TillM said:
maybe because no one cares about.
Okay I've to talk for myself.
I build a U87, U47FET and M49 clone.
What's the goal to compare them ?
I build mics cause I love audio electronics and soldering.
They sound good to me and I like my own build mics.
When I want the 100% sound of a Neumann, then I've to buy a Neumann, thats it.
I don't like these DIY vs original comparison, I've access to a U87 and a U47FET, but I don't care how close it sounds to my DIY or not.
That's my opinion about comparison with the original.
I trust my ears and I like my DIY mics and everyone who use my DIY mics also like them a lot.
Much thanks for reply " TillM " !!!
and compliments for the mics you built !
i agree about the fact that if Neumann sound wanted , buy Neumann ,
but for what i got here from threads , and "external" stores for capsules , bodies , kits and related
+ all the hours of work required to complete a microphone clone ,
at the end the total moneys cost is important (in my humble opinion) ,
and what about if a day the used "anonymous" cloned microphone have to put for sale ?
how much moneys should be lost ?
seem that it is not like get to test and resell as exdemo a Shure SM57 ……
or buy an original used Neumann (in perfect condition) and resell it after a period in same condition ,
in my humble opinion a good deal for a microphone clone would be no more than 400-450 bucks
all the time hours required for get info , docs , parts , helps from forum ( not always provided :'( -
Apart / Not included ,
(for sure
not few ! ) .
But :
If some type of "warranty" were included about the sound similarity to the original (90-95% at least)
and about the (true) sound comparison is the only "way" about ,
in my humble opinion the good deal could be about 600-650 bucks.
But the same , for get the original U47 sound , the original VF14tube is essential !!!
No original VF14 , no original true U47 sound !!! (and other Neumann mics designed with that tube)
And (again) beware from tons of fakes VF14 around , overall on the web !!!
(they keep or reproduce the original "Helmet" enclosure-can-box… but Fake tube inside !!! )
Different thing is about the U87 , KM184 , ( no tubes issues )
and TLM149 (relatively much easy to match a tube much next as possible to the original )
about TLM149 , i had various chances to use it , and it is a very nice mic , even if it does not drive me crazy ,
but the original U47 tube is another dimension (in my (and many others) humble opinion),
About U87 , KM184 , AND TLM149 clones , probably they can reach so high " % " equality to the original (no VF14 issue here
)
have to say that i had various different U87 under "control" (same "flat" preamp),
and no 1 sounds like the others …( so fun about …)
the differences was mostly on mid-high frequencies range , and also up to 15% (probably by capsules condition-usury…)
tough the "typical" type of sound was the same,
and if the U87,KM184,TLM149 clones are about 95% next to the original
and total parts cost is around 350-400 bucks for 1 U87 , and-or 2 KM184
(all hours time (not few) required for complete the mics excluded)
would be a good deal .
back to topic , any audio comparison about ?
ps
found (on fly) a comparison about U47
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAhmWZ97EkQ