Sennheiser HME 26 Broadcast Headset, Electret Mic
Sennheiser HME 26 Professional Dual-Sided On-Ear Broadcast Headset The Sennheiser HME 26 is a premium, lightweight closed-back supra-aural (on-ear) broadcast headset designed specifically for professional commentators, radio personalities, and television studio operators. While the dynamic version (HMD series) is built for high-noise sports arenas, the "E" designation specifies that this model is outfitted with a high-performance electret condenser microphone capsule. This configuration provides an extended high-frequency tracking curve and excellent transient response, matching the clarity of standalone studio microphones while maintaining the comfort of a lightweight boomset. Key Acoustic and Operational Attributes Pre-Polarized Electret Capsule Integration: Powered by an elite condenser element optimized specifically for high-definition vocal tracking ($40\text{ Hz}$ to $20,000\text{ Hz}$). Its high sensitivity ensures crystal-clear speech articulation, making it highly favored for quiet control rooms and outdoor news reporting. Highly Directional Cardioid Pattern: The microphone boom utilizes a unidirectional cardioid pickup arc. It isolates the presenter's voice while rejecting off-axis background room reflections and noise, significantly reducing the risk of acoustic feedback loop issues near studio monitor speakers. Triple-Setting ActiveGard Hearing Protection: Equipped with a built-in protective ActiveGard limiting circuit. Accessible via a physical switch mechanism under the ear cup shroud, it lets operators choose between three protection thresholds (Off, 95 dB, or 110 dB SPL) to shield their ears from sudden communication line blasts or signal feedback loops. Two-Piece Mechanical Split Headband: Uses an automatically opening split headband structure that spreads apart to shift clamping pressure away from the sensitive crown of the skull. A wide, solid padding wrap is also included in the box for engineers who prefer a traditional single-band profile. Swiveling Ear Cup for Single-Side Monitoring: Built with a heavy-duty mechanical hinge that allows the active ear cups to be flipped away from either ear instantly. This enables single-ear tracking of local venue cues without removing the entire headset. Modular Cable-II Architecture Base: Ships directly from the factory without an attached cable. The headset features a specialized multi-pin connector socket at the base of the cup, enabling seamless integration with Sennheiser's Cable-II series (such as the XLR-3/1/4" combo or XLR-4F variants). Technical Specifications Matrix Feature Parameter Hardware Specification Profile Model Reference Name HME 26 (Dual-Sided Electret) Global Design Concept Dual-Sided Ear Cups / Closed-Back / Supra-Aural Headphone Driver Impedance 64 Ohms (Standard Variant) Headphone Audio Response 6 Hz to 18,000 Hz Headphone Output Sensitivity 105 dB SPL at 1 kHz, 1 mW Microphone Transducer Type Pre-Polarized Electret Condenser Microphone Pickup Pattern Cardioid (Unidirectional) Microphone Audio Response 40 Hz to 20,000 Hz Microphone Open-Circuit Sensitivity 16 mV/Pa ActiveGard Protection Modes Switchable: Off / 95 dB SPL / 110 dB SPL Net Structural Weight (No Cable) Ultra-lightweight 200 grams (7.05 oz) In the Box: Production Package Inventory 1 x Sennheiser HME 26 Dual-Sided Headset 1 x Broad Single Headband Converting Cushion 1 x High-Density Foam Microphone Windscreen 1 x HZS 11 Cable Attachment Anchor Clip 1 x Soft Protective Fabric Drawstring Pouch 1 x Technical Operation Manual (Note: Connection cables are sold separately according to studio connection types). Field Configuration and Power Management Advice Supplying Bias Power to the Electret Capsule: Because the HME 26 utilizes a condenser microphone element rather than a dynamic one, the capsule requires electrical bias power to operate. When using standard combination cables (like the Cable II-X3K1), ensure that P12 to P48 Phantom Power is turned on at your audio console, camera body, or intercom base station. If phantom power is turned off on that channel, the dual-sided headphones will still play monitoring audio perfectly, but the microphone will not register a signal. Precise Mechanical Boom Adjustments: The flexible microphone boom arm can be swiveled 270 degrees, allowing the headset to be worn with the microphone extending from either the left or right ear cup. For clean vocal tracking without air interference, use the flexible middle portion of the boom to place the capsule roughly 2 centimeters out from the side of your mouth, ensuring the mic grille faces toward your lips rather than straight ahead. This prevents sudden breath blasts from causing low-frequency vocal popping on your broadcast line.