Brauner Phantom & Neumann U87ai

[Revelation]

What character differences are there between the two? Please don't say the Neumann sucks and the Brauner is better. I know they are both great sounding mic's. I am more interested in tonality differences from you guys.

Thanks

[AmekGuy]

If I had a nickle for every parrot with a comment on the newer Neumann mics, I would be rich and could buy more Neumann's, Beyer's, Geffel's and Pelusos

[James Lehmann]

I'd say the Brauner has a much brighter HF than the U87 for starters.

The Brauner is quite a 'clinical' mic while the U87 is perhaps more of a 'character' mic.

They're both excellent but different - if you are seriously considering either of these you'd really have to A/B them properly yourself to decide which works best for your application.

[Revelation]

Originally Posted by James Lehmann

I'd say the Brauner has a much brighter HF than the U87 for starters.

The Brauner is quite a 'clinical' mic while the U87 is perhaps more of a 'character' mic.

They're both excellent but different - if you are seriously considering either of these you'd really have to A/B them properly yourself to decide which works best for your application.

Thanks for your reply, I am looking more for a character mic, and I have heard the U87ai and really loved it....thanks. Blue Kiwi is also on the radar.

[huarez]

Very differnt mics, i like both, would say in a single source comparation, it was very hard to find arguments pro the 87ai (physically, the Neumann is wa¥ more impressive)
But it gots a solid midrange, and at the End of the day it´s a Neumann.......and 2 and a half time more expencive....

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by Revelation

Thanks for your reply, I am looking more for a character mic, and I have heard the U87ai and really loved it....thanks. Blue Kiwi is also on the radar.

Blue Kiwi - definitely also a 'character' mic!

[minister]

i did a side by side comparison of an 87 and a KIWI.

everyone in the room -- two of them laypeople -- picked the KIWI as more open, less veiled, and more balanced across the frequency spectrum. very forgiving to EQ. shinier. women can be sibiliant on it, but it is not a "bright" mic. i find it clear and revealing. i got some excellent cello recordings with these.

i found the 87 to be like talking into steel wool. something veiled, a tight (nuemann) high end, and a thick mid to low mid...but i say almost too thick...and i scooped out a bit. satiny-er. i got some decent animated character recordings ans well drums (toms) with these.

with the KIWI, i don't wanna EQ; with the 87, i wanna eq.


this guy's opinion.

[Revelation]

Originally Posted by minister

i did a side by side comparison of an 87 and a KIWI.

everyone in the room -- two of them laypeople -- picked the KIWI as more open, less veiled, and more balanced across the frequency spectrum. very forgiving to EQ. shinier. women can be sibiliant on it, but it is not a "bright" mic. i find it clear and revealing. i got some excellent cello recordings with these.

i found the 87 to be like talking into steel wool. something veiled, a tight (nuemann) high end, and a thick mid to low mid...but i say almost too thick...and i scooped out a bit. satiny-er. i got some decent animated character recordings ans well drums (toms) with these.

with the KIWI, i don't wanna EQ; with the 87, i wanna eq.


this guy's opinion.

I agree with your review on the Kiwi, it has this clear sparkle, even sound. The 87 though fills that low mid range (classic Neumann sound) that I just love. I wish I could buy both. I already have the Blueberry which is in between the U87 and Kiwi and I just don't know which one I would rather have.

[minister]

Originally Posted by Revelation

I agree with your review on the Kiwi, it has this clear sparkle, even sound. The 87 though fills that low mid range (classic Neumann sound) that I just love. I wish I could buy both. I already have the Blueberry which is in between the U87 and Kiwi and I just don't know which one I would rather have.

aye, that's a conundrum. i couldn't keep both at the time... and there are times i wish i had an 87 ... just to see it couldn't fill out the vocal more...

it's a slutz choice.

you know what i would do.