For those with experience with AEA microphones which
one would you get a “pair” of first. (Or have a pair of).
And why?

R84?

R92?

(I have one of each already).

Comments will hopefully bring up something outside
my normal uses and thoughts.

I'd do the 84's first..good all rounders for drums ,etc.
92's rock on close mic'd guitars..
then start saving for some 44's

I'd agree on the R84s. We have a pair here and they're pretty versatile - as I see it, more versatile than the R92. YMMV.

84!

i prefer it on guitar as well. (the 92 has less proximity effect but is not as rich all around).

just pull it back a tad. beauty!

here is a clip i did last night:

http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=106711

just click the link...then click "download file" on the next page.

16/44.1 file.

AEA r-84 about a foot off the amp.

R84 for sure, it has this sweet high end that typically just works well on tons of stuff...but takes EQ incredibly well also.

War

When working with these mics, which one makes you say, "Man, I wish I had a pair of these"...? And, there's your answer. Or do you say that about both mics?

I have a pair of R84s, and they get used a ton. I could tell you what I like about them, and what I use them for, but you have one, so I'm not telling you anything new. I've never used the R92, so I can't help you there. So I can't really have an opinion on a pair for you.
Have a nice day..

Thanks for comments. First pair will most likely be 84.

There are at least 8 or 9 microphones that I have that I would
love to have a pair. Every time I buy the “second” mic it does
use part of a budget that could good towards another completely
different flavor microphone.

What’s nice about AEA is that they have told me
if I give them the serial number of the microphone that I own they
can send out a matched one. (Through dealer of course).

I have been very happy with the AEAs that I have here:

(1) R84
(1) R92
(1) R88
(1) R44C

I would say that I’m not getting everything I can out of the R88 yet.
(Maybe I’m missing something, but placement seems very critical).

Haven’t had time to try anything but “standard” uses of R44C.

I'd say the R84's as well...they just sound 'deeper' in general than the R92, which are more upfront and brighter (still great mics though).

Dude, you have an R88? Isn't the R88 a stereo R84..?? (someone correct me if I'm wrong)

I know it's not the same as having separate mics, but I might have gone a different way given the R88 info...

The R88 that I spent time with sounded like it was tuned somewhere between the R92 and R84. Beautiful mic.

War

They R88 and R84 don’t sound the same to me either. Seems high end is different
(But was a good point that will have me listening more closely to both the R84 and R88).

From AEA homepage:

AEA R88
The AEA R88 is a Blumlein pair of Large Ribbon Geometry (LRG) elements enclosed in a sleek package. It's motor design is derivative of the acclaimed R84 motor with improvments in the high-end response, which was itself inspired by the design of the venerated RCA 44. The R88 is optimized for natural frequency response and precise stereo imaging. It's large ribbon geometry design inherits the extended bass of the classic R44 and critically acclaimed R84 microphones. The clean and smooth treble of the R88 is very flattering to complex tones such as woodwinds, strings, and cymbals. The R88 is an excellent orchestral and choral recording microphone, and shines on studio applications such as horn sections and drum overheads as well.