DPA 4006/M296 opportunity

[DaveD]

What would you consider the better option:

New pair of MG M296 with warranty, bought from a local dealer.

OR

Used matched pair of DPA 4006's, mint condition - same price, no warranty, and shipped from overseas (USA to Australia).

The 2 issues, I guess, are sound quality and warranty; and also the danger of loss or damage from shipping.

I've got about 48 hours to decide before the DPA door closes :-)

If people could chime in with any stray opinions, I would be grateful. Thanks.

Dave

[roonsbane]

What was the price you got on the Gefells. Michael Grace loves these mics. He says they sound like the best qualities of a 4006 and a schoeps put together.

Cameron

[Don S]

Originally Posted by DaveD

What would you consider the better option:

New pair of MG M296 with warranty, bought from a local dealer.

OR

Used matched pair of DPA 4006's, mint condition - same price, no warranty, and shipped from overseas (USA to Australia).

The 2 issues, I guess, are sound quality and warranty; and also the danger of loss or damage from shipping.

I've got about 48 hours to decide before the DPA door closes :-)

If people could chime in with any stray opinions, I would be grateful. Thanks.

Dave

I'd go for a NEW pair of 4006-TLs!
Dale Pro Audio has them for 3 grand a pair.

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by Don S

I'd go for a NEW pair of 4006-TLs!
Dale Pro Audio has them for 3 grand a pair.

man, I gave 3 grand for 3!

i suspect 3g is a little out of range of his budget, Mr. S.

[tenor39]

If you want transparency take the DPA's. Desire a little more coloration take the Gefells.

[DaveD]

The DPA's are $2400 USD including postage to Australia - but I may have to pay an extra 10% tax on top of that if they get stopped at customs. So they work out to about the same as a pair of new 296's, which I can get locally.

[Jim vanBergen]

I'd be wary of the international purchase, as its hard to deal with the customs issues- but I would PREFER the 4006's (I own a pair of well worn & loved 4007s). Having said that, if it were me, I'd buy the local pair and not deal with the customs & insurance. (A bird in the hand.) An oveseas transaction, even insured, from a buyer you don't know has several possible places for disaster. If you personally KNOW the buyer and have a history so that the transaction is in the sellers best interest and they will adamantly get you your gear, I'd reverse my thinking.

[DaveD]

So, do you think $2400 incl postage is a bit excessive?

[tenor39]

The retail is between $17-1800 each. How old are they? Price them out at a nearby dealer. If they're fairly new I'd say go for it.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by tenor39

If you want transparency take the DPA's. Desire a little more coloration take the Gefells.

Desire the ideal middle way between these two, take Schoeps

[klaukholm]

I would go for it. The $2400 price is pretty reasonable. They are a much more standard mic than the Gefell and should be in any serious mic locker if you do acoustic and classical work.

[T.RayBullard]

well, D...which one SOUNDS better to you?? get that one, dont get one just because it is "standard" or another because it is "cheaper" ...the sound is all that matters. they both are extremely HQ mics(I have both) and will do a good job as a main pair. the sound is all that matters.

[klaukholm]

There is a good reason why the 4006 are so common. You may or may not like them, but I believe they are such proven workhorses that anyone serious about recording should own a pair and live with them for a year or so to form a real opinion.

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by klaukholm

There is a good reason why the 4006 are so common. You may or may not like them, but I believe they are such proven workhorses that anyone serious about recording should own a pair and live with them for a year or so to form a real opinion.

I didnt say I didnt like them, but the whole "this is standard so you should buy it" idea is a little restricting to me. There are a lot of wonderful microphones that will easily stand side by side with the Schoeps/DPA/Neumann offerings. Maybe they are proven , but, like pro tools, maybe there wasnt anything at the time that could compete. Once again, I am not saying I dont like them(I have 4006 and several pairs of schoeps), but to limit yourself to only those two brands , in a world of other microphones is a little suspect , in my opinion. I have made the mistake in the past of buying a product or two simply because "well, thats what has always been used" and was sorely dissapointed. How boring would it be to use nothing but those mics simply because they have always been used?? how boring would it be to have nothing but one kind of preamp simply because that preamp is some sort of "status quo"?? Rock the boat, diversify...that is my suggestion. The DPA is a great mic, (wouldnt own it if It wasnt) but it isnt for everyone.




Dave, if you want to try the DPAs or 296, I can send pairs of both to you.

[DaveD]

Guys.... I decided against the DPAs for now. Door's closed on that second-hand pair. If anyone's interested, you'll probably find them listed on ebay soon enough. I think they're only 18 months old and would be worth a look.

Thank you for the comments and ideas.

Yeah... Schoeps would be nice, but I'd need an extra grand to buy them new here ($4600 Aussie dollars for CMC6/2X - can you believe it?)

Cheers.