What do you think of "improved" versions of classic microphones?

[chessparov]

As in...
SM57 vs. Beta 57
RE20 vs. RE27
421 vs. 421 MK II

Got neodynium?

Chris

[Jay Kahrs]

I wouldn't really call any of those new and improved. The only one that really counts on that list is the 421. The Beta 57 is a totally different mic then a 57. I actually thought you were going to ask about something like a Lawson 47 vs. an old U47.

[chessparov]

Good points Jay.
Maybe "How do you like neodynium elements in dynamics?" would have
been a clearer topic title as that was the intent.

Chris

[Drumsound]

The EV N/D series sounds good. I like the 408/468 and the snare and bass drum ones as well.

[Paul Turpin]

I like my M147's - but I don't have a U47 to compare it to (or an M49 for that matter). I also like my KM184's but dont have any KM84's.

I do like my Senn e609 as compared to a 409 though.
Beta57a are great - but nothing like sm57's.

How about the new AKG451 compared to an old 451 ?

[chessparov]

At first I didn't like the Beta 57a as much as the '57.
I think it was because the Beta has a tighter pattern and is less
forgiving when you sing off-axis.
I like it as much now, it does sound brighter than a SM57 though.

Chris

[Jules]

I like my M149's

But havent had any significant time on the old model it is supposed to be a relation of...

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally posted by Paul Turpin
I like my M147's - but I don't have a U47 to compare it to (or an M49 for that matter).

How about the new AKG451 compared to an old 451 ?

The M147 sounds NOTHING like a U47. It's closer to a 47Fet but it's not as useful IMHO. I think the 103 is a decent to great mic (that love/hate thing again) but the M147 just isn't all that cool for the money IMHO.

Ty Ford just did a review of the new 451 for Pro Audio Review. I'll see if he wants to drop by and post it or if he'll let me do it for him. In a nutshell it was a bit brighter then the original ones he compared it to.

[Jay Kahrs]

Here's a link to Ty's 451 review.

ftp://ftp.jagunet.com/pub/users/tfor...20_AKG_451.txt

If that doesn't work go to
ftp://ftp.jagunet.com/pub/users/tfor...s/Mic_Reviews/ and look for 02.3_AKG_451

[mwagener]

The Soundelux 251 is an incredible remake of the original Telefunken ELAM 251. We had three different original ELAM 251s and a ELUX 251 for a shootout and all three originals sounded different, all good, but different. The ELUX was the favourite of 80% of the people in the room.

I just got the new Soundelux E47 and it is hands down my favorite microphone, even over the 251. I don't know how it compares to the original U47, but it sure is a wonderful mic.

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by mwagener
The Soundelux 251 is an incredible remake of the original Telefunken ELAM 251. We had three different original ELAM 251s and a ELUX 251 for a shootout and all three originals sounded different, all good, but different. The ELUX was the favourite of 80% of the people in the room.

I just got the new Soundelux E47 and it is hands down my favorite microphone, even over the 251. I don't know how it compares to the original U47, but it sure is a wonderful mic.

I love the E47 so much. I think it's "better" only in the fact that it's a little more versatile than the ELUX 251. It has more polar patterns (sweepable instead of fixed), is not quite so airy in the top as the 251, and has a slightly less scooped low mid range than the 251. Both are super sweet though.

[Tubelover]

I like buying all the mics that aren't as popular in the reviews and on boards like this one, so rarely sell for what their worth.

That would include the 3 brand new M-147s I got for $1K each with shock mounts and the Soundelux U95S I got brand new for $2.5K. In my experience better and more versatile than an M-149.

NO, the M-147 doesn't sound like it's supposed predecessor, but it's a great overhead mic, nice mic for guitar cabs and very good for some vocals. A pair on a cello is impressive.

Discussing mics without considering the pres is always a tough one.