Neumann KMS 105 Supercardioid Condenser Handheld Vocal Microphone - Matte Black Reviews

This mic rips on guitar cabs!

My wife and I have been singing on Beta 58s for years, (more like decades), be fore that we sang on the standard 58s and while I worked for a sound and lighting company in the 1980s, we experimented with a number of microphones that were available to us at the time. I have no complaints about the Betas. Get sounding microphones. But when I was shopping around I noticed the KMS-105 so I asked my Sweetwater rep, Ian Haas, about them. My question, "Are they worth that much more money?" "Will they blend with friends who are still using Betas?" I was told that my Beta Friends would be envious.

Singing through these is very much like "someone opened the door."
There is an openness, an "air" about them that other live show mics don't have. (At least none that I've experienced) I find myself "playing the mic" with nuance that was never an option before. Yes, the wife likes hers, too.

We play quieter, Great American Songbook jazz gigs. Our new mics are wonderful. I haven't tried these yet on a rock gig yet, but my impression is that if you're screaming into the microphone with your lips on the windscreen, you can probably stick with the Beta 58 or equivalent, but if you want to really sing using dynamics, this microphone with open a new world to you. Remember when you first sang into a Neumann U87, (or my favorite the U67)? Yeah................it's like that.

In every area, this mic outshines everything I've ever used in the handheld form factor.

A few years ago, I had some money to spend on a couple of handhelds. It came down to the Shure ksm9 or the Neumann. My research led me to buy the Shures. They're great. BUT, later when I got a pair of Neumann KMS 105s, I was astounded.

More clarity, better warmth, incredible gain-before-feedback, better off-axis rejection…

I now plan to sell the Shures and get a couple more KSMs.

I bought this mic for use on stage and it seems to be pretty much what I expected. I am not sure it is much better than a Shure 58 so if money is tight I would look at that mic instead. I personally like Neumann and have several other Neumann mics. So this mic was really just being consistent in a brand for me.

Absolutely love it. Quaility and clarity is superb. Pricy but worth it.

It was a hard choice but I am glad I went for the handheld unit . I think it is a little cleaner with great rejection.

The only mic I use in practice or on stage. That is why I have two. Can't see myself using any other stage mic ever. It is clear as it gets.

I love the I

The clearest and most beautiful sounding mic I have ever used. The price tag is high but the quality is much higher.

I have been playing rock "n" roll and singing for more than five decades. And I have used every microphone beginning with the usual standards: SM57, SM58 which I used happily for many years. Later I upgraded to various Sennheisers; and most recently, to the Shure beta 87A, which is, in its own right, a terrific mic. Then one night very recently I happened to hear a guitar player singer in a small venue using the Neuman KMS105. The sound on his voice was so good I had to ask him what kind of microphone he was using (something I almost never do) but in this case the vocal sound was really extraordinary. The prospect of buying... had always seemed somewhat pie-in-the-sky, unnecessary, (as I am not a full time professional musician), but now after this recent listening experience (and having done some additional reading and listening) the prospect seemed more realistic and essential for my stage performance. I am not a lead singer, nor the best singer, and my voice is on the thin side, tending toward nasal and squeaky especially when reaching for high notes. Immediately on plugging in the KMS105, and with my first singing, I knew I made the right decision, as I heard my voice with a depth and roundness I never had before. This mic is powerful and sensitive, with terrific frequency response, allowing me to achieve a wonderful range of vocal dynamics, even at soft vocal levels. I am totally happy with this puppy and feel that it was the best $... I ever spent. I don"t want you to think that I spend $... lightly; it"s a lot of money for a mic. But if you want the best voice you can achieve..... well, give it a shot.

Over 38 years of singing live have given me plenty of chances to try every live vocal mic on the market. This is by far the best. Some sound techs make me use a different one depending on the room due to it picking up a lot but 90% of the time this is all I use. Once you try it you will never go back :-)

My first instrument is actually my voice. I play guitar and own many. I record and own top notch gear for the studio. I use sound and lights and go for a pro presentation always. That said, why have I just gone with the flow for my vocal mic? Not any more!

I have used some of the industry live standards but always wanted to buy a mic that made sense for a strong vocalist. All too often the voice gets left behind with decent, but not top of the line stuff. This mic, the Neumann KMS 105 is such a pure sound and release to the voice.

