Stereo microphones such as the KFM 6 are distinguished by the sim­plicity of the recording technique and of the setup. Only two microphones and recording tracks are required, and with the KFM 6 only one microphone cable is needed.

The KFM 6 sphere microphone is the embodiment of a stereo microphone design using an acoustic baffle. It bears some resemblance to a "dummy head" and follows some of the same principles - but while dummy head recordings can provide excellent results, they are suitable only for headphone listening. The "Sphere" microphone was developed so that similarly convincing results could be achieved for loudspeaker playback. To fulfill this objective the microphone must provide not only interaural arrival-time cues, but also spectral-vs-angular incidence information. A further requirement was that the frequency response on the main axis of the microphone in the free sound field and also the frequency response in the diffuse sound field remain flat. (See G. Theile: "On the naturalness of two-channel stereo sound," AES/SMPTE Joint Television Con­ference, Jan. 1991, Detroit)

head-related stereo microphone for loudspeaker reproduction

very good imaging and sense of depth; natural localization, very natural sound

with qualities of a dummy head when headphones are used for listening

natural sound with superior low-frequency performance

for phantom powering (12 V or 48 V)

Accessories (included):

HKFM, a universal device for suspending the KFM 6 on lines

KG, ball-and-socket joint for mounting the KFM 6 on a stand

AK SU/2U, adapter cable (XLR-5F to 2 x XLR-3M)

Accessories (optional):

KKFM, wooden shipping case for the KFM 6 and accessories such as the mounting and suspension devices, other hardware etc. Dimen

WKFM, a foam windscreen for outdoor use in moderate wind. It has minimal effect on the sound pickup

(diam. 200 / 240 mm x 40 mm

XLR-5 stereo cables

Classification of the special capsules pressure transducer

Recording angle ca. 90 °

Frequency range 18 Hz -16 kHz

Sensitivity 100 mV/Pa

Equivalent noise level (CCIR) 25 dB

Equivalent noise level (A-weighted) 17 dB-A

Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted) 77 dB-A

Maximum sound pressure level at 0.5% THD 123 dB-SPL

Maximum output voltage with a load impedance of 1 k: 2.8 V

Output impedance 60

Minimum recommended load impedance 600

Powering 12 V ± 1 V or 48 V ± 4 V phantom

Current consumption per channel 4.4 mA, independent of the supply voltage; at high sound pressure levels slightly more

Weight 1.1 kg

Diameter 200 mm

weight of the suspension device ca. 500 g

Surface finish matte gray