Sennheiser ME80 vs. ME66

[Captain Pierce]

Here's my situation: the only shotgun mics my company's rental department has are half a dozen or so old Sennheiser ME80's. Now, from what I understand from searching the boards, these were actually a pretty well-respected mic back in their day; and certainly the times I have used them (for some odd live sound applications that I'm sure they weren't designed for ) they have worked well.

But, in terms of what the ME80 was actually designed for, we have only only blimp to put them in, and it is A) on its last legs and B) not even the right blimp for the ME80 anyway, because the mic (well, technically the K3 power supply) is loose in the rear clip that's supposed to hold it, and that can't be good.

We also have the Sennheiser shock mount and windscreen that they sell for the ME66, but no ME66 to put in it. (In fact, the branch office that had the pole, shock mount, and windscreen had no mics other than EV handhelds, which makes me wonder how the hell they ever got the pole, shock mount, and windscreen to start with, but I digress...)

So, I have two questions. First, can anybody recommend a replacement shock mount/wind protection combo for the ME80? I found a PSC unit that looked like it would fit, but not much about it here; and I went to Rycote's website, since a lot of people here like them, but they don't have the ME80 in their database.

Second, since I have everything I need to use an ME66 except the mic... I can't tell from reading the ME66 threads here--is it a bad mic, or is it just overpriced? (We're a Sennheiser dealer, so we can buy it for the rental department at dealer cost.)

Thanks for any advice you can offer--just trying to make the most of what we already have.

 

[John Willett]

Rycote certainly do windshields for the K3+ME80 - it's just that as it was discontinued about 20 years ago they have not bothered to put it on the website.

The standard Rycote Lyres fit mics from 19mm to 25mm and so would perfectly fit theK3+ME80.

The S-series is probably the ideal one - give Rycote a ring and they'll let you know which length you will need.

And - the K6+ME66 is an excellent mic. It's certainly not overpriced (the comment used to be that it was *under* priced), it's just that it has a bit more competition nowadays. But, talking to people who have used the K6 series in places high up above the Arctic circle in nasty conditions, it would still be my choice at the price.

 

[John Willett]

For the K3+ME80, Rycote suggest the Basket WIndshield Kit-6 or the S-series 450 Kit (I just rang them to check).

NB: Rycote has reduced the price of the S-series from today - the UK price is now £165.76 +VAT for all sizes.

The equivalent percentage reduction in your local currency will be in all countries from today. :thumbsup:

 

[Captain Pierce]

Thanks for the info, John.