I plugged in some of the usual standards, including the trusty 58. You know which one I mean. I plugged them in and then proceeded to test them side by side. I didn't realize what I was losing or adding with other mics will they were heard side by side with the KMS 105.

I heard covered sound by some in comparison. Others I heard a more brittle touch (not blatant, but just compared to this mic). As I went through each mic and then back and forth I realized just what this mic allows to really happen with the voice and I love it's sweet freedom for my vocal.

I used no eq to start with so that the sound was natural for all mics on a well crafted system. Of course you might choose to eq any mic, even this one, but I doubt you'll have to really do much at all. Such a great Live Vocal Mic, and I'm planning on testing it in the studio next. COOL!

I bought one of these in mid January. I've used it for small gigs and large. Back in the day I was lucky enough to have recorded my vocals with a (newish at the time) Neumann U47. The KMS105 (and the Rode K2) are the closest to the wonderful, rich, full sound of that classic that I've ever used...but THIS ONE is portable (and even withstood an accidental 3 foot drop onto a hard floor)...

I wondered whether it was worth the extra money compared to the C1000s I've been using in performance -- it is, IT IS!

This microphone was a tremendous upgrade from what I was using previously and can say that it not only replaced all my handheld dynamic mics, but I also put my other condenser microphone, non hand held, back in its box. This just became my primary microphone. Loving it!

I compared this mic to its competitors - the Senheiser 965e and Shure KSM9....Shure was muddy,Senheiser was nearly just as amazing as THIS Neumann. I ordered all three and tested them all back to back. THIS mic won in every aspect. But, let me tell you a little secret: plug this baby into Millennia HV-3C preamp.....Transparency of this mic + transparency and outmost authenticity of HV-3C preamp ( get their flagman ship devices, not 500 series, there is a difference and don't think I am being superficial ! ) = you will be mesmerized. If you want a hypnotic sound, do that.. I highly recommend it for live AND recording as well!
I compared it to my Neumann TLM 49 AND I SOLD TLM49 ! KMS 105 has larger SPL capacity than TLM49 thus TLM gets hot where KMS does not! Do try it on vocals AND instruments as well. I believe it is very underestimated mic with more to offer on top of what is already there...You are just not used to thinking about this mic for your other applications and I dare you to try!
I also figured out that some folks cover some of the ports on the bottom of the mic to create less cardioid and more OMNI pattern on this mic..I have not done that yet, but do look it up and see if and how you can do that..
Sibilance is not as much of a problem with this mic as with the other condensers..The lower freqs on this mic pick up are so much better than on other Neuman mics. I would always EQ my TLM 49 for it lacks lower mids and lows. I didn't feel I need to do the same on THIS mic.
If you are thinking about TLM 49 and THIS, then don't be afraid to buy 105 instead...TLM 49 is just talks and nothing special. It offers more problems, then solves them...TLM49 has a more narrow application use, and that is NOT A GOOD THING....Put an opera vocalist in front of it and start thinking about selling TLM asap... I did, and I sold it.

Great mic used properly the best for theater type stage were perfect vocal quality is needed. The mic pics up everything in a voice with ease. For that reason not the best for loud stages. But thats not a knock it,s just the wrong application for this great mic.

like many I was on the fence about this mic because of the moderately high price! I started out 4 years ago with the shure beta 58a, then 2 years ago I got the beta87a. I found the sennheiser e935 shortly after that on a black Friday sale for a really good price. but I remained intrigued about the Neumann 105 so I finally bit the bullet and bought one. plugged it into my soundcraft mixer, out to a Yamaha DSR powered speaker and was simply amazed at the midrange texture, smoothness and clarity of this microphone, with no EQ! even straight into my loudbox performer the difference was huge! Many reviews about the 105 point out the revealing transparency of this mic and that it will reveal every flaw, which I find to be true. However, this mic compliments my voice very well and makes my vocals sound better than they really are. I am totally happy and very satisfied with this purchase and would do it again in a heartbeat! Haven't tried it in a group setting or band situation as I mainly play as a duet with my wife in an acoustic setting, so I don't expect any feedback problems. If you want a mic that leaves them all in the dust look no further!

This is the most responsive mike I have ever used live. It brings a studio quality to my performances.

