[Martin Ucik]

The MKH416 (list US $1957) and MKH60 (list US $2700) are mono microphones. The Sanken CMS-10 (list $2290) is a MS Stereo Microphone (2 capsules) with a build-in decoder that gives you a Mono/Stereo output option via a switch. It was especially designed for NHK for use on HD cameras with the goal of being very short (210 mm) so not to obstruct the view of the lens, with excellent rear and side rejection to minimize background and camera noise, and to plug directly into the 5-pin connector of the HD camera (an adapter to 2 x 3-pin XLR is available). The self noise of the CMS-10 is 20 db in Stereo and 22 dB in Mono mode with a sensitivity of -26 dB in Stereo and -30 dB in Mono Mode. The Sennheiser MKH60 has a very low self noise of 6dB, the 416 of 13dB.
In the book “Audio in the Media”, Stanley Alten writes ”a fair self noise rating is about 40dB, a good rating around 30dB and excellent is about 20 dB or less.”
It is natural that a complex specialty microphone with 2 capsules such as the CMS-10 with build in electronics to do MS decoding is SLIGHTLY noisier than a mono microphone with one capsule (but still in the excellent category). So apples are compared with oranges in this thread.
Furthermore, the directivity and rear rejection of the Microphone might be more crucial in the recording of sounds in natural settings than the self noise of the microphone. Unlike most other Shotgun microphones (including the Sennheiser models mentioned in this threat), Sanken Microphones have practically no rear lope (don’t pick up in the back). This can be an advantage but does not have to be. It really depends on the situation, again apples and oranges. Microphones are tools!
A better (and fair) comparison to the MKH416 is the Sanken CS-1 (list US $825) which is mono, short (181.5 mm), low self noise (15 db), with excellent rear and side rejection and comes with a foam windscreen and rings for camera mount, or for boom operation, the longer (270mm) Sanken CS-3e (list US $1415) is also an option.
For a good article on microphone self noise visit https://www.prosoundweb.com/studio/sw/micnoise.php
Feel free to contact me with any further questions or visit https://www.plus24.net/sanken/default.asp for information and PDF brochures of Sanken Microphones.