et 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.
Thanks to its state-of-the-art transformerless circuitry, the KU 100 has very
low self-noise and can handle high sound pressure levels of up to 135 dB
without audible distortion and up to 145 dB with the –10 dB preattenuation switch activated.
A second switch offers three low cut options, 150 Hz, 40 Hz, and linear.
Both switches affect both channels. The KU 100 has a balanced XLR 5 stereo
output and unbalanced BNC outputs. Three powering options are available:
P48 phantom power, internal battery, and external PSU (included).
The KU 100 is mounted to standard microphone stands at the top or
the bottom side, with a 5/8"-27 female thread, plus thread adapters
to connect to 1/2"- and 3/8" studs.
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, CCIR 1 29 dB (23 dB lt. BA)
Equivalent noise level, A-weighted 2 16 dB-A
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% 3 135 dB
Maximum SPL for THD 0.5% with preattenuation 4 145 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, CCIR (re. 94 dB SPL) 5 65 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted (re. 94 dB SPL) 6 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 /se)
Depth 220 mm / 260 mm (case)