Last Updated on May 27, 2023 by Robert Mejia
Sennheiser Electronic GmbH is a Germany-held audio firm specializing in the production of high-fidelity products such as microphones.
Centrally placed in Wedemark, the company is represented in about 50 countries across the world.
Since its establishment in 1945, the brand has become one of the leading microphone manufacturers internationally.
While their products are somewhat pricey, you will enjoy their rich sound coupled with variety on the market.
Toad, we shall compare two of their popular consumer headphones and professional microphones; Sennheiser Me2 Vs Me4.
Sennheiser Me2 Overview
Available in black, Sennheiser’s ME2 is a lavalier microphone specially designed to capture vocals.
The mic takes concepts found in the original ME-2 and then expands them with a focus on the frequency response while offering full compatibility and RF transmission systems.
Although the ME-2 could easily introduce noise if its capsule and the transmit antenna were slightly over 7.9’’ away from one another, ME2 would be 100 percent compliant with the digital RF systems.
This model features lightweight housing as compared to the original version. It comes with an improved clip and an integrated windscreen.
Besides, the model comes with a cable length that provides sufficient slack for just about any given situation, at the end of which sits a 3.5mm Sennheiser connector for different compatible systems such as the XS Wireless 1 and 2.
The all-purpose mic comes with a wireless mic set.
Sennheiser Me4 At A Glance
ME4 is definitely not the most expensive mic of the two batches. But it does a great job at blocking unwanted noise from the surrounding environs.
Sennheiser ME4 is a Lavalier condenser mic designed for use with preferred Sennheiser bodypack transmitters in conferencing, live stage applications, and interviews.
The model has a cardioid polar pattern that minimizes pickup off-axis sound while enhancing feedback rejection.
The 5’2 cable is terminated with a TRS output connector for ease of compatibility with the EW G3 and G4 speech digital wireless transmitters.
Other than that, the mic is supplied with a clip for ease of attachment to clothing.
The 50 Hz frequency response reduces the mic’s transmission of the sub-pass frequencies from rumble to proximity effects.
Has high speech intelligibility
Is equipped with high-feedback rejection
The mini-jack is ideal for bodypack transmitters from the Evolution wireless series
Sennheiser | ME2 | ME4 |
Frequency response | 30….20000Hz | 50….18000Hz |
Connection Cable | Mini jack | Mini jack |
Cable length | 1.6 m | 1.6m |
Pick up pattern | Omni directional | Cardioid |
Microphone type | Lavalier | Lavalier |
Sensitivity in the free field | No load | No load |
Both mics fall in the same category as Lavalier microphones. They also share a few similar features.
But, each model comes with a few unique features that should largely influence your purchasing decision.
Let us take a detailed overview of some similar features that Me2 and Me4 share.
Similarities
Both mic models rely on polarized condenser elements. And while they have a huge difference in their diameters, they are small and compact such that you can easily hide their visibility.
Each microphone comes with a 1, 6 m cable, which is long to allow easier connection to a nearby recorder.
Both mics have cables that end with a mini audio jack
Both microphones have a bulbous design
Now, the ME4 is not the priciest microphone out of the brands available on the market, but it sits at the same price point as the ME2.
Sennheiser ME2 and ME4 have a similar transducer principle.
Both mics are lightweight and compact. This implies that you can hide their visibility.
These features make the ME2 and ME4 versatile for a variety of recording needs.
Differences
Some of the pronounced differences between ME2 and ME4 include:
Design
When you put Sennheiser ME2 and Sennheiser M4 side by side, you will notice that ME4 is bulkier than ME2. Both models are dependent on polarized condenser elements, but ME2 comes with a diameter of 6, 5 mm while ME4 has a diameter of 12.5mm.
Polar Pattern
ME2 and ME4 have different polar patterns. And this happens to be the most pronounced difference between the two.
While ME2 is an omnidirectional mic that captures the sound equally well from various angles, it is susceptible to ambient noise.
On the other hand, ME4 is a directional microphone that captures sound from the front and a little less from the sides and the rear.
It also comes with a pick-up angle that comprehensively faces the front while spreading to the sides. It can only capture sounds directed to the axis.
Output Quality
Another difference between the two mics is in the output quality. Sennheiser ME2 has a wider frequency response range of 30 Hz-20 kHz. On the other hand, Sennheiser ME4 has a frequency range of 50Hz-18 kHz.
For that reason, Sennheiser ME2 can easily capture lower as well as higher frequencies thereby delivering more solid bass and a more defined treble.
Maximum Spl Handling
Sennheiser ME2 and Sennheiser ME4 vary in maximum SPL handling. Sennheiser ME2 has a slightly higher maximum SPL, allowing you to take louder volumes with ease.
On the other hand, Sennheiser ME4 offers a lower self-noise level. The difference is highly noticeable.
Frequency Response Range
One more difference between Sennheiser ME2 and Sennheiser ME4 is the response in the frequency range.
Where ME2 has a higher frequency response range of between 30 Hz to 20 kHz, the iteration in ME4 literally narrows down to between 50 Hz to 18 kHz.
Such focusing allows the mic’s capsule to hone in on appropriate tonalities while minimizing the capture of various frequencies piercing high and low into the context of recording vocals.
Conclusion
The decision to go for Sennheiser ME4 or ME2 is based on whether you need an omnidirectional or cardioid microphone. Sennheiser ME4 is ideal if you need a lapel microphone, which implies that you will be in a position to control the direction the microphone faces most of the time. But if you don’t need a cardioid lapel microphone, ME2 would be your ideal choice. Its omnidirectional polar pattern is versatile.