Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 10 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (14)
$279.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (2)
$279.00
Amazon
4.5 (35)
$265.05 $239.94 $25.11 · All time low
Reverb
5.0 (6)
$236.08 New
$146.52 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (3)
$279.00
Thomann
4.9 (134)
$233.00 $229.00 $4.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£192.50

Average Price: $253

High-end/Boutique

$75

$201+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 8 merchants for "Sennheiser e 901". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the Sennheiser e 901, a dynamic microphone that's a perfect fit for bass drums, grand pianos and even Leslie speakers. This mic is part of Sennheiser's evolution series and is a testament to their dedication to uncompromising professional use. Its half-cardioid, half-boundary design ensures a full-bodied reproduction of sound, capturing every nuance of your performance.

Not only does it deliver excellent sound quality, it's also ruggedly constructed to withstand professional use. The integrated pre-amp boosts the microphone's performance, allowing it to deliver a very fast attack. And to top it all off, the skid-resistant underside surface ensures the microphone stays where you want it to be.

Key Features:

  • Half-cardioid boundary layer microphone
  • Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Sensitivity: 0.5 mV/Pa (at 1kHz)
  • Nominal Impedance: <100 ohm
  • Min Terminating Impedance: 1000 ohm
  • Transducer Principle: condenser
  • Connector: XLR, gold-plated
  • 10-year factory warranty
  • Rugged construction with skid-resistant underside surface
  • Integrated pre-amp for enhanced performance
  • Optimal for kick drums, grand pianos, and Leslie speakers
  • No need for special cable with built-in XLR plug

Product specs

Microphone Type Boundary Layer Condenser
Polar Pattern Half-Cardioid
Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz
Max SPL 154dB
Output Impedance 100 ohms
Connector XLR
Weight 1.2 lbs.
Included Accessories Storage Pouch

FAQs

Does the Sennheiser e 901 require phantom power?

Yes, the Sennheiser e 901 requires 48V phantom power to operate, making it suitable for professional audio environments and compatible with most mixing consoles and audio interfaces that provide phantom power.

What is the primary application of the Sennheiser e 901 microphone?

The Sennheiser e 901 is primarily designed for kick drum miking, offering a robust, clear sound with a half-cardioid polar pattern that captures the direct sound while minimizing bleed from other instruments.

How does the half-cardioid polar pattern of the Sennheiser e 901 benefit kick drum recording?

The half-cardioid polar pattern focuses on capturing sound from the front while reducing ambient noise from the sides and rear, making it ideal for isolating the kick drum sound in live and studio settings.

What is the frequency response of the Sennheiser e 901?

The Sennheiser e 901 has a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz, ensuring it captures both the deep lows and crisp highs of a kick drum with accuracy and clarity.

Is the Sennheiser e 901 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Sennheiser e 901 is well-suited for live performances due to its high maximum SPL of 154dB, which allows it to handle loud sound sources without distortion.

Band On A Budget

Band On A Budget

Kick Drum Mics - Behringer BA19A vs Sennheiser e901

Video thumbnail for Kick Drum Mics - Behringer BA19A vs Sennheiser e901 by Band On A Budget

Kick Drum Mics - Behringer BA19A vs Sennheiser e901

Band On A Budget

Band On A Budget

Video thumbnail for Sennheiser e 901 Review (HAPPY FRIDAY VLOG) by Jonathon Barbagallo

Sennheiser e 901 Review (HAPPY FRIDAY VLOG)

Jonathon Barbagallo

Jonathon Barbagallo

Reviews

PROS

  • Superior sound quality, especially for kick drums

  • Compliments other mics like E902 for a full drum kit sound

  • Very focused, mix-ready sound without needing much EQ

  • Solid connector, indicating good build quality

  • Works well in conjunction with other mics for enhanced sound

  • Heavy build prevents movement inside the drum

  • Electret capsule tuned for high-intensity sources

  • Scooped some low mids for clearer sound

  • Can be used beyond drums, e.g., for grand pianos

  • More full and open sound compared to competitors

CONS

  • Might be too clacky for some preferences

  • Not suitable for quiet sources due to hiss

  • Size may not fit through smaller kick drum holes

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sennheiser e 901.

Setup and maintenance

  • Inline pads can help manage preamp clipping without sacrificing gain control, useful for setups where the e901 signal peaks excessively.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The e901 has an integrated preamp with no external controls, which can complicate clipping management on certain desks like the A&H Avantis.

    Source
  • Phantom power is essential for the e901 to function correctly; improper power can cause signal issues, leading to peaking.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The e901 has a lower output compared to the Shure Beta91A, which may require different preamp settings.

    Source
  • In blind shootouts, the Sennheiser e901 and e902 outperformed the Beta series for multiple engineers, despite the Beta's popularity.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users experience cable issues that affect phantom power, suggesting a check on cable connections if peaking occurs.

    Source
  • Some users mention the e901 combined with the Audix D6 as a "killer combo" for live performances, suggesting a complementary tonal balance.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • For rock and metal contexts, a 6:1 compression ratio with a 30ms attack and 100-200ms release can preserve punchiness in kick drum sounds.

    Source
  • The e901 and e902 are favored for personal use, while Shure mics are often preferred in hire companies due to their industry standard status.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Sennheiser e901 Kick drum condenser Microphone - Mixdown Magazine

mixdownmag.com.au

The Sennheiser e901 kick drum condenser microphone impresses with its innovative design and ease of use. Its ability to deliver a raw punchy sound without extensive EQ adjustments makes it a stellar choice for any setup. The integrated preamp and cardioid pickup pattern ensure a direct and clear capture, while its setup simplicity—just place it inside the drum—eliminates the need for cumbersome stands. However, its specialized design may not cater to all recording preferences. Overall, it's a game-changer for effortless, high-quality kick drum recordings.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Blake Richardson uses Sennheiser e 901

Blake Richardson

Drummer

Between the Buried and Me

...
Verified via YouTube

Blake uses an e 901 mic on his kick drum. BTBAM uses all Sennheiser mics live

See how Tracy Broussard uses Sennheiser e 901

Tracy Broussard

Drummer

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Tracy Broussard - Blake Shelton - Tour Kit Rundown" by Modern Drummer Official, Tracy Broussard states at the 13:44 mark that he uses a Sennheiser e 901 Boundary Condenser Microphone inside his kick drum.

See how Brian Blakes uses Sennheiser e 901

Brian Blakes

Drummer

Real Friends

...
Verified via Sennheiser

acording to the senhieser website real friends uses e 901 mics for thier kick drum

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sennheiser e 901, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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