[TheArchitect]

Originally Posted by jaguarmusicboy

Have to jump in quickly to say I was SHOCKED at how good the NADY RSM-2 mics I have sound. I used them in an accoustic piano "shoot out" along side a pair of Neuman KM 184s, a pair of Lomo 19A-18s, a pair of Earthworks TC 30Ks, and a pair of new issue 19A-18s with the Oktava capsule. The inclusion of the ribbon mics was an afterthought, kind of a control on a test designed primarily to evaluate the condensers.

The RSM-2 pair did brilliantly. If you ever want a BIG WARM classical sound - like an Alfred Brendel recording from the 80s, these are very nice indeed. I then set one up to do a comparison on vocals and sax with my RCA 44BX. The Nady RSM-2 performed - (IMHO) better. Higher output, less proximity effect, really nice sound. I love my Wes Dooley restored 44BX, but for $189.00 I'd say go for a pair of the RSM-2s. If you google NADY Ribbon Mic Mods you will find a couple of folk out there who can make them sound even better for minimal $. Plus they look pretty cool! They several other models of ribbon mics I have not tried but the top price is $269.00 ... a far cry from what you would pay for a Royer or and AES.

Only caution: NADY does NOT guarantee the ribbons so they give you a grace period to test your mic to see if it's functioning. After that, handle them carefully because they are inherently delicate - like all classic ribbon mics - and if you damage the ribbon on one of these you might as well replace the mic.

PS. I've heard very good things about the SE electronics ribbon mic (don't know the model #) but they are not exactly cheap.

I Agree. The Nady's are damn good.