If only two mics... ?

[Emmathom]

Happy New Year to ya all !

To begin 2025 with and to continue the thread, here is a post taken from FB... I guess it's about B9Audio...
Regards

 

[Doug_Iowa]

For my money, the Shure SM-81 mics with a choice of cardioid or omnidirectional capsules with the vintage A81G windscreens will punch pretty far above your cost to acquire them used. They have a wonderfully neutral sound that you can EQ to mimic lots of other stuff. Just my "two bits" if you have to go to two relatively inexpensive mics.

 

[Emmathom]

For my money, the Shure SM-81 mics with a choice of cardioid or omnidirectional capsules with the vintage A81G windscreens will punch pretty far above your cost to acquire them used. They have a wonderfully neutral sound that you can EQ to mimic lots of other stuff. Just my "two bits" if you have to go to two relatively inexpensive mics.

I didn't know omni capsules were available for SM81... I have only one mic in cardio (and yes the sound is great, neutral, "naturel" I would say for you ear what the source is / no highs peak, not harsh at all / a great mic)

 

[k brown]

I didn't know omni capsules were available for SM81... I have only one mic in cardio (and yes the sound is great, neutral, "naturel" I would say for you ear what the source is / no highs peak, not harsh at all / a great mic)

They used to make them, but VERY hard to find, and pricey when you can. The mic isn't good enough to warrant the expense. Rode NT5/55 much better value.
https://reverb.com/item/15124303-shure-r104a-omnidirectional-cartridge-for-sm80-sm81-microphones-new

The mic with the omni capsule fitted was the SM80.

 

[k brown]

For my money, the Shure SM-81 mics with a choice of cardioid or omnidirectional capsules with the vintage A81G windscreens will punch pretty far above your cost to acquire them used. They have a wonderfully neutral sound that you can EQ to mimic lots of other stuff. Just my "two bits" if you have to go to two relatively inexpensive mics.

?? - Currently SM81s are $400 each, with card capsule only (the KSM141, at $450 ea. is a much better mic and a better value; switchable card or omni); as shown in post #239, NT55 matched pair with both card and omni capsules, $700.

https://www.amazon.com/Shure-KSM141-SL-Dual-Pattern-End-Address/dp/B0002J1K8U?th=1

 

[Doug_Iowa]

I didn't know omni capsules were available for SM81... I have only one mic in cardio (and yes the sound is great, neutral, "naturel" I would say for you ear what the source is / no highs peak, not harsh at all / a great mic)

The omni capsule is Shure part number R104A (The "A" on the end makes all the difference. The R104 is the cardioid capsule.) It is no longer in production. Very occasionally these turn up on the used market.

 

[Emmathom]

?? - Currently SM81s are $400 each, with card capsule only; as shown in post #239, NT55 matched pair with both card and omni capsules, $700.

~515€ for a NT5 pair + 2 omni caps.
Less expensive than a WA84 pair in cardio only

 

[Barry Hufker]

When first available, I bought a trio of Shure SM81s with cardioid and omni capsules. Being electrets, after a few years, of course after Shure stopped making them, the omni capsules completely discharged. The cardioid capsules were fine…

 

[k brown]

When first available, I bought a trio of Shure SM81s with cardioid and omni capsules. Being electrets, after a few years, of course after Shure stopped making them, the omni capsules completely discharged. The cardioid capsules were fine…

That's really strange - one would assume they were manufactured the same way.