Sennheiser MKH 416 vs. Sennheiser MKE 600 

A very important distinction is that the MKH line uses an RF polarized diaphragm which offers almost complete immunity to moisture problems. It can sit in the rain, which happens far too often with short guns as they are often used for audience pickup. Similar conditions can bring a DC polarized diaphragm mic, such as the MKE mics, to its knees in a minute.

nice video man. Was interested in both of these

I can definitely tell that the MKH416 sounds much richer, and is the clear winner here. However the MKE600 is a close contender. And since I'm on a budget I'm going to pick one up. Wonderful review, subscribed :)

Hey semper fi brother! This was the exact comparison I was looking for. Funny that its so many years later.

Great video Dude, you set a high standard for what a review should be,,clear, concise and to the point.

The MKE600 sounds like the 416 without the low end.

As everyone said, the 416 is no doubt a cleaner sounding mic. However, the 600 is exceptionally close for just 1/3 of the price, a great value for sure.

The 416 really grabs the voice and is full sounding - this is my preference if price was no object. The 600 sounds thinner somehow, yea, but nice that it can be battery powered. You mentioned that the 416 needs a recorder. The issue is that it needs phantom, which could come from a small mixer, like Juice-link, Beachtek, MixPre-D etc (not necessarily a recorder). I think you know that - I'm just clarifying for anyone that might not. Great little comparison. Thanks for putting it up.

Excellent video! I went with the 600. Thank you!

Amazing video Tomas! Really solid comparison of the two mics

I went with the 600 for flexibility. My camcorder could easily work with the 416 but my other cameras would be better served by the 600. After looking through all the different options in the $300 range for camera mics it seems like the 600 comes out on top in most of the comparisons. I will probably get a 416 at some point, they do sound great, but the 600 seems like the best all around option right now.

Hi, great review, thanks! One little note, though.... even semi professional video cameras can handle both mics because they have 48 volts phantom power mic inputs.

Good work devil dog. Keep getting after it. New audio nut here.

Thanks Tomas, I've used the 416 a lot at work and it is great but I didn't pay for that! The MKE 600 really does sound good too for the price.

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for doing the off-axis samples.

Good video. That 600 is just soo good at that price point. Blows the 1, 2 and 4 Rodes away in my opinion. The 416 is clearly a premium product, but the 600 is still so good and so versatile.

Besides sounding fuller, the MKH 416 clearly has more sensitivity as well (assuming the gain level is equal which seems to be the case).

Love this comparison between these two. I bought the MKE600 because my budget was short of the MKH416 mic. I've been using the mic mainly for Voice Overs. With in a month I was able to recoup my investment into the MKE600. Thanks!

Nice sounding mics. Interested to see how my modded Rode will sound. Decided not to go with a shotgun mic since most audio buffs say shotguns are a no-no indoors; however, since it's a directional condenser, I'm worried I'll have to sound treat my room quite a bit more. The sound is way more natural, however. Great video, Tomas.

great video. I own a 416 myself and love it but was just putting a field kit together for work and opted to get 2x MKE 600s for their versatility. You've shown here that the voice quality is also really good for the price!

I watched (and listened to) a zlllion comparisons and reviews. The Rode NTG3 always made me cross all other shotgun mikes out of my list. Until I heard the MKH416... and then I found the MKE600. I have to admit I cannot hear that much of a difference between these two. So negligible difference in sound quality that made it clear to me that the MKE600 is what I need for my non-pro usage. I only tried it indoors yet, and it sounds fantastic to my untrained ears. Thanks for the review, it helped me a lot.

I learned that the MKH 416 are the mics the Game Grumps use to record audio. Probably why I love listening to their show so much. They have two of them for both hosts. I am looking to get one to do audio for a friend of mine who makes videos. But $1000 is a lot to drop on my smaller budget. Especially with all the accessories I need to get with it. The pole, the blimp, and the coat.

MKH416 just sounds perfect IMO

This is an excellent review and demonstration of both mics. I'm especially impressed by the fact that you give the 600 a totally unbiased test. I use a bunch of Sennheisers and although I don't have the 600, I wouldn't think twice about using it for serious dialogue in certain scenarios after listening to your review. I bet if you had have done this as a blind test that many people wouldn't have been able to tell what mic was what. That's not to say that the 416 isn't a better mic in most ways, which I think would become more evident when recording dialogue from a distance in a more testing environment, plus it's also built like a tank. But you've proven just how good a lower cost shotgun can be. The one point you made very clear about the 600, which is something that can't be overlook or understated, is its self powering ability. Outside of a well equipped shoot, most people simply won't be using a phantom preamp, camera with phantom or external phantom recorder. You simply can't beat plugging a self powered mic straight into a camera for simplicity and ease of use, as long as the camera has an OK mic input. This is where the 600 is a real winner. Again, excellent video. Thank you. Cheers, Dave.

would have been useful to hear them side-by-side, one after the other. So we can A, B the differences more clearly. Maybe i missed when you did it, but other than that, thanks for the review.

