Anybody have a Icon Space 251 Mic ? How does it sound? - New 251 Clone -

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I'm about 90% it's the same folks behind the Violet and JZ mics, i.e. the Latvian half of what used to be Blue. That said, with scant information about where it's produced I wouldn't assume it's actually made in Latvia or to the standards of some of those other brands (which have wide quality variations themselves). All of which to say, I wouldn't take a chance on them myself but would love to hear from anyone who has.
 
IMHO it looks ugly, is def made in China with Chinese parts (except that cocorico output cap) by the looks / price of it. Capsule is probably your generic random CK12 inspired wannabe.
Not even 3D rendering can't hide that 7 pin XLR we all know and hate.
It seems pretty much based on @poctop 's PCB design ? Wonder what he thinks of it

Does it sound bad in the end ? I don't know but with that kind of money well spent and considering you've signed up on a DIY forum I am sure you can build a 251 inspired mic that eats this one for breakfast.
 
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Gosh I had another look, the 3D rendering and IA generated and poorly edited pictures... It looks so squetchy, almost like a scam attempt haha. I am never putting my credit card number anywhere near this ! :LOL:

edit : that dude with the guitar standing behind a photoshop-added microphone, looking a 3D rendering of the 7 pin XLR connector of death, in ugly cheesy copper finish, this is all too much haha
 
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At first i thought it was the last generation of electrical razors, but seriously, a microphone ? My advice for ICON , fire the designers (all of them), make pizzas, sneakers, or ... razors ?
 
Welp, the Blue fanboy in me gave in on one of Icon's offerings, the Martian. I was particularly swayed by the mention that it is handmade in Latvia, well mostly by the massive price drop to $149. I figure, it's more or less a Blue Mouse with maybe lower quality control and maybe lower quality materials / components. I won't link to it directly as I don't want to come off as a shill, but there is one more of the Icon Martian I bought still up on Reverb (actually directly from Kellards Pro Audio might save tax money, too late for me though) in case anyone else is equally brave.
 
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It sparkles and shines with its well-rounded bottom on a pivotal cable with distinct pins and low, electroplated self noise. And has some '50 and '60 hand made ghosts inside.
Does a man need anything more in life?
 
Just had a fun little stroll around their website. Feels like a one stop shop for building a project studio - in a parallel universe. Very strong communist vibe.

The contact page also says the "global home office" is in Hong Kong.
 
The original M251 didn't have any relays. It is possible to do the pattern switching with a simple switch, no relays needed. (And I know it, because I designed a M251 clone for a microphone company.)
Imagine: backplate at +60 V, front membrane at 0 V. Signal taken from the backplate:
-Rear membrane at 0 V = Omni
-Rear membrane not connected = Cardioid
-Rear membrane at +120 V = Figure-8
(All these relays certainly won't improve the reliability...)
 
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