Sennheiser 845, 855 and 935 - Educate me.

DavidE · #1 08-03-2017, 02:33 PM

First of all, please limit all comments to these three Sennheiser models only. I'd love to see this thread stay on topic. Thank you.

Now, I've done searches and read various things, but I'm still not clear on this. What are the differences among these Sennheiser models?

e845
e855
e935

Thank you!

ricdoug · #2 08-03-2017, 03:00 PM

https://en-us.sennheiser.com/wireless-microphone-vocal-stage-live-evolution-d1

The microphone voices are now available as capsules and this pretty much describes the Sennheiser Evolution series microphones:

e 835 - Everything else is just standard
•e 845 - More focus. More presence
•e 865 - Sensitive for every Nuance
•e 935 - Extends every Voice
•e 945 - Presence all the Way to the Peak
•e 965 - Live Sound on the Highest Level

DavidE · #3 08-03-2017, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricdoug

https://en-us.sennheiser.com/wireless-microphone-vocal-stage-live-evolution-d1

The microphone voices are now available as capsules and this pretty much describes the Sennheiser Evolution series microphones:

e 835 - Everything else is just standard
•e 845 - More focus. More presence
•e 865 - Sensitive for every Nuance
•e 935 - Extends every Voice
•e 945 - Presence all the Way to the Peak
•e 965 - Live Sound on the Highest Level

I'm not sure that really helps me. But maybe a little. ;-)

But what about the 855?

DavidE · #4 08-03-2017, 09:15 PM

Anybody else?

Andy Howell · #5 08-04-2017, 12:27 AM

I use the 935 which is worth the extra cash. Really strong especially on male vocals.

Revy · #6 08-04-2017, 07:11 AM

The 935 is a cardioid microphone, hears sounds directly in front and partially to the sides. The 855 and 945 are super cardioid. Only hears sounds directly in front. You have to be direct over, or in the pattern for the mic to pick up sound. If you move around while you sing, this mic may cause you some problems but will resist feedback more than others. I use a 935 and absolutely love it. It is a relatively hot signal microphone. I'm guessing 25% hotter than an Shure SM-58. I have never needed to use a preamp with this mic. Although I have never used one, I assume the 800 series would be more comparable to the SM-58's. Sennheiser makes great stuff. My personal opinion and others here on the forum.

pbb_ec · #7 08-04-2017, 09:19 AM

My only comparison is 835 vs 935.

935 is better in my mind - subtle improvement perhaps, but I've spent far more than the $70 delta for much less (or no) benefit on many other bits of musical hardware in my seemingly futile search for the mythical perfect tone...

Petty1818 · #8 08-04-2017, 10:34 AM

My buddy has the 835 and I have the 935 so I get to hear them side by side quite a bit. Both mics are very nice but the 935 is the better mic. It just has more clarity and a more professional sound to it. Again, the 835 is fantastic but I find I can plug in the 935 and start singing where as the 835 tends to need a bit of eq.

Goat Mick · #9 08-04-2017, 10:37 AM

My only experience is with the e835 that I'm gigging with now. Excellent bang for the buck in a $100 mic. Compared to an SM58 it is much more clear and focused. It's a very articulate mic and it doesn't sound like it colors my voice at all.

martingitdave · #10 08-04-2017, 10:43 AM

I only have experience with the 835, 845, 935, and 945. The x45's are super cardioid, as mentioned. Those pose a problem for me. I am not that disciplined a singer. The benefit is that those mics reject all the side noise and bleed, which is especially good on large stages with large groups. The downside is that you have to stay right in front of them. Evidently, the 855 is somewhere between the 845 and 945 in terms of tone and is super cardioid.

The 9x's seem to have more dynamic range, presence and high end to them. They sound "prettier" to me. I think the difference is analogous to the SM58 Beta 58 comparisons. I'm a tenor, so I actually like a mic that works for both men and women.

I did a mic shootout at my local retailer with whatever they had in stock. Took a guitar and used their JBL Eon One. I came away with the e935. I was prepared to spend up to $350. I spent $170, plus 15% off that day.

jricc · #11 08-04-2017, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick's Goat Whiskey Picks

My only experience is with the e835 that I'm gigging with now. Excellent bang for the buck in a $100 mic. Compared to an SM58 it is much more clear and focused. It's a very articulate mic and it doesn't sound like it colors my voice at all.

I gig with the 835 as well, and I'll echo every one of Mick's Goat Whiskey Picks comments. I demoed Shure's SM58 (a good mic) with the 835, and to my ears, the 835 had a lot more clarity. The 835 is a real good mic for $100.

I have to add, I never tried any of the other Sennheisers.

DavidE · #12 08-04-2017, 02:04 PM

Over the years I've built up a small collection of mics... I've been gigging with my Beta 58 pretty happily but I think my singer's old SM58 is causing issues and doesn't do justice to her voice.

I have a Shure condenser, but since I don't plug directly into my board I don't always have phantom power to run it.

I had an 835 and an 855 but for some reason never used them. I just picked up a used/near mint 935 based on everything I read here. I briefly compared the 855 and the 935. To me they sound similar but the 935 is hotter and has more high end, both of which make it more prone to feedback. I didn't compare them to my Beta 58, but will at some point.

My duo was hired by one of my favorite local solo guys to play his private party tomorrow. I think I'll use the 855 and 935. Not sure which I'll hand to my singer. I'm thinking the 935 may be better for her voice... maybe not?

Gutch · #13 08-04-2017, 08:44 PM

I bought a used e855 about 10 years ago, and it has been my go-to gigging mic since then. Output is pretty hot, but tone is very clear as compared to an SM-58 (my backup). Is perfect for my high baritone/low tenor voice.

I believe the e855 has been discontinued for several years -- I'd love to buy a NOS one as a backup if I could find it!

ricdoug · #14 08-04-2017, 09:22 PM

I own over 200 microphones, as I'm a performing professional musician and also a professional live sound engineer. My favorite personal performing microphone is a Sennheiser E838, which is the same as the e835, except it has a gold anodized barrel instead of black. It's a great match for my vocal and tonal range. My e935 microphones have better presence and work better with softer and medium strength female vocals. The e-835 would work well with a strong female voice, such as a Janis Joplin or Bonnie Rait style voice. The reason I own so many different types of microphones is that I work with a wide variety of artists and it is pretty easy for me to match a microphone to a voice. There are even some nice microphones available in the $20 buck range.

larryjoh814 · #15 08-05-2017, 11:08 AM

David, in my trio with one female voice, we all use the e935, with no issues using two Yamaha DBR10s high behind us. The clarity is outstanding, and what I notice most is the lack of proximity effect produced by the Shure beta58a I used for years. I can look over at my partners and even sing from the side of the mic and it's reproduced well.