Neumann KU 100

Dummy head microphone for a truly immersive sound experience

Binaural stereo microphone for a 3D-sound experience
Headphone playback optimized, loudspeaker compatible
Diffuse field equalized
Battery, external PSU, or phantom powering

Get Inside the Sound

The KU 100 is a dummy head microphone for a truly immersive binaural listening experience with headphones. Although it uses only two channels, its spatial depiction appears three dimensional and shockingly realistic. The KU 100 can be used to great effect in music and audio drama productions. Moreover, KU 100 recordings are loudspeaker compatible.

The Easiest Way to Create 3D Audio

Conventional recording techniques attempt to transfer an acoustic event into the listener’s environment. The result is often dissatisfactory because the original room is put into a second room. Dummy head recordings are a much more immediate experience, because they transfer the listener into the environment the acoustic event originally took place. Moreover, head related stereo recordings are truly immersive: While conventional stereo recordings are limited to left and right and, at best, a sense of depth behind those speakers, head related recordings create a three dimensional sonic image surrounding the listener.

The KU 100 dummy head is a binaural stereo microphone. Two omnidirectional condenser capsules are built into artificial ears mounted on an enclosure resembling a human head. KU 100 recordings played back over high quality headphones thus give the listeners an experience almost identical to what they would have heard with their own ears at the recording position, with stunning lateral and vertical localization and a breathtaking sense of space and a room decay that surrounds the listener. Immersive sound has never been easier: Simply place the KU 100 at the optimal listening position! Unlike older dummy head microphones, the KU 100 is compatible with loudspeaker playback, too, creating a stereo image similar to conventional microphones yet with a superior sense of space and depth.

Applications

Due to its natural and transparent sound, the KU 100 can be used for all kinds of head related recordings. Typical applications range from classical recordings and radio drama productions to experimental pop and ambient recordings. In addition, the Neumann KU 100 is also often used for industrial applications, e.g. documenting and examining noise in automobiles or work places.

• Dummy head microphone for immersive sound experience with headphones
• Loudspeaker compatible
• Natural sound with flat diffuse field response
• Transformerless circuitry for low noise and distortion
• Switchable pad and dual stage low cut

• Acoustical operating principle: Pressure transducer
• Directional Pattern: Ear
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz … 20 kHz
• Sensitivity at 1 kHz into 1 kohm: 20 mV/Pa
• Rated Impedance: 50 ohms balanced, 200 ohms unbalanced
• Rated load impedance: 1 kohms
• Equivalent noise level, CCIR¹⁾: 29 dB (23 dB lt. BA)
• Equivalent noise level, A-weighted¹⁾: 16 dB-A
• Maximum SPL for THD 0.5%²⁾: 135 dB
• Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% with preattenuation²⁾: 145 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL)¹⁾: 65 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted (re. 94 dB SPL)¹⁾: 78 dB
• Maximum output voltage: 8 dBu
• Supply voltage (P48, IEC 61938): 48 V ± 4 V / 6 x 1.5 V
• Current consumption (P48, IEC 61938): 2 x 3.5 mA
• Battery supply: 6 x 1.5 V (AA) “round cell”
• External power supply unit (supplied): 9 V
• Matching connector: XLR 3 F / XLR 5 F
• Weight KU 100 without batteries: approx. 3500 g
• Weight with carrying case: approx. 9500 g
• Height: 280 mm / 360 mm (case)
• Width: 180 mm / 390 mm (case)
• Depth: 220 mm / 260 mm (case)