Beware of Plastic BM800's

[billkaroly]

I ordered two cheap $9 BM800 bodies from AliExpress and they are all plastic. The saddle is molded in the frame. I'm donating them to a local thrift store.

These others are pretty good though.

 

[micolas]

I ordered two cheap $9 BM800 bodies from AliExpress and they are all plastic. The saddle is molded in the frame. I'm donating them to a local thrift store.

These others are pretty good though.

Thanks for the warning and the link

 

[Paul W]

These others are pretty good though.

Do they have the transistor on the PCB, or an unpopulated spot there because it's in the capsule housing?

(That won't matter to people who intend to replace the board, but it will to people who want to do the standard board mods.)

 

[k brown]

It doesn't hum like crazy?

 

[micolas]

It doesn't hum like crazy?

Can be used for special FX

 

[Екатерина]

In fact, as long as the shielding plastic shell is well done, it can also be used very well. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic is still very strong, and as long as qualified shielding is added, it is a perfect thing

 

[micolas]

If, however, the body is plastic, you can still shield it electrically/electromagnetically, inside, it depends on how creative you are. And in the case of resonances, vibrations, solutions can be found.

 

[rogs]

Similar subject to the one I mentioned here: https://groupdiy.com/threads/bm800-lottery.79959/
The plasic bodies are only really of any use when used with electret capsules fitted with internal FETs.
External FET electret - or LDC - projects will hum like hell uless you add extensive additional screening .. and even then ? ....

The 'plastic' BM800s are not always easy to identify from the advert photos. The 2 best giveaway visual details are probably:

• Plastic headbasket has 'seemless' vertical pillars, as part of a plastic mold. ...Metal BM800s have spot welded separate pillars in the metal headbasket.

• The plastic BM800s have black XLR connectors. Metal ones have silver XLRs

When buying BM800s for a 'body only' project it's probably a good idea to look out for the for body only adverts -- with several photos in the advert.
Like these for example: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003120801912.html

 

[MicMaven]

When buying BM800s for a 'body only' project it's probably a good idea to look out for the for body only adverts -- with several photos in the advert.

While I have had good luck buying empty bodies on eBay, as Mr. @rogs recommends, one MUST pay attention to details and I often ask direct questions of the vendor about product features before placing an order. One can learn a bit about a vendor's expertise and business acumen by asking a few direct questions, such as "Does this item have an all-metal body?" Of course, I have been stung once or twice by unscrupulous vendors who say "yes" when they should say "no."

More recently, I have purchased CAD GXL1800 microphones on sale for as low as $19 delivered from B&H [www.bhphotovideo.com] and sellers on eBay.com. The bodies are, essentially, BM700 type, and (I think) they have a better circuit board. Tascam TM80 bodies are even nicer donor bodies and can be acquired on sale for between $15 and $30.

As Mr. @rogs suggests, be diligent and look carefully before ordering. James

 

[pmfalcman]

.Tascam TM80 bodies are even nicer donor bodies and can be acquired on sale for between $15 and $30.

Beware though! TascamTM80 has identical body as Marantz MPM-1000. Soooo, presumably they're identical mics inside too.
Marantz is the horizontal, round pcb type mic. No internal frame. Everything is held together by screws on the head basket's circumference.
The body is great though! Very thick wall.
No ringing, very little to none handling noise.

 

[MicMaven]

Beware though! TascamTM80 has identical body as Marantz MPM-1000. Soooo, presumably they're identical mics inside too.
Marantz is the horizontal, round pcb type mic. No internal frame. Everything is held together by screws on the head basket's circumference.
The body is great though! Very thick wall.
No ringing, very little to none handling noise.

Roger. I concur with MR. @pmfalcman 's assessment. I attach photos depicting the TM-80. The diaphragm is polished aluminum. It reflects light and appears almost transparent. My initial impression was so positive, I have not cannibalized it for parts. I am not sure what I will do with it, but it looks, feels and sounds like it punches above its weight class. $29 including shipping, it represents good value. // James in balmy, snowy Michigan! /


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[k brown]

Roger. I concur with MR. @pmfalcman 's assessment. I attach photos depicting the TM-80. The diaphragm is polished aluminum. It reflects light and appears almost transparent. My initial impression was so positive, I have not cannibalized it for parts. I am not sure what I will do with it, but it looks, feels and sounds like it punches above its weight class. $29 including shipping, it represents good value. // James in balmy, snowy Michigan! /


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Just ta pick the nit a bit - the diaphragm is not polished aluminum, it's simply aluminized Mylar (although most likely a generic polyester rather than actual Mylar).

______

It's rather amazing how many companies are calling mics like these 'large diaphragm', when they are nothing but SDCs in a needlessly large body. How are they not getting nailed for such obviously false advertising?