Hey Tomas, I know this was shot in 2016, but thanks for it! I have the 600 and have been debating on upgrading to the 416... after watching your review, I think I'm better just keeping what I have!

man i ve watched tons of videos about them but yours is the one that really helped to make the right choice!

Holy crap, a clean room in a microphone review/comparison. You rock just for that! Thanks for review.

Nice video, I have just ordered a 416 looking forward to get it now!

MKH-416 does sound fuller compared to the MKE 600. But the difference can be fixed in post with the proper mixing. I would love to have the MKH-416 but I think I'm going to go with the MKE-600 and see what I get running it into my Zoom F8N. Thank you!

Excellent video, thanks.. ya a bit late to this party. Just a comment to those who have said "i can't hardly tell the difference" ...going with the 600. Although Tomas made if very clear, different mics, 416 is superior..etc.... what you don't see (er..hear) is this is a controlled easy to record environment.... if you get into more challenges, noisy outdoors, concrete hallways, etc......the 416 will provide you with usable audio everytime... there is a reason it costs 3x. Just trying to help! :)

Tomas!!! Doing some research on MKE 600 when I found this video... Great work! You're no joke! Thanks bro.

I think the “depth” has to do more with a difference in the microphones sensitivity. The 416 is a more sensitive microphone and it seems like there is an obvious change in volume during the change over. If you increase the volume during the 600 portion they sound very similar

Still relevant in 2024! I’m getting the 416 because of this video. Yes, it’s a lot more expensive and I’ll need a blimp, pole, and field recorder and my bank account will hate me, but it’s worth it for that low end and sensitivity

Man I would like to get my hands on these both :) another informative video man👍

Really awesome Review Tomas.. There is considerable difference between the two mics.. Both mics are fantastic!! Great video as always

Great job! Just picked up the 600 for $250

I think the main difference should be in maximum recording distance. If you are filmmaker and shoot outdoors, you need to place your mic further, so your sound recording field should be more narrow, and probably 416 suits better for this situation. Unfortunately this test can not answer this question.

To connect the MKE 600 to a camera with only a 3.5mm input you can use the Sennheiser KA 600. There even is a KA 600i that exposes a TRRS connection instead of TRS and thus allows for direct connection with phones and such. At around 20€ both of these adapters are about half the price Rode asks for their XLR to 3.5mm adapters.

Re: condenser mics and 48volt power: One should note that the 416 can be plugged directly into cameras that supply 48volt mic power. There probably are not any DSLR cameras that provide 48volt mic power... But there are audio input devices available for DSLR cameras that do supply 48volt mic power. One should also that the 416 has been in use for decades , and there are many older models that use 12volt "T" power. They are not going to work unless you have a "T" slower supply- (in case you're looking at buying an older mic).

Thanks Tomas, looking at both of these so this helps so much!

A couple things... One, when you were recording the two mics, I have to agree the 418 sounds more full. Take a look at the audio meter behind you (him), on the 416 its constantly going over the threshold bar and almost into the red. If you look at the 600 it barley makes it to the bar. Also this video and many more should have more outdoor testing of mics, also with and without the blimp and in wind. (Now I and I am not an audio guy) but most on quiet indoor sets will go with a condenser mic, obviously there are exceptions, however indoor testing may become a mute point for these shotgun mics. With that all said, This video and a few others led me to get the 600 over the 416. The real decision maker for me was I shoot on gh4. Now although i would use external pre-amp w xlr attached, its gives me that flexibility in a tight situation to record great audio direct into the GH4. Question now is it worth it to get both?

I'm from England and the price difference is quite high. Roughly £800 for the 416 (though you can find it for £680 second hand) and £250 for the 600. My favourite mic (which I don't own!!!) is the 416. I honestly think it's the best mic in the world. I've worked with many Neumann U87's and I honestly prefer the 416. Unfortunately the 600 just doesn't sound the same at all. As you said, it's a great mic and it is flexible and for what it is and how it works it's great for the price but for vocals only I prefer the Blue Spark which is even half the price of the 600. This is a good review but I wish you've made sample to sample comparison because that would make it even better.

3 years late but this vid sold me on the mke 600. thanks for a great review!

Thank you so much!

Thanks you for helping me choose the best microphone for my vlogs. I will let you know once I get it.

Semper Fi brother! Great video! MSG 07’-10’!

Sennheiser was way head of you. The MKH416T features a battery box with LF rolloff... this was the standard film sound set up when Nagras ruled. Easily converted to 48 phantom with an inline XLR adapter. This has been my setup for decades, and I still have yet to find a mic that's better for many VO assignments and instrument tracks. And you can buy the T on the used market for quite a bit less than the U version...

Very nice video. Thanks. I'm pretty late to the game here, but I might advise that if you use post EQing, you may get the 600 to within 90% of the 416 if you boost the lows/low-mids, cut the upper mids, and boost the highs all by between 3 and 5 db. Experiment! I have neither mic actually, BUT I just tried those EQ settings on the sound of this video - so it's not exactly scientific, but an interesting result. Cheers. 🙂

I just got an MKE-600 last week. Fantastic microphone!

