Neumann
KMS 105
Handheld condenser · Supercardioid · 20–20,000 Hz · a rider regular
- A fixed high-pass filter (−3 dB at 120 Hz, free field) is built in to offset the proximity effect of close singing; there is no switch for it.
- Plosive protection comes from layers of steel gauze in the head grille rather than foam, and the gauze unscrews for cleaning.
- The transformerless 50 Ω output is rated by Neumann for cable runs of up to 300 m.
Frequency response
No response curve yet.
MicSense only draws a curve redrawn from a graph the manufacturer publishes — it never estimates one from the microphone’s class. No published graph has been redrawn for the KMS 105 yet, so the numbers are in the spec table below.
Polar pattern
Generated from the first-order directivity formula for supercardioid. It illustrates the pattern type — it is not a measurement of this individual model.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Neumann |
|---|---|
| Model | KMS 105 |
| Type | Handheld condenser |
| Form factor | Handheld |
| Polar pattern | Supercardioid |
| Frequency range | 20–20,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 4.5 mV/Pa · -47.0 dBV/Pa |
| Max SPL | 150 dB SPL (0.5 % THD; Neumann's footnote: THD of the head amplifier at an input voltage equal to the capsule output at that SPL.) |
| Self-noise | 18 dB(A) |
| Impedance | 50 Ω (rated; rated load 1000 Ω) |
| Connector | XLR3M |
| Powering | Phantom 48 V (phantom 48 V ± 4 V, 3.5 mA) |
| Weight | 300 g |
Specifications: Neumann specifications page · last checked 2 Oct 2026. These are the maker’s published figures for this model. A dash never means zero: “not published by the maker” means the maker’s documents give no figure; “not yet checked” means MicSense has not confirmed one yet. Spotted an error? Tell us.
MicSense notes
| Price tier | Pro |
|---|---|
| Introduced | — not recorded |
Price tier and “a rider regular” are MicSense’s own judgement, not the maker’s.
What it gets used for
- FOH vocal
- Monitor vocal
- Horn / brass
- Acoustic instrument
- Broadcast
MicSense tags microphones by the job on a live stage, not by studio category — so you can filter for “kick in” or “monitor vocal” instead of working backwards from “large-diaphragm condenser”.
KMS 105 alternatives: closest in published specs
Based on published specifications only — always listen at soundcheck. These are the microphones in the MicSense library whose datasheet figures sit closest to the Neumann KMS 105’s for the same live job, with the reasons. It says nothing about how they sound.
Not compared for the Neumann KMS 105: response curve not redrawn yet.
-
Sennheiser
e 865
- Same job: FOH vocal
- Same type: condenser (handheld)
- Same supercardioid pattern
- Same form: handheld
- Max SPL as high or higher (150 vs 150 dB SPL)
- ≈ 3 dB less output — add about 3 dB gain
-
Shure
KSM9
- Same job: FOH vocal
- Same type: condenser (handheld)
- Switchable pattern — set it to supercardioid
- Same form: handheld
- Max SPL as high or higher (152 vs 150 dB SPL)
- ≈ 4 dB less output — add about 4 dB gain
-
Shure
SM86
- Same job: FOH vocal, monitor vocal
- Same type: condenser (handheld)
- Same form: handheld
- Cardioid instead of supercardioid — deepest rejection at 180°, not ±126°: check where the wedge sits
- ≈ 3 dB less output — add about 3 dB gain
Compare it against the alternatives.
MicSense lets you put up to four microphones side by side — spec table, overlaid response curves and polar diagrams on one screen. Free with a free Squaresmile account.