Sennheiser's MKH 8000 line offers three models and a range of accessories that allow for many extension and placement options. The Nextel black finish is camera- and stage-friendly, offering low visual impact.

Elegantly satisfies a number of needs with its focus on sonic accuracy and a simplistic, flexible design..

I have owned several of the Sennheiser MKH- series condenser microphones for several years. One complaint in live recordings is that they do stick out, in spite of their black finish. I saw a good deal for a pair of MKH8040 and decided to buy them.

These mics have remarkable clarity and response, and are well worth the price. My chief complaint is the self-noise at higher frequencies; while they do indeed capture sources up to 50kHz, it is bathed in noise that, when pitched down, is an audible wash around anything that was recorded.