Aliexpress 'Studio Microphone'...thoughts?

Discussion in 'Soundgear' started by Vincent Price, Jan 22, 2021.

  1. danfuerth

    danfuerth Kapellmeister

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    Some info "K67 Capsule can be found in most of the condenser mics on the market. Telefunken sells this capsule on its website for $145 for one capsule."

    You can see now Neumann wants to sell it for $1500!! which is a complete joke, it's not an engine for a vehicle just a Mic capsule.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2021
  2. The Pirate

    The Pirate Audiosexual

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    I would like to know from where you are getting your info. As far as I know Seinheiser are two of the companies that do not manufacture parts for their mics in China...but I could be wrong about Seinheiser. You certainly were wrong about Neumann, therefore, any credible reference to your statement is welcome.
     
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  3. tommyzai

    tommyzai Platinum Record

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    I've ordered a lot from AliExpress . . . mostly non-audio stuff. It's hit or miss. Sometimes you find a diamond in the rough. Sometimes you get a Chinese knock-off, BUT . . . sometimes that "knock-off" is actually as good if not better . . . just depends on the item and who/what/where. There are several selling for many items on AliExpress. Shipping is often free, but you can expect to wait several weeks for the package to arrive.

    In short, for audio gear . . . you are rolling the dice. Don't spend more than you're prepared to lose.
     
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  4. The Pirate

    The Pirate Audiosexual

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    You are right. Being made in China does not mean that it is garbage. Focal is a perfect example.
     
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  5. cyrano

    cyrano Member

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    The problem with these Chinese mics is you never know what you'll get.

    I ordered a pair of Neewer NW800's, twice, before the hype started. The first pair was so good I didn't cannibalise it, as was the plan. They have a 25 mm 797 Audio capsule and a Schoeps circuit with decent components. The second pair, just a few weeks later, had 12 mm electrets and hardly any circuit. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't what the description mentioned.

    They were around 50 € a pair, incl. shipment. As I buy these just for the housing, it's OK. In fact, it's cheaper than buying empty housings.

    If you dare to take a chance, there are nice mics out there for next to no money. Just not all of them. If you don't like to take a chance, buy MXL or Studio Projects. The same stuff, but with a decent bit of QC and a real warranty.

    What happened with the Neewer mics was that once the hype started, Neewer started buying from other manufacturers. And as these were up against a very low price point, they started taking shortcuts. The Chinese are very good in shortcuts.

    Of course, these aren't Neumanns. But then, a vintage U-whatever doesn't sound like another vintage U-whatever. If you buy a new one, however, you can consider any two of them to be a better matched pair than the usual matched pairs from most other manufacturers. And you can send in any Neumann for repair, no matter what state or age it is.
     
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  6. Hazen

    Hazen Rock Star

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    Do you have an idea which is the most affordable Mic containing the original K67 capsule?

     
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  7. mild pump milk

    mild pump milk Russian Milk Drunkard

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    Neumann.

    If cheap stuff, but high quality, start with Oktava, Soyuz, Rode (start with NT2A or better). Maybe AKG also, but I don't know.

    Also, good preamp(s), good ADC interface, acoustic treatment.
    Pop filter, mic stand and other accessories.

    Also, in many cases, one only mic can't fit everything. It is good to have 2 or 3...
    In addition, with mic pattern switch. Cardioid is good in most cases, omni directional is for if you have very good acoustic treatment without reflections, as mine, but i use cardioid, though omni dir is way neutral, natural and slightly open in my Rode. Figure 8 is for 2 persons sitting around mic, dialog, broadcasting.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2021
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  8. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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  9. The Pirate

    The Pirate Audiosexual

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  10. quadcore64

    quadcore64 Audiosexual

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    @ Kuuhaku

    As a Kapellmeister I would hope that you understand the rules that help us get along inside this forum. I personally do not have an issue with anyone disagreeing with me on any topic or statement therein. Just have the courtesy to post your reasoning/response. Anyone can snipe from the shadows for whatever reason that serves 'their' purpose in the moment.


    Did I state anything that was factually inaccurate or not based in reality? All while providing alternate purchase options to get the same or similar product.

    From the forum rules:

    "All your ratings (especially negative or neutral) should be meaningful - so when you're asked to provide reasons for such rating, you should have one. Giving out lots of negative ratings for no obvious reason can get you into trouble. You don't have to rate any posts, it's completely voluntary".

    Look forward to you posting your reasoning. Happy tracking!
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2021
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  11. Strat4ever

    Strat4ever Rock Star

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    I have bought quite a few items from Alixpress that were identical to items sold in local music and computer stores who priced them for 5-7 times higher. Proof, I purchased a MIDI interface, after having received it went to a local music store where they had the exact identical article packaging and all but with a different brand name, costing 7 times my total cost. I asked the salesman if I could try it out, after which I took my package out of a bag, showed it and invoice of what I paid for it to the surprised clerk. Don't believe all that Aliexpress haters post, Ali has many identical articles of what is in the stores, but they also do have low quality crap copies, so just do your research first. Recently, I received 100 nylon .71 Guitar picks (Same quality as Dunlop) on special for $6 with free shipping, local music store price is $7.+tax for a 12 pack of Dunlop picks. Almost everything comes from China now so just shop smart, I haven't had any major issues, after 8 years of ordering from them.
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2021
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  12. cyrano

    cyrano Member

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    The only K67 that sounds like a real K67, is the one from Neumann. Tim Campbell's one and Heisermann's are awfully close. Not cheap either.

    All the others are Chinese. Some don't even resemble a K67. That doesn't mean these are bad capsules. Here's a typical one from 797 Audio:

    https://store.studio939.com/product/35mm-k67-style-capsule

    It's center terminated, but the backplate hasn't got the same precision holes. The guy selling those is honest. He mentions:

    Don't go looking for the holy grail. It doesn't exist.
     
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  13. Pipotron3000

    Pipotron3000 Audiosexual

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  14. danfuerth

    danfuerth Kapellmeister

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    All I can say is this post got some serious talk and many good options for capsules and products available.
    That is very good!!
     
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  15. Peter Bomhof

    Peter Bomhof Noisemaker

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    The TLM 103 from china sound good to me with fantom Power +48v
     
  16. jon doe like pizza dough

    jon doe like pizza dough Ultrasonic

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    would you buy a mic from wish ? no..

    then don't buy from AliExpress

    just get a cheap branded mic like the roar m5 for the nt1

    or even the sm57/58

    they are always better
     
  17. annabalradwick

    annabalradwick Newbie

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    Many Chinese manufacturers try to copy designs from well-known companies, which attracts customers. I quite often order different products on aliexpress. Moreover, I bought a microphone, but not the one you asked about. I bought a mic because I needed it to communicate with the team in Dota. The product came fairly quickly. I checked the microphone every day via package tracker because I wanted to get it faster. The microphone was good quality, and my allies heard me well.
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2022
  18. PifPafPif

    PifPafPif Rock Star

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    Most brands ALREADY produce in China.
    Cloning is just using the plans ... for themselves.
     
  19. bluerover

    bluerover Audiosexual

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