MXL 603S vs 991

I bought a metric buttpile of mics yesterday, and these are the first on the dissection table.

First thing that comes to mind is, these are the same mic! The bodies and capsules are completely interchangable, and the electronics appear to be identical. They do sound a bit different, the 603 is warmer and hotter. The bode plots that come with them are different also. An interesting side note is that the bode plot for the MXL990 (which is a completely different style of mic) appears to be identical to the 603.

Here's a bunch of hi-res pics of both mics side by side. Enjoy!

http://gromit.usedforcomparison.com/~tmbg/mics/

Thanks I have not been inside a 991.

[quote author="tmbg"] They do sound a bit different, the 603 is warmer and hotter. [/quote]

Interesting! Mine sounded identical. Also, look at this thread for more info--third message from the top:

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=2603&start=105

ok so I guess I'm going to have to do another more scientific listening test

Can anyone suggest a really good test method?

hah weird, the 990 is in fact the same capsule as the 991 and (possibly) 603!

EDIT: Pics of this weird capsule mount are in the same folder as the 603/991 pics. Go look!

[quote author="tmbg"]hah weird, the 990 is in fact the same capsule as the 991 and (possibly) 603!

EDIT: Pics of this weird capsule mount are in the same folder as the 603/991 pics. Go look![/quote]

Yes, all of them share the same capsule, but the 990 has completely different acoustical arrangement around the capsule, and also, completely different grill construction.

Strange coincidence, but I've got a 990 and 991 sitting here in front of me to modify for a friend. I'm messing with the 991 at this very moment...

[quote author="tmbg"]http://gromit.usedforcomparison.com/~tmbg/mics/[/quote]

Am I the only one who can't access this server?

Peace,
Al.

yes. It likes me. gives me a high five, hands me a guiness, and asks me to sit back on the couch and take a load off :wink:

ju

I have goofy DNS issues for some people

try this if it pleases you

http://68.184.87.239/~tmbg/mics/

Hi

does anybody have a schem of the MXL 603s?

Reiner