Updates:
- 1/26/21. Article/link cleanup.
Greetings friend and Welcome aboard!!
Before we get into the Sennheiser e935 vs. e835 comparison, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..
You’ve come to the right place!!
What I will bring you in this review
Today I will outline the Sennheiser e935, and then compare it to the e835 towards the end.
- Ratings/Price
- Specifications
- Summary
- Pros
- Cons
- Video Review
- Who this mic benefits?
- What you will need?
- Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- Consensus/Conclusion
- Similarities & Differences
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!
Sennheiser e935
Ratings/Price
- Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check B&H! | Check eBay!
Specifications
- Microphone Type: Dynamic. Condenser mic vs. Dynamic mic.
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid.
- Frequency Response: 40Hz – 18kHz
- Output Impedance: 350 Ohms
- Color: Black
- Connector: XLR. What is XLR?
- Weight: 0.73 lbs.
Summary
Don’t quote me on this, but I heard that the 900 series of Sennheiser microphones were actually developed by someone who used to work for Shure. The quality is apparent, as this rock-solid workhorse mic really delivers.
The e935 picks up where the 835 left off, providing extremely good clarity and versatility that is simply astonishing. It’s great for many different vocal types, and still has a warmth and natural character while also picking up subtle nuances.
One of the best things about this mic is its ability to cut through the mix. If people had trouble hearing you before, they won’t anymore! Lol.
Pros
- Clean, clear, and detailed vocals. Picks up the nuances of the voice including low and soft as well as bluesy and loud. Has a natural character and warmth.
- Good with many different vocal types.
- The treble end is very clear and smooth.
- Very quiet with good noise and feedback rejection.
- Good, powerful mid-range.
- Balanced without sounding thin.
Cons
- Sensitive to plosives, but a windscreen or pop-filter should do the trick.
Video Review
Who this mic benefits/Good for?
- *Female and Male Vocals.
- Mezzo-Soprano voices
- Alto voices.
- Baritone voices.
- Low tenor voices and low/dark voices in general.
- Quiet singers.
- High pitched, child-like voices.
- Hip-Hop music.
- Worship music at church.
- Playing keyboard and singing.
- Good for male vocalists as it has a low-frequency response.
- Female vocalists because it’s airy and clean.
- Guitar players (Acoustic and Electric)
- Celtic folk/rock bands.
- 50’s/60’s early rock.
- Acoustic duos
- Solo vocals.
- Vocals in a full band.
- Rock.
- Grunge.
- Heavy Christian Rock/Church worship band.
- Easy listening Classical/Folk Christian.
- Blues.
- Country.
- Dueling Pianos.
- Violins.
- Brass.
- Vocal communication.
- Song demos.
- Interviews.
- Jazz Flute.
- Southern Gospel.
- Full Motown Funk Jazz band.
- Jazz gigs.
- Band covers including Wilco, Rolling Stones, Mellencamp, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, etc.
- Guitar amping.
What you will need?
The e935 is a dynamic mic and doesn’t require phantom power, but you can still use it with a mixer or audio interface. What does an audio interface do? Just make sure you don’t switch on the phantom power and you should be good to go.
What people are using:
- Fishman SA220
- M-Audio Fast Track USB.
- Works well with a Bose L1 System.
- I use the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.
Outside of these, there weren’t a ton of people mentioning what they used. Though the M-Audio Fast Track got mentioned, I would probably steer clear of it as it gets pretty awful reviews. I used an M-Audio Fast Track Pro and had similar results. There are simply better options out there.
You’ll also need:
- A good windscreen or pop-filter
- Acoustic Sound Treatment never hurts!
- A mic stand
- A shock mount (optional)
An important thing to also keep in mind is gain. The e935 might need a bit more than you’re used to. That’s where the Cloudlifter comes in, as it will provide an extra 25dB of clean gain. So a combo of the Scarlett 2i2 + Cloudlifter would be ideal. You can also use this combo with a ton of different mics, so there’s that long-term value-added in as well.
Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- With the e935, your vocals will cut through the mix really well, to the point where certain consonants come out much better and people will be able to actually understand you. This was almost unanimous among reviewers. With other mics, you may have had to compensate by singing a certain way, but the 935 lets you come across more naturally. One of the most immediate things you’ll notice is that if people had a hard time hearing you before, they won’t anymore.
- Some people were saying that the sweet spot of this microphone is very large – that is you don’t necessarily have to be right up on it to get a great sound. However, there were others saying the opposite and that you must be directly in front of it as it’s not very forgiving in regards to moving around too much.
Consensus/Conclusion
An extremely rugged, durable, and versatile mic that has a ton of clarity. Cuts through the mix extremely well. Sensitive to plosives, but a pop-filter should cancel that out.
Similarities & Differences
Similarities
- Both are dynamic microphones.
- Both are cardioid. What is a Cardioid capsule?
- Neither have an On/Off switch.
- With both mics, proximity effect is more important. These don’t do as well when your mouth is all over the place.
- Both have an output impedance of 350 Ohms.
- Both are XLR.
- Both come with 10-year warranties.
Differences
- There’s more clarity, definition, presence, and warmth with the e935. It’s a bit brighter.
- The e935 has the ability to cut through the mix even better than an e835.
- The e935 is a little less muddy in the lower mid-range.
- The Frequency Response is a bit different. On the e835 it’s 40Hz – 16kHz vs. 40kHz – 18kHz. This would explain that added clarity of the e935.
- The e935 has a shock-mounted capsule to reduce impact and handling noise.
- The e935 also has a hum compensating coil to reduce electrical interference.
- The e935’s neodymium magnet contains boron which helps increase stability.
- The mic grill on the e935 has that beautiful blue tint, while the 835’s is all black. Also, the body colors are different. Black vs. Greyish Blue.
Final Word
While there are some differences between these two mics, they are more subtle than you would think. However, the e935 is a fantastic solution if you’re willing to spend the extra money. Just know that you could settle for the e835 and be just as happy.
SEE THE E835 FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!
CLICK HERE TO READ THE E935’s REVIEWS!!
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Sennheiser e935 vs. e835 comparison.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Looking for something else? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Which one of these tickles YOUR pickle? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!
4 comments
Have both. Cannot agree more on comparison.
e835 shines with male baritone and cardiod pattern is forgiving if playing an instrument and frequently singing off axis
Hey there thanks for the vote of confidence!! What kinds of music do you record?
Best live vocal set-up I’ve used so far (in 40+ years of singing live in different types of genres) is a Blue Encore 100 thru a TC Helicon Create XT pedal. For some unknown reason, these two devices (pedal and mic) combined are INCREDIBLE. I use them thru different mixers and different PA’s, so it isn’t the combination of other equipment.
Hey Bob!
I will have to check that one out!! Is it a newer competitor to the Senny’s and Shure’s?