Sanken CS2 vs Sennheiser 416

H

Hiro Nakamura

Active member
Hi guys,

I am thinking of update my gear a bit,
Wanna hear your opinion of which shotgun is best for me.

I am doing lots of ENG, news, documentary jobs.
Currently I am using a SD442, 302 with a RODE NTG2,
as well as with two letrosonic wireless kits,

I rent 416 all the time, but to be honest, I think it is ok, but not so great.
So... currently I am thinking getting a better mic than NTG2, I know NTG2 is a bit under the standard, but it get the job done.

I am thinking of either getting a 416, because is kind of industry standard, which I wont go wrong, but personality, I dont really like it.

SO... I am also thinking of SANKEN CS2, because it just came out, the price is slightly higher but I believe that I still able to manage it.

Does anyone used both mics before, what do you think about the SANKEN CS2 vs 416


Thank you all in advance for your valuable inpout


Hiro
 
Well, as you pointed out, the CS2 is new so there aren't a ton of people that've used it. Just my personal opinion though, as long as you only have 1 professional grade shotgun mic (NTG-2 isn't really there) you're better off getting a mic that has been around for a while so you know exactly what you're getting. Testing out a fancy new mic is better suited (imho) for situation where you have professional back-up options ready to go at a moments notice.

The 416 is great, the NTG-3 is extremely similar but cheaper (I tried both and went with the NTG-3).
 
Many have spoken the virtue of the CS3e as a do it all mic. I wish I had the $$ to find out. Maybe Matt will comment on this.

Grant
 
Don't buy an untested mic. If it has some sort annoying issue, you won't be able to resell it. Your expensive mics should hold value for years. Speaking of which, do try the Schoeps MK41 :) Not a hotgun but a very good video mic.
 
The MKH 416 is the industry standard and is an RF condenser that's safe in the wet - The Sanken is a normal AF condenser and these tend to attract dust to the diaphragm by electrostatic action and can go crackly and/or noisy in damp conditions.

Better than the MKH 416 is the MKH 60 and the new MKH 8060 (due very soon and already shown at a few shows).
 
Have you not considered the NTG-3? It is RF-biased, and is a formidable opponent to the 416. I ran with a 416 for years... love my NTG-3.
 
ggrantly said:
Many have spoken the virtue of the CS3e as a do it all mic. I wish I had the $$ to find out. Maybe Matt will comment on this.

Grant
Click to expand...

If I could only choose one mic and it was within my budget the CS3e would be it. That's the closest thing the world has to a single "do-it-all" mic.

Considering the price : performance ratio of the 416 : NTG3... there's no way I'd buy a 416 over an NTG-3. Call Guy from DVestore... he sponsors this site AND he'll give you the best price + if you need anything else he can make combo deals with poles (or whatever) to make the total price better still.

If your mic is in a blimp and you said it was a 416 in there... and was really an NTG-3... most people would never hear any difference, and the few that could hear a difference would most likely prefer the NTG-3 anyway.

The 416 has a slightly tighter pattern, which means it can pull a voice out of a really bad environment a little better then the NTG-3, but the trade-off is REALLY big changes off-axis... not just attenuation, but coloration... so that unwanted voices don't simply fade-out off axis... they change tone.

My point is that the 416 has the edge in a couple areas... but the NTG-3 has the edge in other areas... and yet they're both a good choice for all the things that made the 416 so popular, for so long. (rf rejection, etc.) The problem for the 416 now... is that it's twice the $ as an NTG-3. There are a lot of things you can do with an extra $500.
 
Sennheiser lowered the price on the 416 to compete, I think Trew is selling them for about $1000 now.

I'm not saying it's a better option. I believe you should try all the gear you're interested in before you buy and make your own decision.

I used a 416 (rented) for years and then bought one at a good price. Today, however, I'd pick up a different mic as my first shotgun.
 
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Thanks guys for your valuable input.

FORGOT COMPLETED about NTG3. It seems lots of people giving good comments on it.
It cost much less as well.

Seriously thinking of buying it.


Thanks a lot guys.



Hiro
 
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