You don't think people would be able to tell the difference between a pair of C4s, Berliners and Karma K10s? Well, you're wrong...at least as far as I'm concerned.
We will have to agree to disagree!
The root of my point was that "light years apart" isn't a good descriptor of the differences between the aformentioned mics.
I just looked for information about these mics. They are *very* similar to the Neumann KM184 in both appearance and in specifications. Apparently they are made by 797 Audio in China, the same people who make Studio Projects and several other mics.
I do find it rather sleazy that they use the name Berliner, and also Neumann knockoff names, like U77 or whatever, while they are really USA designed China manufactured mics. Oh, in case anyone complains about Behringer, well, that is a real person (from Germany).
These may be better than Studio Projects. I like the smaller "form factor" too. But for $550 or something a matched pair, I would rather pay the $800 and get Beyerdynamic, or pay less ($400?) and get a Studio Projects pair. Just seems like a lot of money for an unknown/unproven mic.
Oh yeah, I was just reading the spec (
http://mixonline.com/ms/aes2007/microphone-products/):
BERLINER CM33 STEREO MATCHED PAIR: The CM33 is an electret condenser pressure gradient transducer with a cardioid polar pattern. It features a 16mm diameter 3-micron, gold-plated Mylar diaphragm. Electronics are discrete FET with transformerless balanced output. Each package includes two factory matched CM33s, mic clips, and windscreens in a wood presentation case.
Electret? Can anyone confirm this? Nothing wrong with Electret, but this would make it different than the usual 797 element. The cool thing is that it could also be used as an *active capsule* as well. Coolest of all would be if you could buy replacement capsules for the CM33 and run with your own FET/battery box. Now *that* would be interesting... If they really do sound great.
Richard