Congrats to Sennheiser; the Sennheiser MKH 8018 has won Videomaker’s Best Professional Microphone at NAB 2025 in Las Vegas.
Built around a push-pull transducer design, the MKH 8018 delivers an extended 40 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range for capturing everything from low-end rumble to crisp highs. This microphone is designed for both dialogue-centric work, such as film sets and interviews, and environmental recording for nature documentaries or sports coverage.
Triple-mode stereo recording
A key feature that sets the Sennheiser MKH 8018 apart is its trio of recording modes. The Mid-Side (MS) option grants sound engineers significant flexibility when shaping the stereo field, which is especially helpful if you need to fine-tune audio width during post=production.
Alternatively, you can switch to XY-Narrow (LR-N) for tighter focus, which is useful in narrative scenes where you want to isolate a voice or specific sound source.
For more ambient situations, XY-Wide (LR-W) broadens the stereo image, capturing richer environmental detail.
Built for tough conditions
Durability is a standout element of the Sennheiser MKH 8018. It employs RF condenser technology designed to resist moisture and temperature swings, so the mic maintains its performance in humid jungles, cold mountaintops and everything in between. A built-in -10 dB pad helps keep distortion under control if you’re working with high-decibel sound sources, such as sporting events or live concerts.
There’s also a low-cut filter switch, which rolls off rumble and wind noise at around 70 Hz to keep lower frequencies from overwhelming the mix.
High-fidelity audio
With low self-noise, the Sennheiser MKH 8018 captures nuanced details that can make all the difference in high-quality productions, whether it’s subtle breath sounds in an interview or distant rustling in a forest scene. It handles a maximum sound pressure level of 116 dB.
Sennheiser has also paid particular attention to off-axis rejection, aiming for minimal coloration of sounds entering from the sides. This design approach can yield a more authentic stereo image, so voices and ambient elements feel cohesive rather than artificially blended.
Streamlined design
Though it’s feature-rich, the MKH 8018 maintains a relatively compact form factor, making it easier to attach to a boom pole or camera rig without adding unwieldy weight.
Additionally, the microphone’s floating, balanced output reduces interference and hum. Overall, the MKH 8018 is pitched as a mic that professionals can depend on for various types of content — from fast-paced sporting events to controlled studio shoots — while still achieving pristine sound quality and flexible stereo configurations.
Pricing and availability
The Sennheiser MKH 8018 stereo shotgun microphone is out now for $1,999.
