge or in-ear monitoring
- Singers who need clean high end without an EQ boost
- Loud sources — screamers, brass, guitar cabs at close range
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone without 48V phantom power at the console
- Handheld use where mic gets swapped between untrained singers
- Budget-conscious buyers stocking multiple mics for a band
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
142dB max SPL, 152dB with pre-attenuation
Handles a screaming vocalist or a snare at inches without distorting. The pad switch buys 10dB more headroom.
Detail 03
40Hz–20kHz frequency response
Wider than a typical stage dynamic on both ends. More low-end proximity and more sibilance to manage in the mix.
Detail 04
48V phantom power at 3.5mA
Won't work off a passive splitter or a mixer without phantom. Check every channel it might land on.
Detail 05
7 mV/Pa sensitivity
Hotter output than most stage dynamics. Set gain lower at the preamp than you would with a dynamic mic.
Detail 06
396g weight, 199mm long
Heavier than a standard handheld. Noticeable on a long set held one-handed.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01No cable, clip or case mentioned — budget for an XLR and a mic clip
- 02Confirm your board supplies 48V on the channel you'll use
- 03Condensers pick up handling noise more than dynamics — technique matters
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Can I use this in the studio, not just live?
Yes. It's a large-diaphragm condenser with a full 40Hz–20kHz response, so it records well. It's built as a handheld, so you'll want a clip or stand mount.
02Does it need phantom power?
Yes, 48V at 3.5mA. There's no battery option. If your mixer or interface can't supply phantom on that channel, the mic won't pass signal.
03What's the difference between the cardioid and super-cardioid settings?
Cardioid has broader front pickup and rejects directly behind. Super-cardioid is tighter up front but picks up a little from the rear — reposition wedges accordingly.
04When do I use the pre-attenuation switch?
On very loud sources. It drops sensitivity to 2.3 mV/Pa and raises max SPL to 152dB, preventing the capsule from overloading the preamp.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
4 detailsSound
- Sensitivity in Free Field No Load 1khz
- 7 mV/Pa (2.3 mV/Pa) (with preattenuation)
- Frequency Response
- 40–20,000Hz
- Nominal Impedance
- 50 ohm
- Min Terminating Impedance
- 1 kohm
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Pickup Pattern
- Cardioid/super-cardioid, switchable
2 detailsConnections & power
- Phantom Powering
- 48 V/3,5 mA
- Connector Microphones
- XLR-3
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 396
- Overall Depth
- 199 mm (7.83 inch)
3 detailsOther
- Maximum Sound Pressure Level Passive
- 142dB (152dB) (with preattenuation) Equivalent noise level: 21dB
- Operating Temperature
- 0 C - +40 C (32 F -104 F)
- Transducer Principle
- externally polarized dual diaphragm AF condenser microphone Diameter of diaphragm: 25.4mm/1 inch
