Audio-Technica's new 5040 Studio Vocal Microphone

Audio-Technica announced their brand new 5040 Cardioid Condenser Vocal Microphone at the 133rd AES Convention this past weekend. I'm a big fan of their AT4050 Microphone and used/owned one for many years. (Found a good home for it last year with a horn player). So I'm very curious to hear what the 5040 sounds like.

"The AT5040 represents a milestone in condenser design, offering remarkably musical high-fidelity performance, with profound realism and depth, presence and purity of sound.
Designed as a first-choice vocal microphone, the AT5040 features an extremely smooth top end with controlled sibilance. Large-diaphragm characteristics and fast transient response also make it ideal for recording acoustic instruments such as piano, guitar, strings and saxophone."

FEATURES:

• Extremely musical high-fidelity performance, with profound realism and depth, presence and purity of sound
• Four rectangular diaphragms (2 micron) function together as Audio-Technica’s largest-ever element, providing combined surface area twice that of a standard circular one-inch diaphragm
• Exceptionally low noise and wide dynamic range ideal for studio vocals
• Discrete components carefully selected for optimized capsule performance
• High-SPL capability and extended frequency response
• Hand built and inspected for 100% quality control
• Advanced internal shock mounting decouples the capsule from the microphone body
• Elegant, durable housing of aluminium and brass
• Included advanced-design custom AT8480 shock mount provides superior isolation
• Custom hard-shell carrying case with die-cut foam compartments offers protection during storage and transport

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Element: Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
• Polar pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
• Impedance: 50 ohms
• Open circuit sensitivity: –25 dB (56.2 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa*
• Maximum input sound level: 142 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
• Noise: 5 dB SPL
• Dynamic range (typical): 137 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 89 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa*
• Phantom power requirements: 48V DC, 3.8 mA typical
• Weight: 582 g (20.5 oz)
• Dimensions: 165.3 mm (6.51'') long, 57.0 mm (2.24'') maximum body diameter
• Output connector: Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
• Accessories furnished: AT8480 shock mount for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; protective carrying case

MSRP $2999