Sennheiser E609 vs. E906 [Complete Comparison]

(Last Updated On: November 23, 2022)

Are you looking to purchase a new instrument microphone from Sennheiser but are confused between the E609 and the E906? Both are great microphones from a fantastic company and unquestionably look quite similar. So which one should you buy? We will compare the two mics’ specifications, similarities, and differences and reveal the winner and why that mic ended up with the winning title.

The Sennheiser E609 and the E906 are two instruments (mainly guitar) microphones from Sennheiser’s “Evolution” series that focus on delivering the perfect live sound for its customers. They’re both excellent mics to use live on stage for recording electric and acoustic guitars. You can even use them to record different drums and percussions. Both share similar features and the same flat-shaped design, but the differences between them could make you favor one microphone over the other. Nevertheless, whichever microphone you choose, be sure that you won’t be disappointed with the results, as Sennheiser is one of the best audio companies in the world and has been delivering high-quality gear for decades.

Sennheiser E609 vs. E906 – Comparison Table

Microphone	Sennheiser E609	Sennheiser E906
Type of Microphone	Dynamic	Dynamic
Pickup Pattern	Super-cardioid	Super-cardioid
Frequency Response	40 Hz – 15000 Hz	40 Hz – 18000 Hz
Color	Silver, Black.	Black
Output Impedance	350 Ohm	350 Ohm
Weight	0.3 lbs.	0.3 lbs.
Connector	XLR-3	XLR-3

1. Sennheiser E609

The E609 is a dynamic microphone explicitly designed by Sennheiser for instrument use and, more specifically, miking guitars amps. Due to its affordability and functionality, it has frequently been compared to the Shure SM57 and is still among the greatest guitar mics available on the market today.

Main Specifications

The Sennheiser E609 is a super-cardioid dynamic microphone, meaning that it has a directional pickup pattern that is more sensitive than a cardioid microphone and can capture sounds coming from a wider variety of directions. In addition to rejecting more background noise than a cardioid pickup pattern, a super-cardioid microphone is more adaptable and more suitable for live performances.

The E609 has the additional benefit of being a very lightweight microphone, weighing only 0.3 lbs., making it perfect for travel and touring.

It has a frequency response of 40 Hz – 15 kHz, which is a wide enough range to pick up many instruments, sensitivity (free field) at 1.5 mV/Pa at 1 kHz, and an impedance of 350 Ohm.

Features

• Hum Compensating Coil.
• Advanced shock-mount design.
• Robust metal body.
• Super-cardioid pick-up pattern.

Build Quality

The E609 has a robust metal dome, a lightweight voice coil, and a capsule that was developed primarily for close-range guitar amp miking. It has a flat shape and is available in silver and black.

Sound Quality

Despite being made for guitar use, the E609 works incredibly well as a live-stream microphone. It can be used for podcasts, Twitch streaming, gaming, and other events. However, because this microphone was designed for recording instruments rather than vocalists, it is not a very good option for recording artists’ vocals in more professional settings.

It provides a crisp, clear sound with a nice low end but might struggle with the high frequencies as the frequency response of this mic reaches a maximum of 14 000 Hz. It does a great job handling high sound pressure levels without distortion or noise.

Practical Use

The E609 is the ideal microphone for recording guitar amps. It offers a broad frequency range that can accommodate both electric and acoustic guitars. Additionally, it does a great job recording drums, especially toms. In terms of vocal recordings, it is not recommended to use the E609 to record your next hit; instead, you might want to stick with using it for simpler tasks, such as podcasting, gaming, and live streaming.

Price & Value for Money

You can get the E609 for less than $100, making it an incredibly affordable mic that will unquestionably get the job done. Sennheiser is one of the best audio gear companies in the world, so you will undoubtedly get your money’s worth purchasing the E609.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Affordable.
• Super-cardioid pick-up pattern.
• No distortion and noise.
• Wide frequency response.
• High-quality and clear sound.
• Lightweight.

Cons:

• Build quality is okay.
• Basic design with minimal user controls.

