Behringer B2 Pro Early Version Differences

[sarakisof]

Just got for cheap two Behringer B2 Pro 797 early versions detachable head to play around with my already made U87 vintage circuits, using their bodies, baskets and K67 797 capsules in cardioid only.

Although they are both early models, they are not identical, i realised some differences, especially capsules.
I'm hoping to a general discussion - comparison based on your experiences.

Look at the capsules. Which one do you think could be earlier, closer to 797 B2 non pro / Rode?
Could we make a guess from barcode for dating, like J09...2009 J04...2004?
I know the one on the right side looks more dirty (slight dust actually), but i think it uses thicker gold. The other on the left is more transparent, thinner.

Could one of those be used in the good old Rode 797 models? (Classic I or so).

They both sound really well with U87 circuit and 3u Audio GZT87 trafo.
Far better than some WGT/RK, l new CY00X 797 and Maiku K67s.
They are good capsules!

Which one could be considered as better between two of them?

 

[Tim Campbell]

These capsules appear to be the same. One has more gold on the membrane than the other. This happens when making membranes, The area closest to the target gets more gold, the edges less. Obviously they decided to use as much of the membrane material as possible. Both are conductive and so will work. You could argue that the thinner deposit might even be more sensitive.

 

[sarakisof]

Thank you Tim, so it's not like the more gold the better here i guess.
If you were to choose between one or the other which one would you select?
Note the one on the right is more dusty, but I don't know, it's smthng i like on it, like it's older, closer to Rode Classic, don't know, maybe it has mojo.

If they are identical for true, I will definitely go with left option as -i know- that it was slightly used a few times in the past and mic was well kept in original case.

 

[kingkorg]

Last two capsules i got from 797 had the same thing going on. Both measured exactly the same, at 797's anechoic room, and at my place. So i dare to say it doesn't affect the sound, unless it's way over the top.

 

[sarakisof]

Thanks @kingkorg, i know you have experience in 797's.
So i guess i should go with the left one, as it's more clean.
I will also use some padding foam under it. Is there any special kind of foam i should go for in order not to get deteriorated in long term use?

 

[kingkorg]

As Gus suggested once, magic eraser does wonders

These capsules are quite resilient, i would suggest using finest brush you can find to clean the dirty one. Without any liquid. Gentle moves with the brush with some gentle blowing at an angle. It should be enough to get it to be as good as new. It takes quite a lot of pressure to damage that mylar, or coating.

Focus on the clear area between coating and plastic tensioning ring. Some dust on the gold coated area shouldn't be an issue.

But from what i see on the images, it doesn't really look that dirty either.

 

[sarakisof]

Focuss on the clear area between coating and plastic tensioning ring.

You mean this area right?

To sum up, just for last time, which one would you choose as primary/best capsule?

 

[kingkorg]

Yes, that area.

I was actually quite excited when my brand new capsules arrived with that difference, but with accurate measurements in all the patterns. So i could compare all of this to my setup and measurements. And there was basically no difference. So i would use any of those two, but prefferably both. Trusting this much guys at 797 i would just use them as matched pair.

Theoretically the one with less mass of the coating should have slightly better snr and transient response, but way above 20K. Again i couldn't confirm that with measurements.

These are so slight variances that temperature and humidity in the room would swing the results way more. Or even 1mm differences in positioning of the source, difference in construction, maybe even the position of the wires in the headbasket.

 

[sarakisof]

Great, thanks @kingkorg. Yes they are great. Kudos.

 

[sarakisof]

As we are here @kingkorg : Have you ever tried or compared WGTcenter/RK and 797 K47's (single or double diaphragm, doesn't matter) in FET847 or other circuits? I use one Maiku CK12 and a WGT K47 in my two FET847s but was wondering how a 797 would sound compared to wgt in terms of low end mostly. Which has more low end?
I'm asking this cause i read in a post from you that RK12 has more low end than 797.

 

[kingkorg]

RK12 has more low end and goes deeper, is more sensitive to plosives as it's edge terminated. It colapses sooner at higher than 60v voltage.
It has smoother HF but is less consistent in general.

I woudn't compare any k47 to k67 or edge terminated ones as they are way too different in construction.
All k47/m7 are hypercardioids by nature, have totally different proximity effect and pattern response. So i'd just address LF with an eq, built in, or external.

I don't generally care about amount of any band presence, i'm all about how smooth it is, and off axis response, proximity effect and pattern response. All the trouble comes from these, everything else is easily addressed with effects down the line.

797 doesn't make k47 to the best of my knowledge.

 

[sarakisof]

Great inputs.
I was talking about K47s comparison actually, but if 797 doesn't make K47 no comparison can take place anyway.

Just made a rec test A/B detachable capsules above, in the same U87 circuit. The one turned to be more clear with deep low end, the other one sounds more mid-vintage with not big low end like the first one, kinda like an old FET47 or smthng. I think the first one is more close to a U87.