What is a boundary microphone?

A boundary microphone, or pressure zone microphone, is designed to be placed against a flat surface. It uses the surface to capture sound waves without the phase interference typically caused by reflections off the table.

What does the 'S' stand for in MEB 114-S W?

The 'S' indicates the inclusion of a programmable mute button. This feature allows users to control the microphone state directly from the device.

How does the LED ring work?

The bi-colour LED ring provides a visual status indicator. It typically changes colour to show whether the microphone is currently live or muted.

What are the four programmable modes?

The four modes are Push to Talk, Push to Mute, Toggle ON/OFF, and Permanent ON. These are selected based on the specific needs of the conferencing environment.

Can the MEB 114-S W trigger a camera?

Yes, it features a logic output on the underside. This can be connected to a media control system to trigger camera tracking or other automated functions.

What polar pattern does this microphone use?

It uses a cardioid polar pattern. This helps focus the pickup on the person sitting in front of the mic while rejecting noise from the sides and rear.

Is the MEB 114-S W a dynamic or condenser microphone?

It is a condenser microphone. This allows it to have a more sensitive and detailed response compared to dynamic microphones like the Shure SM58.

What does the 'W' in the model name signify?

The 'W' stands for White. This indicates the colour of the housing, which is designed to match light-coloured furniture or decor.

How is the microphone connected to a sound system?

It typically uses an XLR-5 connector to accommodate both the audio signal and the logic control signals for the LED and button.

Is this microphone suitable for recording music?

While it has a high-quality capsule, it is specifically optimized for speech and conferencing. For music, a Shure SM57 or Sennheiser e945 would generally be more appropriate.

How does the MEB 114-S W compare to the Sennheiser MD 441-U?

The MD 441-U is a dynamic supercardioid microphone used for high-end studio and stage work. The MEB 114-S W is a specialized boundary condenser intended for permanent table-top installation.

Does the microphone require phantom power?

Yes, as a condenser microphone with integrated logic and LED circuitry, it requires phantom power to operate.

Gear article

Sennheiser MEB 114-S W Cardioid Table Boundary Microphone

The Sennheiser MEB 114-S W is a professional-grade cardioid boundary microphone designed for permanent table-top installation in conferencing and speech environments. It features an integrated programmable logic button, a bi-colour status LED, and a high-performance Sennheiser condenser capsule housed in a rugged white chassis.

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Overview and Design

The Sennheiser MEB 114-S W is a boundary layer microphone specifically engineered for modern meeting spaces, lecture halls, and teleconferencing suites. Unlike traditional handheld microphones such as the Sennheiser e935 or e945, this model is designed to sit flat on a surface, utilizing the boundary effect to enhance signal clarity and reduce phase interference from reflections. The 'W' designation signifies its white finish, allowing it to blend seamlessly into light-coloured conference tables or minimalist architectural environments.

Key Features and Logic Control

A primary feature of the MEB 114-S W is its 'S' variant functionality, which includes a programmable microphone button and a bi-colour LED ring. The LED provides immediate visual feedback on the microphone's status (such as active or muted). The underside of the unit features a logic output, enabling the microphone to interface with external media control systems or camera tracking hardware. This allow for automated switching where a camera can focus on the speaker as soon as the microphone is activated.

Operational Modes

The integrated button is highly versatile, offering four distinct modes of operation to suit different meeting protocols:

Push to Talk: The microphone remains active only while the button is held down.
Push to Mute: The microphone is live by default and silences when the button is pressed.
Toggle ON/OFF: A single press switches the microphone between active and muted states.
Permanent ON: The microphone remains active, typically used when external control systems manage the audio routing.

Sound Character and Performance

Equipped with a premium Sennheiser condenser capsule, the MEB 114-S W is tuned for speech intelligibility. Its cardioid polar pattern is effective at isolating the speaker from ambient room noise and rear-borne reflections. While dynamic microphones like the Shure SM58 or the Sennheiser MD 441-U are often preferred for stage vocals due to their proximity effect and ruggedness, the MEB 114-S W offers a more transparent and detailed high-frequency response necessary for capturing clear dialogue in acoustically treated rooms.

Target Audience and Applications

This microphone is ideally suited for corporate boardrooms, government chambers, and educational institutions. Its low-profile design makes it less intrusive than gooseneck microphones, while its rugged housing ensures it can withstand daily use. It is a dedicated speech solution, contrasting with multi-purpose microphones like the Shure SM57 or specialized tools like the Shure 520DX 'Green Bullet', which are intended for musical instruments and specific tonal effects.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a boundary microphone?: A boundary microphone, or pressure zone microphone, is designed to be placed against a flat surface. It uses the surface to capture sound waves without the phase interference typically caused by reflections off the table.
What does the 'S' stand for in MEB 114-S W?: The 'S' indicates the inclusion of a programmable mute button. This feature allows users to control the microphone state directly from the device.
How does the LED ring work?: The bi-colour LED ring provides a visual status indicator. It typically changes colour to show whether the microphone is currently live or muted.
What are the four programmable modes?: The four modes are Push to Talk, Push to Mute, Toggle ON/OFF, and Permanent ON. These are selected based on the specific needs of the conferencing environment.
Can the MEB 114-S W trigger a camera?: Yes, it features a logic output on the underside. This can be connected to a media control system to trigger camera tracking or other automated functions.
What polar pattern does this microphone use?: It uses a cardioid polar pattern. This helps focus the pickup on the person sitting in front of the mic while rejecting noise from the sides and rear.
Is the MEB 114-S W a dynamic or condenser microphone?: It is a condenser microphone. This allows it to have a more sensitive and detailed response compared to dynamic microphones like the Shure SM58.
What does the 'W' in the model name signify?: The 'W' stands for White. This indicates the colour of the housing, which is designed to match light-coloured furniture or decor.
How is the microphone connected to a sound system?: It typically uses an XLR-5 connector to accommodate both the audio signal and the logic control signals for the LED and button.
Is this microphone suitable for recording music?: While it has a high-quality capsule, it is specifically optimized for speech and conferencing. For music, a Shure SM57 or Sennheiser e945 would generally be more appropriate.
How does the MEB 114-S W compare to the Sennheiser MD 441-U?: The MD 441-U is a dynamic supercardioid microphone used for high-end studio and stage work. The MEB 114-S W is a specialized boundary condenser intended for permanent table-top installation.
Does the microphone require phantom power?: Yes, as a condenser microphone with integrated logic and LED circuitry, it requires phantom power to operate.