Neumann KM 184. Part of the compact "180 Series" microphone range, the line consists of three miniature microphones with different polar patterns that meet the most common demands in both studio and live applications. It is the successor to the renowned KM 84, which has been used since the 1970s and has achieved great success in many applications.

Thanks to its optimized mechanical design and the obvious removal of the "modular" feature, which is unnecessary in many cases, this series is perfectly suited to tighter budgets and home recording.

The KM 184 features a cardioid polar pattern. This pressure-gradient transducer has a very smooth frequency response, not only on the 0° axis but also for sound incident from the sides (off-axis). Because of this, there is usually no coloration when making recordings that cover wide angles. Although the KM 184 has the same capsule as the KM 84, the microphone differs slightly in its frequency response at 0°: the KM 184 has a slight boost at 9 kHz, a feature that had already been successfully introduced in the KM 140.

The result is a tonal balance that is fresher and more lively than that of the KM 84, which has a completely flat response. This difference is achieved by simply making a small change to the capsule's rear opening, so it is not due to any kind of resonance.