U87 vs ADK CE small listening test

[ISedlacek]

Today we tried to sing few samples alternately to my U87ai and my friend´s ADK CE microphones. The recording chain was Millennia STT-1 Origin and Lavry Blue AD.
Should you be interested, you can listen to this spontaneous shootout. Now I am not telling which mic is "a" and which "b": I will tell later

explanation about the samples:
tube1 and 2 = straight Millennia tube way
ss = HV3
fporigintss = Origin full power tube with transormer, EQ and compressor
fporiginsst = Origin full power solid state preamp, tube EQ, compressor
close - ADK 8 characteristics, U87 very close

******//www.savita.cz/show/ua.rar

[rodabod]

I think mic A is the ADK and mic B is the Neumann.

I thought mic B had a slightly smoother high end.

[SoZo]

Yup sample A is the Neumann 87. Much more resolved and smooth. B is congested. But if its a cheap dollar mic I would run out today. How much for the ADK ?

[SoZo]

I love the a-fporiginsst.mp3 preamp though

[k2m]

Mic A sounded slightly better. Dunno which is which.

[zemlin]

I prefer "A". I also think "B" sounds "congested". Not going to claim to know which is which, but with the U87 reputation, I'd expect it to be "A".

[ISedlacek]

Any more comments before I reveal the truth ?

[SoZo]

no lets have it!

[ISedlacek]

A: ADK CE

B: Neumann U87 ai

[SoZo]

no frigin way... really???????????????????

[SoZo]

I just listened again, That my be my next mic purchase........

[ISedlacek]

Yes ... My personal impression is that U87 has more open and realistic HF and slightly less pronounce midrange, ADK sounds thick, warm "tubey" in the midrange with less open HF.

Since vocals are for me just secondary occassional thing, I keep being satisfied with U87 ...which to my ears sounds a bit more "natural", more faithful to the source, wherea ADK gives some extra flavour ... (which can be pleasant sometimes)

[cdog]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Yes ... My personal impression is that U87 has more open and realistic HF and slightly less pronounce midrange, ADK sounds thick, warm "tubey" in the midrange with less open HF.

Since vocals are for me just secondary occassional thing, I keep being satisfied with U87 ...which to my ears sounds a bit more "natural", more faithful to the source, wherea ADK gives some extra flavour ... (which can be pleasant sometimes)

Cool website. Nice little test there. I've always thought ADKs were underrated.

[ISedlacek]

Nice photo

(just packing these two drums for my concert trip to France and Spain)

[carloff]

I was my ADK Im really happy about it ..and personally liked more than U 87..because I hear something extra and velvet in the sound.By the way is ADK CE greatly sitting in mixies

[knekor]

I've got one too. All I can say is it's friggin amazing for the price. ADK's constantly get underrated, they are excellent mic's, most of them anyhoo.

Did you guys try the CE on acoustic guitar? It's really does a great job on it. Haven't gotten a chance to try it out as a room mic on drums yet but I will soon.

I'm not EVER selling mine


I just have to mention their customer support, I've never been treated as nice as I were by them. They really went out of their way for me, simply the coolest.

[ISedlacek]

I regret we did not include the same vocals recorded on close stereo Schoeps (MK2, MK21 or MK4V). I tried something small just now and I feel it sounds much better than any of these two LDs. More breathing, open and natural ... Both ADK and U87 sound like a pressef fattened pillow comparing to them ... Leaving for two weeks now I will certainly send some samples after I return ...

[gore]

For my maximum pleasure is absent A-48 - in test .

thanks a lot Ivo !

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by gore

For my maximum pleasure is absent A-48 - in test .

thanks a lot Ivo !

We actually published similar test A-48 vs. U87 about 1,5 year ago here. A-48 was little bit lower league than ADK CE

[gore]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

We actually published similar test A-48 vs. U87 about 1,5 year ago here. A-48 was little bit lower league than ADK CE

Yeah ! I know this test . I know A-48 is cheaper than CE .
But for this reason : you did test with U87 vs A48 and now U87 vs CE , so I think is good idea compare U87 vs A48 vs CE .

[indie]

The CE is an AWESOME mic. Its been great on most vocals, acoustic and killer on room mics and mono drum overhead. thumbsup

[penz]

Damn, the link is down in the original post. Anyone still have the file comparing the mics? I'm interested in purchasing the ADK.