I was in the market for a new mic after using a Beta 87A for several years. I thought about just getting another one or even a regular old 58. Then I came across the KMS 105 and thought, "Wow, who on Earth needs a $700 mic?!?" Then I thought, as a singer songwriter, my most important instrument is my voice. I'm playing a $2,200 J45 up here and it's not even my primary instrument! Why cheap out on the most important thing. I listened to a few demos and of course Norah Jones uses it and she has the voice of an angel so I went for it. Every venue I play, the sound engineer says that it's the clearest most natural sounding mic they've had in the place. I'm overly satisfied with the performance and highly recommend it to everyone!

Here's the thing... When you expect a lot, you're generally disappointed. When you expect a little, you're generally impressed. Given the name, I expected a lot. I was still thoroughly impressed. "What can I do to get this guitar to have that Fender twang?" Ummmm use a Fender and plug it into a good amp. The same is true for vocals. "How do I translate my vocal nuances to the front of house?" Use your voice and sing into a good mic. I've never owned a high end vocal mic. Plenty of "high end regular mics". I've had sm58, Senn 935, 945, beta 58, beta87 (which friends thought would stand up to the kms105). I've been comparing the beta 87 to it, as it was the best mic I had. Seriously. No comparison. Bottom line - if you think you have a quality voice and would like other people to hear what you do, you're doing yourself a disservice by not checking out this mic. For 10 yrs with my solo act I've played through a $3k guitar, $3k sound system and a 100 dollar mic. Seems a bit counter intuitive since the vocals are out front. You do the math. After all, it's your show.

If you've got a great voice and you want people to really hear it, spend the bucks for this as soon as you possibly can.

Seems we all pretty much start out singing with a SM58. I certainly did. (Well if you sing anyway) I remember it well even if it was 30 years ago. I bought it used with a stand and cord for 50 bucks off a bass player who also happened to play my senior prom. I still have it and it still works like the day I bought it. About 12 years ago I moved up to a Beta58. A nice improvement to be sure. About 3 years ago I moved up to a Beta87C. No more dynamics for this guy. Condenser power on the stage. Yes! Miles better than the 58's. Well today I think I've jump forward a few mics, landing squarely in Deutschland...Berlin to be more precise. The Neumann KMS-105.

After getting it out of the box and snapping the obligatory pic I fired up my "Fishstick" and flipped open my fake book at random. Humm "Tequila Sunrise"...that'll do. I ran through it with the 87 first so that sound would be fresh in my mind. Very nice as always. Power down and swap out the 87 for the 105 changing nothing else. Power back up and get busy. The difference was astounding...in a good way. It's a tiny bit hotter than the 87 but not by much. But the power and clarity of the sound is akin to a large diaphragm studio condenser. I'll compare it to my trusty old AT4033 soon enough. Yes it's a pricey mic ($700) for the stage but honestly, it's worth it if your voice is out front in the mix.

I have been using this mic for over two years, It is amazing and I have no interest in any other mic for my live use. A bonus is that it is really good for recording both vocals and guitars, I have used it on an electric guitar amp and also as a second mic for stereo recording of an acoustic.

If you are looking for a high end vocal mic for live performances this is the one look no further. We have both the Shure and Sennhieser equivalent. For us this was the best choice. I only have two complaints one the base of mic is a little smaller than norm., but mic comes with clip just don't loose it. Two if you want this mic wireless it will cost you $8000, not in my budget but maybe in yours.

Last summer I was hired by a company to be the lead sound engineer of the second stage at a 5,000 seat outdoor venue in NH. That company also had me work as 2nd engineer at a nearby 500 seat theater that had been renovated and turned into a wonderful place where many national artists come to play. The pro pa system that was installed there cost over $100k. I can not tell you the name of the artist who performed there who brought her own KMS105, but one of her songs charted in the top 5 in 1995. You would INSTANTLY recognize her name if I told you, but then someone would owe her money, and I don't have a job so I don't have any to spare. My partner, the lead engineer, told me he had run another nationally known singer who used that mic once and he could not believe how good it sounded. When he set the house board for that show, (an Aavid SC48), he put NO eq on her voice, and no de-esser either. Her voice was silky, smooth, clear as a studio recording with not a hint of feedback, and when she talked to the audience you could hear every word. The only downside was when she used a drumstick to tap on the mic stand the internal shock mount of the KMS105 prevented 85% of that noise from coming through. Had I known that was going to be the case, I would have mic'ed her mic stand..! LOL..! Someday I will have the money to buy one these for use in my home studio and onstage. If you are serious about your vocals, especially onstage, save up your money and buy this mic. If you look, you will see many professional artists using it. They do because this is a PRO mic, no two ways about it. The truth is simple, if you are a singer and you are using a dynamic mic on stage, your audience is NOT hearing what your voice is doing. This mic will let you hear EVERYTHING you are singing, especially if you use a decent set of in-ear monitors, and if you can hear better you will sing better.