2. Sennheiser E906

Another top-notch microphone made specifically for recording instruments is the Sennheiser E906. You can use it to record guitars, drums, percussions, and even horns. Many artists and musicians like Blake Shelton and Jack White use this mic to record their instruments while performing live on stage.

Main Specifications

The Sennheiser E906 is another dynamic super-cardioid instrument microphone with a vast frequency range of 40Hz – 18 KHz, and sensitivity (free field) at 2.2 mV/Pa at 1 kHz, making it very sensitive to a large variety of instruments.

The E906 is a very lightweight microphone, weighing only 0.3 lbs., just like its little brother, the E609.

It has a nominal impedance of 350 Ohm and a min. Terminating impedance of 1000 Ohm.

Features

• Hum compensating coil.
• Very fast attack.
• Three Position Presence filter switches: hi boost, flat, and hi-cut.
• Robust metal body.
• Super-cardioid pick-up pattern.
• Full, clear sound.

Build quality

The E906 is flat-shaped with a rugged metal body, making it very durable and unlikely to be destroyed even after frequent use, tossing it around, or accidentally dropping it. You can find the E906 in black.

Sound Quality

With its three-position presence filter switches, the E906 delivers three different sound characteristics, allowing you to choose between bright, moderate, or dark vibes, and provides a rich and clear sound quality. It does a fantastic job removing distortion and noise due to its hum-compensating coil and is perfect to use for many instruments other than guitars because of the 40 Hz – 18 000 Hz frequency range it offers. You will love recording your instruments with this microphone, as it truly delivers incredible results.

Practical Use

This microphone was mainly designed for instrument use. You can record your guitars, drums, different types of percussions, and horns. We wouldn’t recommend using it to record vocals as it might not catch all the high frequencies coming from a human voice. Nothing is stopping you from recording your vocals, of course, but it’s best used for simple tasks such as live streaming, gaming, and podcasting, as it was not intended for vocal recordings when it was first created.

Price & Value for Money

Even though the E906 costs twice as much as the E609, it’s definitely worth the money. Not only are you getting a versatile microphone with a broader frequency response that allows you to record more instruments and have plenty of options, but the sound is incredibly clear and full. Additionally, you get to pick whichever sound characteristic you want from your instrument using the mic’s three filter switches. So, yes, we have to say that you will be getting a top-notch mic once you purchase the E906.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Affordable.
• Versatile.
• Three Position Presence filter switches for three different sound characteristics.
• Super-cardioid pick-up pattern.
• No distortion and hums.
• High sound pressure level.
• Very wide frequency response.
• High-quality and clear sound.
• Lightweight.

Cons:

• Build quality is okay.

Similarities & Differences

Similarities:

• Both microphones are dynamic, super-cardioid mics.
• Both microphones were mainly designed for recording guitars.
• Both offer a clear, high-quality sound.
• Same output impedance of 350 Ohm.
• They weigh nearly the same at 0.3 lbs.
• They both use an XLR-3 to connect.
• They’re both from the “Evolution” series of Sennheiser.
• Both feature a hum-compensating coil and the same flat-shaped design with a metal body.
• Both are available in black.

Differences:

• The E609 has a frequency response of 40 Hz – 15000 Hz, while the E906 has a wider response of 40 Hz – 18000 Hz.
• The E609 is mainly designed to record guitars, while the E906 offers a wider variety of instruments to record, such as drums, percussions, and horns.
• The E609 lacks user controls, such as the three-position presence filter switches that the E906 has, allowing for three different sound characteristics.
• The E906 is worth twice as much as the E609.
• The E906 does a better job of not picking up unwanted noise.

Sennheiser E609 vs. E906 – Final Verdict

There is a clear winner in this comparison: the E906. Yes, we are aware that it costs almost twice as much as the E609, but there is a valid reason for this. Simply said, the E906 is significantly more versatile compared to the E609. The wider frequency range it has allows you to record more instruments than the E609 and doesn’t limit you to just recording guitars. Additionally, the three filter switches provide additional user control, allowing you to tweak your sound in any way you choose.

And even though they both share a significant number of similarities, it’s the differences that led to the great victory of the E906. So, if you have the budget, go for the E906. If not, the E609 will temporarily do the job until you move on to the more professional option, which is the E906.