BaiFei Li C414 34mm capsule (PCB & Capsule pictures)

[Comakepi]

I don't have calibration microphone, so I can't really give precise answer about that. No idea what's happening on yours.

Superlux ECM VS ECM

My reference mics are cheap, but at least they are constents in a large range

 

[damien]

oh yeah, definitely not a problem of reference mic in your case

 

[Comakepi]

Some new tests today

 

[thomasdf]

I... must ... fight ... GAS ...

 

[Comakepi]

OMG, it's very similar

 

[thomasdf]

What’s the source / method ?
Interesting ! For some reason I would have thought that all of these mics would have more extended freq resp under 60hz and over 10Khz, no matter if original or copy or whatever.
Thanks for posting this !

 

[Comakepi]

What’s the source / method ?
Interesting ! For some reason I would have thought that all of these mics would have more extended freq resp under 60hz and over 10Khz, no matter if original or copy or whatever.
Thanks for posting this !

The source is processed L-acoustics X12 speaker (59Hz-20kHz, that's why nothing appear in the low range), pink noise Smaart generator, Channel 1 microphone / Channel 2 ref . Simple Scarlett 2i2 as audio interface.

 

[damien]

From your curves, it seems the BFL414 is more 414ish than the 214 which has a bigger dip in the mids and more top-end. L-Acoustics speakers are good but probably not the best ref monitors. Maybe its response curve or acoustics have a big impact on those results because the original AKG should not have those 100Hz 9KHz peaks.

You're lucky, you have a sweet collection of microphones!

 

[Comakepi]

From your curves, it seems the BFL414 is more 414ish than the 214 which has a bigger dip in the mids and more top-end. L-Acoustics speakers are good but probably not the best ref monitors. Maybe its response curve or acoustics have a big impact on those results because the original AKG should not have those 100Hz 9KHz peaks.

You're lucky, you have a sweet collection of microphones!

Of course the peaks are really the L-acoustics signature preset curves. The low peaks probably disappear when you set monitor preset instead of FOH preset

The only way to read those result is not about frequency linearity, it's about compare différences between microphones ( not mine, it's at my job )

 

[ricardo]

It's far from universally agreed that capsule styrene cap is an upgrade from COG; can even be worse as far as microphonics.

Guru Scott Wurcer found that your mike WILL (not can) gain some extra high Q "zing"microphony. Maybe you'll like that

 

[damien]

Of course the peaks are really the L-acoustics signature preset curves. The low peaks probably disappear when you set monitor preset instead of FOH preset

The only way to read those result is not about frequency linearity, it's about compare différences between microphones ( not mine, it's at my job )

Yep, they are very similar ! Thanks for all the work you did.

 

[thomasdf]

I’ve never been a big fan of the 414 xls (older models is a diff story) especially at their price point (prise / likey ratio haha) so I never felt the need to buy them.
Now, if this cardio version gets you 90% of the way for the price of a new SM57, this changes a lot of things for drum tom uses, snares or electric guitars… in the studio or on stage.
I am impressed ..!

 

[Comakepi]

I’ve never been a big fan of the 414 xls (older models is a diff story) especially at their price point (prise / likey ratio haha) so I never felt the need to buy them.
Now, if this cardio version gets you 90% of the way for the price of a new SM57, this changes a lot of things for drum tom uses, snares or electric guitars… in the studio or on stage.
I am impressed ..!

It's just an amateur measurement, i will do a crash test as soon as possible on a snare or.... a trumpet for check max SPL, distorsion....

Just like you, i've never felt the need to get some 414xls in my personal stock, a couple of second hand 214 could be enough for my usual using.

 

[damien]

It's just an amateur measurement, i will do a crash test as soon as possible on a snare or.... a trumpet for check max SPL, distorsion....

Just like you, i've never felt the need to get some 414xls in my personal stock, a couple of second hand 214 could be enough for my usual using.

Yes please!

 

[Sun King]

OMG, it's very similar

View attachment 138448

May I check whether this was the large or small diaphragm version of the baifeili c-414? I've got the SDC but am considering the LDC version.
Many thanks to all for the teardowns and tests!

 

[damien]

May I check whether this was the large or small diaphragm version of the baifeili c-414? I've got the SDC but am considering the LDC version.
Many thanks to all for the teardowns and tests!

It's the 34mm.

>>> https://groupdiy.com/threads/baifei...cb-capsule-pictures.88305/page-2#post-1169887

 

[Comakepi]

Yes, i measure the 34mm one.
The differences are easy to read here

 

[damien]

I bought a 5th BFL414 to mike up my drum kit.
The quality control is really bad.
This is the capsule of the last one I received. It has fingerprints on it, you can imagine how it's been handled at the factory :

 

[Sun King]

I bought a 5th BFL414 to mike up my drum kit.
The quality control is really bad.
This is the capsule of the last one I received. It's working but has fingerprints on it, you can imagine how it's been handled at the factory :


View attachment 139286

Please do send that along to them. I'm sure it would help identify a problem in their supply/assembly chain to at least some degree.
It's a shame because I do think the mics are generally machined very well, but I'm sure clumsiness in assembly is not something they would want.
Have you dismantled all of the 5 of these you've got, just out of interest?

 

[damien]

Please do send that along to them. I'm sure it would help identify a problem in their supply/assembly chain to at least some degree.
It's a shame because I do think the mics are generally machined very well, but I'm sure clumsiness in assembly is not something they would want.
Have you dismantled all of the 5 of these you've got, just out of interest?

Yes I did open the 5 microphones, only 1 out of 5 is like that. You have your stats
I will try to get in touch with them to see if they can send me a replacement capsule. Will post about that later.
Damien