I found a write up that intrigued me a bout this mic. Couldn't find a bad thing written about it. Talk to Ryan and he said go for it.

My wife has used a beta 87 since it first came on the market and this is the best mic I have found for her vocals. Just perfect for someone who really sings and know how to use a good mic. I am using it with the Bose L1 Model 2 and it's a match made in heaven

WIsh I could have found a cheaper alternative, but this mic is well worth the money. I can now tell sound people just to leave the eq on the board flat and it sounds great (using it on a light soprano voice singing jazz and latin jazz). Great intelligibility on spoken word between songs as well (that was always a problem with a soft voice).

I'm absolutely delighted with the KMS105MT. Let me tell you why.

My sound system is a Bose L1 Model II. And it is generally situated 4-5' away to my side, so there is a potential problem with feedback.

I did not have a feedback problem with the KMS105--no ringing, just clear as a bell.

My previous mic was a Beyer M88. I used it for years and I was convinced it was the best. But I needed a 2nd vocal mic. I decided to speak to support at Beyer (they were very helpful by the way). I asked if I should consider another Beyer mic--an upgrade if you will. They recommended a condenser microphone, the TG V96c. I had one sent to me to try out and although the sound was fantastic, the feedback issues made it impossible to use (in another setting, it probably would have been just fine).

So then I went on line and started reading other reviews. The KMS105MT was consistently rated high--as evidenced by usage by a number of international artists. I decided to give it a try.

Out of the box, with no tinkering on equalization, I found the mic to be lush. The sound is natural and balanced--no artificial coloring. It sounds warm to me--there is no tinny sound. It suits my baritone voice perfectly.

So, there you have it. I have a new favorite vocal mic. I can't wait to use it at my next gig. I would be astonished if anyone had an issue with this microphone.

Sound quality matches the brand name!!

Like many other singer/songwriters, when I first came across this mic, I said to myself "I can't imagine spending $700 for a live microphone". After thinking about it more, I realized like many other people that I've spent $3,000 on guitars, pianos, etc, but yet the microphone and vocals are equally as important as the instruments.

Yes, the microphone is expensive, but don't forget that you're essentially buying a studio microphone, plus a live mic. This is an awesome studio mic as well as a live one. I've used this mic for my home recordings, and it sounds remarkable.

Worth every penny. Think about it seriously, and you should realize the importance of a good mic.

I bought the KMS 105 a month ago and finally got around to testing it today.
From the first minute I was blown away-
the sound of the 105 ( into my SSL channel strip) is simply unbelievable !

I then decided to re-record my vocals on a song which I had earlier recorded in a pro studio with a super expensive tube mike and a Neve input channel.

When I compare the two tracks, they are just worlds apart: The KMS 105 sounds ten times more musical.

Worth every penny!
(My other mikes go on sale tomorrow.)
Erik

I first came across this microphone while watching a late night show on TV, and the featured band was using the microphone. As I researched it more, I was shocked how expensive it was for a live microphone, and thought to myself "I would never pay that much for al ive microphone". Two years later, I refuse to use a different microphone live on stage. The clarity is in a league of it's own, and it's shocking that it's only $700. I'm an acoustic singer/songwriter, and I've spent $3,000 on guitars, and that's only 50% of my show. Why spend a fortune on one instrument, but forget the most important, your vocals. This mic is fabulous, and is worth every penny. I'd say the only downfall of this microphone is it shows every flaw in your voice, because it's super sensitive, and sounds amazing.

