Years after this video, my ears have become more trained, and I have been sticking to the Sennheiser MKH-416 as my primary due to the noticeable differences when used in a controlled environment (as you can hear in the talking head portion of this video) - which is how the majority of my videos are still filmed. Deity still offers great value for a durable mic and similar quality when used in many environments (which is why I really love the side by side at 3:00 here), but my obsession for the best sound quality has led me to stick with Sennheiser.
Nice review. It's clear that Deity is going after a different market with their products. I like that Deity is taking feedback from the original Aputure Deity mic that had issues and tried to fix those issues in the S-Mic 2. If they release another model taking further feedback, the gap between the S-Mic 2 and the 416 will close further. For creators who are not making a full-time living off sound recording or mixing, the S-Mic 2 is a great option in a segment that the major brands have not addressed.
The Deity sounds great! I use the AudioTechnica AT4703a, which offers similar quality, but is a little less surgical than the 416. This means I can set it on a stand and record the audio for 2 people without any off-axis. Thanks for this test!
Sennheiser NOTICEABLY different. Deity is a great mic. IMHO if wanting to save money best to get an MKH 418 T(power) from the 80s off ebay. Mic is old as dirt but still sounds better than Sennheiser 416 (current model). Can even get an extra long 816 for Deity price. Can literally hear a pin drop. Not so much with Deity as noise floor is inconsistent. This is what is removing the crispiness from your voice. But if you want "new" it's a fine mic. Although new != better when comes to mics as we know. As far as the person reviewing...well that guy is better than both mics put together! Happy Friday broheim!
Could you recommend a decent Cam Mic for recording music live ?it’s for live street gigs (I think a shotgun would be fine as it would be directed at an AER Domino 2A Amp.. We tried using an Apogee MiC (just perfect for live ‘indoor’ venues but too clean for outdoor gigs) I came across a few cam mics on eBay that I thought may suit & well priced , sE Electronics ProMic Laser, Deity D3, Rode video mic pro & Sennheisers.. I’m guessing the Sennheisers & Deity maybe a little bright? Does a deadcat soften the high end detail more or maybe too much compared to a foam windshield ? I would still like to have a little street ambience. Thanks 🙏🏻
Prefer the Deity S-Mic 2 in every example. I really hate the high end boost the MKH416 has. Boosting the highs from something like 1k upwards by roughly 4 or 5 dB can get you that boost though and make it super close, and give the Deity that punchy "mix ready" sound. (If I hear the phrase "punches through a mix" that means exaggerated high end in my mind). That same boost can also add resonance to a source which is clearly audible in the shower and garage tests. The reason I think we perceive the MKH416 as being more natural is because we're used to hearing the high end reflections from walls during conversation, but that actually makes for poor recordings. Same reason I'd pick a vintage U87 over a C800G if I had to choose one of those two mics.
Dude, your MKH416 is a counterfeit. You said it isn't, but it is. You can tell by the writing on the barrel. Almost all MKH416s going in the $700ish dollar range are counterfeits.
@@TommyCallaway You sure about that? Check out your foam windscreen and the SENNHEISER font. Go watch the video(s) on RUclips comparing reals to fakes. Yours has the fake font. Sorry :P.
@@TommyCallaway I almost got a fake, but the seller was forced to retract the sale after they were skeptical (just like you) but then presented with evidence. This was on Reverb. Either way, something needs an explanation here: Look at the SENNHEISER font/lettering on yours, and look at the font/lettering on official photos of the MKH416. They are different. So, we need an explanation for this difference. Here are some possible explanations: 1. Sennheiser is or has manufactured MKH416s with differing fonts/lettering. Except, they only show the version that's *not* yours on their official website, photos, authorized dealers, etc. 2. Your version (your font/lettering) is the counterfeit, just like other resources say it is. There's a video on RUclips where they show a real vs. fake side by side, in hand. I'd link you the same evidence I did to the seller, but it's a YT comment. Other explanations: Maybe yours was re-barrelled with a fake exterior but the internals are ok. Don't know, but your lettering *differs* from the official photos, and your particular lettering is associated with the counterfeits. I know I'm just some guy on the internet, but maybe you'll come back to this comment.
Years after this video, my ears have become more trained, and I have been sticking to the Sennheiser MKH-416 as my primary due to the noticeable differences when used in a controlled environment (as you can hear in the talking head portion of this video) - which is how the majority of my videos are still filmed. Deity still offers great value for a durable mic and similar quality when used in many environments (which is why I really love the side by side at 3:00 here), but my obsession for the best sound quality has led me to stick with Sennheiser.
Nice review.
It's clear that Deity is going after a different market with their products. I like that Deity is taking feedback from the original Aputure Deity mic that had issues and tried to fix those issues in the S-Mic 2. If they release another model taking further feedback, the gap between the S-Mic 2 and the 416 will close further. For creators who are not making a full-time living off sound recording or mixing, the S-Mic 2 is a great option in a segment that the major brands have not addressed.