416 is hotter, slightly more depth. Other than that, very similar sound

Phenomenal review. Short, informative and clear. Thanks.

Thanks for making this my g

Not really sure what you mean by "Its Phantom powered SO you NEED an external recorder". Regarding cameras, every professional digital cinema camera supports phantom power. Apart from that, professional film audio recording is always an external recorders to be independent on where the mic and the recorder stands in the field. So if you refer to semi professional equipment you should mention that. The Sennheiser MKH 416 is film set standard. And phantom powered microphones tend to grab more detail.

Jeez, the 600 sounds really thin in comparison. Nice video!

Great work, as always, Tomas!

i was living a lie using this mic from the side like a podcast mic ;)))) love you man keep on crushing!

Just bought a 600 for my camcorder ( which has phantom power) but considering a 416 for boom work.

Always enjoy your videos man! The MKE 600 would be just find! (within my Budget) Thumbs up!!!

Thank you for this video, I dont speak great English well but I understand the explanation of the microphone, thank you.

i have a pair of hyper corduroy pants… gotta drop the gain when i enter the room. thanks for the review, but please check your 2-5kHz levels. this audio hurt some.

The MKH416 polar patter in super-cardioid/lobar...

every once in a while when i google mics, i come across "compeer"-guy. awesome.

Nice video, are you able to do over the head (Out of Camera View) shots? So we can hear what it sounds like when the microphone isn't view-able to the camera.

I have never understood what is so special about the MKH 416 , sounds like part of the mid is missing.

I agree the MKE-600 is budget friendly close a little to 416. I could not find really different on both of two. much better if real world action so it can really find the difference. anyway a good way to introduce these microphone's

Solid comparison, I was hoping the 600 sounded just as good but it definitely does not. I guess you do get what you pay for.

I might get the MKE 600 soon, but I'm still torn between this and the AT 897

The 600 (which I have) is thinner but probably the more accurate of the two. While I might use the 416 for voiceovers, the 600 is probably the best for all around use. Thanks for this video, yes it was very useful.

Would love to hear your thoughts on the differences in noise floor, and handling noise.

he looks like G-Eazy lol ! Great video btw

Man the 416 sounds so rich. What a great microphone. But for about $700 less, the MKE 600 is a STEAL. definitely not as rich/full as the 416, but nothing a little EQ in post can't fix! ;) Great review. Would love to own both.

That's impressive. The 416 is over £700 right now, and the 600 is £200... and I very nearly couldn't tell the difference. Whatever the difference is, it's not worth an extra £500 to me!

The MKE 600 sounds on it's own very good, but after listening to the MKH416 it sounds very nasal.

I absolutely loved this video, keep it up.

Good comparison. Thanks for making this

Just by adding some compression and eq you can match the 416 with the 600 in post. Just make sure you really have some dope plug ins.

Appreciate the video… would be nice to see a more active A B A B A B comparison to get some back to back samples :)

Hi, thanks for this video! What do you think about the ME66+K6 vs MKE600? I'm confuse because the ME66+K6 is more expensive than MKE600 and I have the impression that the MKE600 have a better quality ..

I really am supersized at the quality of the 600

416 has the edge in quality but 600 has the portability w/ the battery. personally own the 600 and I'm loving it :)

im listening trough my Apollo twin X interface and trough my ATH-M50X headphones and damn boy u can definitely hear the difference in the lows.The MKH-416 is definitely better.

How humble

Ofcourse the 416 wins, but quite a few people don't understand the value in which the MKE 600 gives. I mean, if you think about it, if you're upgrading from, lets say, a $100-200 shotgun mic, the MKE 600 is one of the few clear upgrades over it, honestly... its just that the upgrade for that is the MKH 416 until its beaten by another shotgun mic.

Thank you! this really helps my buying decision!

One of the factors behind mkbhd’s channel success is the audio quality . The 416 is so crisp . I just bought the 600 cus am still a newbie in the tech business. Am really glad . Nice vid man.

i wish if you could show a comparison on-location, outdoor with dslr. still appreciate for the video. thanks.

Excellent, straight to the point!

Did you have the low cut filter on the 600 at the time? It sure sounded like it.

That's a great price

Hey man! Thanks! Great video, super helpful.

Great job!

thank you for your review！ it is very useful and helpful to me!

Very nice review. Thanks 😊

Thanks for all the great reviews Tomas! I'm interested in whether you prefer using sennheiser shotgun microphone like the mkh416/mke600 or a Sennheiser AVX Lavalier system which you reviewed earlier for general use. I'll be getting either the shotgun or the avx, which do you recommend?

Both are very good. Unnoticeable

If I connect the mke 600 to my rodecaster pro, would I pull off the sound of the 416 by add the effects?

Le volume of the 416 was higher so it's hard to see the difference. Also you should have put both one after the other to see the difference better.

Aputure Deity shotgun microphone is the closest to the 416 than any other shotgun mic on the market, and its 359.00

Thanks for the comparison!