It's a neunomand, guys. totally different.
It's similar to, but legally distinct from a Neumann.
All joking aside I feel like this is a super grey area. Clearly it's not using the Neumann branding, but they're definitely making an attempt to make it look like a Neumann.
If they weren't using the badge that still looks like it's supposed make you think think it's a Neumann I'd be in full support. They 100% know that resellers are gonna be glueing Neumann badges on there.
I also think they're out of their mind charging $500 for a knock off. (Unless it's actually close in sound).
Why would anybody buy it over something like a 3U Audio Warbler MKID which has 3 different voicings in addition to the polar patterns, pads, and low cut filter?
For DIY I guess I get it the swappable head basket could be useful. I'm thinking more about people that are buying it thinking it'll be a U87ai stock.
I wonder why all forgot about the 3U Wrabler option for a chinese U87 sound mics. Quality capsules, transformers, circuits, good headbasket / body and no legal issues. Reasonably priced.
It doesn't have the magic mojo.
I wish I were kidding, but Guosheng doesn't openly advertise it as a U87 copy so people don't seem to care about it. And it doesn't sound like a broken stereotype of the Neumann sound. Which I always felt the WA87 R1 did. It had a lot of midrange honk I don't hear from other U87-like mics.
Plus he doesn't really do any advertising (I'd write copy for him for a reasonable rate if he were interested in starting to advertise).