Sennheiser MKE-2002 (c. 1974)
Documentation on the Sennheiser MKE-2002 is thin. Most of what survives comes from period hi-fi coverage, not from Sennheiser's own literature. It was a binaural recording system, essentially a compact alternative to a full professional dummy head. Instead of mounting microphone pairs in an expensive artificial head, Sennheiser put two tiny condenser elements on a stethoscope-like frame that held them over the wearer's ear cavities. The complete system included a power supply, a plastic dummy head, and a carrying case. High Fidelity (January 1975, p.49) ran a full equipment report on it and listed the price at $329.95, with a one-year parts-and-labor warranty. A slightly earlier High Fidelity note (November 1974, p.42) put the price at $300 and stressed that the whole system cost far less than a professional dummy-head microphone setup.
Sennheiser also marketed the MKE-2002 as their "Triaxial Stereo Microphone." Audio (November 1989, p.81) later looked back on it as one of the most ingenious - and at the same time affordable - designs for advanced amateurs. Studio Sound (August 1974, p.36) used it in test material recorded with a Stellavox Stellamaster SM7 recorder, intended for playback over open headphones. Binaural recording had known limitations, and Audio (March 1986, p.44) noted persistent problems with frontal and direct-rear localization. Production end date and the full product history are not documented.
Known details from period reviews:
- Type: binaural recording system / triaxial stereo condenser microphone
- Pickup arrangement: dual miniature condenser elements on a stethoscope-style headrest, positioned over the ear cavities
- Included: microphones, power supply, plastic dummy head, carrying case
- Price when new: about $300 (late 1974); $329.95 (January 1975 review)
- Warranty: one year parts and labor, shipping paid one way
- Manufacturer: Sennheiser Electronic, West Germany; U.S. distribution via Sennheiser Electronic Corp., New York
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