Enjoy it.
I own a Shure Beta 58A, 87A, and a Senheiser e935 as well, and if I combined them all, I still wouldn't have the KMS105

This mic blows away the Beta 87A. Smooth response, very little eq needed. Well worth the money. Fantastic sound!

I have always used Beta87's on vocals, but I finally broke down and bought this. From the first note to the last I was blown away. Even on a bad PA it sounds rich and smooth. My vocalists always comment on how nice it sounds in their ears or out of wedges. Totally worth the money. I tested out a KSM9 and this is a much smoother mic, and much easier on the ears.

I was skeptical that this mic was six times better than my trusty SM58. Gigging with it for a year has confirmed that it was worth it... clear, clean, with incredible body. Our entire band (five singers) has switched and the difference in vocal sound is noticable.

I've also put it in service in my studio for woodwinds and some vocals - very nice.

If you can spare the cash, do it. It's worth it.

What can I possibly say that hasn't already been "waxed poetic" about this mic. I was very hesitant to spend the moolah for this beauty thinking surely it couldn't be that much better than the other offerings for less. Well, with all due respect IT IS! It brings to the table (or rather stage) those silky smooth characteristics we have all become so familiar (and spoiled) with Neumann for. About the ONLY dissapointment is it is NOT immune to plosives as I sort of thought it might be. If you back off it at least 5 or 6 inches you're fine, but it will encure the rath of those sung "P"s and "B"s if you aren't careful as well. Otherwise it is nice and sensitive so unlike the dynamics you don't have to crank up the gain to get it where you need it to be. Solid as a rock and with that sweet carry bag (I even put it in it's original "hard as nails" carton to take it to a gig. It is pricey, but at least in this case it delivers.

I'm a lead vocalist. I've used the steppingstone method to get to this microphone. The pinnacle of microphones for live performance.

Started with a 58. Went to Aveda 58. Went to a Sennheiser 431 mark two and now this.

Every microphone mention is great. But this one is butter. I can hear every single nuance of my voice with it. It reminds me of the Sennheiser with pump and power. My light notes or as distinguishable as the heavy hard roll hitting vocal. This microphone does it all but sell popcorn at halftime! If you're a serious singer, live or studio, get it! You'll get past the cognitive dissonance soon enough! When you're here with this thing can do!! Love it!

I have been building my mic arsenal for a few years now and picked up a KMS105 about a year ago. I regularly use the Shure Beta87a, SM57, and sennheiser e935. I've even used a couple electro voice mics live.

Pros: Rated on sound alone, the Neumann KMS105 beats every other live performance mic. It's clear, warm, responsive, detailed, and sounds exceptional on live recordings. There's less harshness in its highs and muddiness in it's lows and more depth in its mids. It handles well. Mine was used regularly for years as a performer's touring mic and it still sounds great. Before eq, the SM58 sounds like singing under water in comparison to the Neumann.

Cons: the Shure sm58 is still the best live mic for almost every singer. A singer without much mic technique who whispers, kisses the mic, or sings out of tune will sound better on a dynamic mic. In a screaming rock band, the sm58 is easier to eq, has less chance of feedback, and will not be destroyed by spit, spilled drinks, or throwing the mic across the room. Some folks simply prefer to use the sm58 and will ask for it. There's a reason that Neil Young, Paul Simon, and countless other celebrity acts still use the sm58 regularly. It's durable, reliable, cuts through a mix, and is familiar to most musicians and engineers. Sometimes an old beat up SM58 is the way to go.

Conclusion:
Keeping all that in mind, the KMS105 is a worthy and useful tool to have in your arsenal, as long as you know the right situation to use it. I'm continually amazed when I see live recordings of some of my favorite acts and they are still using an SM58. See for yourself. Springsteen uses one on his Broadway show that's available on Netflix.

So far this mic has sounded fantastic and is very comparable to our KSM9's we've had for years. We really wanted to branch out and try Neumann for live vocals and have been impressed with this KMS105's clarity and response.

This is the second KSM105 I purchased from Sweetwater.
I had to try the Shure KSM9, but this was clearly the winner.
The critical detail in the mids is just so much better on the Neumann and the sound is more open.
I'm not a Neumann nut. This mic is just clearly better for vocals.

