The KM84 condenser microphone is not only is famed for its historic 28-year production run, but also was the first microphone to use the now-standard 48-volt phantom powering system invented by Georg Neumann. This "no visible power supply" approach, combined with the precision cardioid pattern of its KM64 capsule, low-noise FET electronics, -10 dB pre-attenuation switch (for 130 dB SPL handling) and ultra-compact 110mm body made this an instant hit with live, studio and broadcast engineers everywhere. In 1994, the KM84 was replaced with the KM184, which offered lower noise performance and greater SPL (138 dB) handling.