The difference is in the S (Sibilance) the top end of the 416 is clear, crisp and well tuned
Nice comparison! Thanks for making this video. Deity is the best alternative for the budget build, am sold.
This video couldnt have come at a better time. Ive been looking to upgrade! Old mic is an AT2020 usb.
The Deity sounds great! I use the AudioTechnica AT4703a, which offers similar quality, but is a little less surgical than the 416. This means I can set it on a stand and record the audio for 2 people without any off-axis.
Thanks for this test!
No prob my dude!
Photographic elements Did you mean the AT4073a?
I love the S-Mic 2. See them teasing the S-Mic 2S?
Yeah! I got to see it at Cinegear, it looks awesome.
Sennheiser NOTICEABLY different. Deity is a great mic. IMHO if wanting to save money best to get an MKH 418 T(power) from the 80s off ebay. Mic is old as dirt but still sounds better than Sennheiser 416 (current model). Can even get an extra long 816 for Deity price. Can literally hear a pin drop. Not so much with Deity as noise floor is inconsistent. This is what is removing the crispiness from your voice. But if you want "new" it's a fine mic. Although new != better when comes to mics as we know. As far as the person reviewing...well that guy is better than both mics put together! Happy Friday broheim!
The 416 is Crisper for sure, No Pun intended.
Could you recommend a decent Cam Mic for recording music live ?it’s for live street gigs (I think a shotgun would be fine as it would be directed at an AER Domino 2A Amp.. We tried using an Apogee MiC (just perfect for live ‘indoor’ venues but too clean for outdoor gigs)
I came across a few cam mics on eBay that I thought may suit & well priced , sE Electronics ProMic Laser, Deity D3, Rode video mic pro & Sennheisers.. I’m guessing the Sennheisers & Deity maybe a little bright? Does a deadcat soften the high end detail more or maybe too much compared to a foam windshield ? I would still like to have a little street ambience. Thanks 🙏🏻
"A $1,000 mic won't help you make better content." #SNAPPLEFACTS
Prefer the Deity S-Mic 2 in every example. I really hate the high end boost the MKH416 has. Boosting the highs from something like 1k upwards by roughly 4 or 5 dB can get you that boost though and make it super close, and give the Deity that punchy "mix ready" sound. (If I hear the phrase "punches through a mix" that means exaggerated high end in my mind). That same boost can also add resonance to a source which is clearly audible in the shower and garage tests. The reason I think we perceive the MKH416 as being more natural is because we're used to hearing the high end reflections from walls during conversation, but that actually makes for poor recordings. Same reason I'd pick a vintage U87 over a C800G if I had to choose one of those two mics.
Mkh 416 sounds so goooooooooooood
I totally agree
Deity is great for the price !!
They sound very very similar 😃
Where can I buy that mic stand
tough comparison here, to me the 416 sounds a bit electronic, a bit fake and processed, but the S-Mic 2 sounds a tad muddy and dull.
The 416 has a nice low end but the highs makes me wanna throw a deesser at it.
Mkh sounds crisper. I think the ntg3 is more comparable to the mkh416. The deity always sounds a bit muddy.
prety cool house! where u living? :)
Look at Senh 8060, sounds same as 416, but cost less!
Thanks! I’m in Valencia, CA.
Sennheiser is moisture resistant since it is RF biased. So in a damp forest I would stick to Sennheiser
Dude, your MKH416 is a counterfeit. You said it isn't, but it is. You can tell by the writing on the barrel. Almost all MKH416s going in the $700ish dollar range are counterfeits.
No, it's not. I didn't buy it new. It's second hand, very used.
@@TommyCallaway You sure about that? Check out your foam windscreen and the SENNHEISER font. Go watch the video(s) on RUclips comparing reals to fakes. Yours has the fake font. Sorry :P.
@@onixz100 Thanks for your concern! I've already verified with my reps at Sennheiser that it's not a counterfeit.
@@onixz100 I was curious - so I took apart my 416, observed the electronics and serial number. Everything's genuine. 👍🏻 Sorry if you got a fake.
@@TommyCallaway I almost got a fake, but the seller was forced to retract the sale after they were skeptical (just like you) but then presented with evidence. This was on Reverb. Either way, something needs an explanation here: Look at the SENNHEISER font/lettering on yours, and look at the font/lettering on official photos of the MKH416. They are different. So, we need an explanation for this difference. Here are some possible explanations:
1. Sennheiser is or has manufactured MKH416s with differing fonts/lettering. Except, they only show the version that's *not* yours on their official website, photos, authorized dealers, etc.
2. Your version (your font/lettering) is the counterfeit, just like other resources say it is. There's a video on RUclips where they show a real vs. fake side by side, in hand.
I'd link you the same evidence I did to the seller, but it's a YT comment.
Other explanations: Maybe yours was re-barrelled with a fake exterior but the internals are ok. Don't know, but your lettering *differs* from the official photos, and your particular lettering is associated with the counterfeits.
I know I'm just some guy on the internet, but maybe you'll come back to this comment.