I work with an opera-trained mezzo doing pop, jazz and ballad genres. Her voice is sumptuous and rich in nuance, so we need something more than an SM 58 to capture the vocal banquet she provides. The Neumann has an even, clear response that is free of bandwidth distortion and accurately reproduces what she sings into it. It's a lot of money for those of us who aren't yet stadium acts but if your singer is good enough then the KMS is a good investment. If you don't want to drop 7 bills but still want something really good then check out the Audio Technica AE 5400; it isn't quite as good but it's about half the price and is a fine mic. The AT also has punch and clarity but does not provide quite as even a response.

very, very nice mic. clear and very transparent. a double-edged sword, this mic will bring out your best but will also show you where you are not so good (i.e. intonation). comes with a nice carrying case to pack away for gigs. tight pattern nearly eliminates feedback. this will be a wonderful live vocal mic for years to come.

This mic will surely beat any standard live mic like an sm58 in a shootout, but its simply impractical in any type of band situation since its too sensitive. It feeds back easily and often. Vocals don't cut through as well and it adds tons of low mid mud too anyones voice, which might be flattering on its own, but in a mix it just clashes with guitars and keys, and no amount of EQ can fix it. It's high end is sweet and smooth but also just too much, causing feedback. This mic is great for a solo singersongwriter who doesn't need much in the monitors, but thats about it.

I resisted getting this black beauty for a few months. After reading all the lauditory comments about how it was rich, sweet, added depth to the performer, had a sense of space....and the list goes on. I was using a dynamic mic previously for live work (a Sennheiser e845) which was no slouch to be sure. However it, as all dynamics required a bunch of gain to get it where it needed to be. Also on my male voice it had a darker quality which required some EQ. When I first plugged the 105 in I immediately noticed the lack of self noise, and then that rich character others had described along with a distinct boost in the upper register that allowed me to hear the upper area of my voice without even hitting the EQ. It is much less succeptable to popping from plosives (although if you are within a few inches and sing directly into it you can still get "P" issues. It is without question lighter than the Sennheiser as well. Overall construction is solid indeed. It is pricey, but this lends creedence to the "you get what you pay for" addage. I'm just glad I bit the bullet and now have it available.

I own both the KMS 105 and the Audio Technica 5400 live vocal condenser and I tested em on stage right next to each other through the same system, same voice, same time, same songs, verse to verse. The KMS 105 is an amazing mic and if you have the money buy it. I bought the 105 used on the spot. The 5400 is really, really good but you CAN tell the difference. A friend thought the difference between the two not worth the 200 buck price difference new. I think I might disagree., but since it was his 105, and I bought it used for a lot less than new, it was a no brainer. I later bought two 5400's which I use at my sound gigs and open mics and they work really well with most singers in an acoustic show environment and they have a slight dark pressence the 105 doesn't. Sometimes I wish I'd brought the KMS105 to some of these gigs though. I never feel vice versa with AE5400, though I love it a lot. The Audio Technica Dynamic 4100 is another awesome mic. All these mics far outshine the sm58 and even beta 58. I wish more sound guys and clubs were more open minded intheir mic choices. I

I was skeptical of the great reviews I'd read on the KMS105, and before trying it, I believed that other mics like the S1 and AT5400 were "probably just as good". I couldn't have been more wrong. Although it's not perfect for every voice, I have found the KMS 105 to be a revelation on my voice and on most others I've tried. Clean, clear, "air", and amazingly natural dyanmics are a big part of the reason for my enthusiasm.

I just recently got a copy of the DVD "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" and lo and behold - guess what mic they were using for nearly all the sessions? You got it, the KMS105. The other thing that amazes me about this mic is how rugged it is. I've read many times that "condenser mics aren't meant for the stage" but this mic has held up well over the year that I've owned it.

The bottom line is this - the KMS105 has the ability to make any sound system better. You have to try it to believe it!

I guess I lucked out -- I bought this before the price went up. But I'd buy it again at the current price. This mic has it all -- it's durable, and it sounds like a Neumann. If you are the lead singer, do yourself and your music a favor and invest in this mic. You will be glad you did. I use it primarily for my own vocals of course, but I've tried it out on about 10 other singers while engineering at a local club, and I've even used it on my bass amp for gigs where I wasn't singing. I didn't tell the singers I tried it on that it was anything special, and every one of them wanted to know.