Topic: CA14 vs AT853 vs AT943 (comp)

[nameloc01]

A few more 853 samples..I think the ass end is pretty decent on these...there're the only samples I can give.

http://www.collectiveunconscious.org/07arena0605.html

http://www.collectiveunconscious.org/07arena0701b.html

http://www.collectiveunconscious.org/07arena0703c.html

[hypnotoad]

The samples were:

1. AT853
2. AT943
3. CA-14

Good analysis by Brian and I would think either the 853's or the CA-14's are very acceptable and comparable. Oh those 943's    I didn't like what I heard from them to my ears.

If someone was just entering the market and interchangable caps wasn't an issue, CA-14's would be a good pick. Need caps? 853's without question.  Anyone with the slim 943 bodies could get the adapters and 853 caps, would be a nice upgrade.

I'm really surprised that #2 (943's) sound was so far lower than the other two.  That's what threw me off when I listened the first time. When I've taped with the 853/943 mic caps back to back I've never had my 943s give off sound so much more down the scale.

In fact, I taped a two night show awhile back using the 853s for the first night, and then the 943s for the second night.  I ended up liking my first night tape better, as it had some deeper lows/bass on it.  Night #2 came out great too, but not enough on the deep in for my liking.

[Church-Audio]

One thing we all have to remember generally speaking the smaller the diaphragm the less bass a mic usually will have this rule especially applies to Cardioid mics.

[taperwheeler]

So I checked and my sp-cmc-8 mics have the at933 bodies with the adapters and the 853 card caps.  Out of curiosity, would anyone have any input as to a comparison b/w the 853 and 943 omni's?

[Belexes]

^I don't have the 853 omnis, otherwise I could do the comparison.

[Sunday Driver]

Chances are the phantom adaptor you will use will have a bass roll off on it.

I've never seen an Audio Technica phantom power module that had bass roll off and couldn't be turned off with a switch. Maybe that's a new product by Audio Technica. 
The Nady CBM-40T has no bass roll off and is even cheaper. In fact, sometimes I get too much bass to my liking with mine.

[Javier Cinakowski]

I doubt the nady is better than the AT phantom adapter.  I have read the AT's use really nice tranformers in those adapters....

[Sunday Driver]

I doubt the nady is better than the AT phantom adapter.  I have read the AT's use really nice tranformers in those adapters....

Their AT8531 "box" module is a POS- I'd be the first to admit that. The transformer inside looks similar to the ones you can get from digikey for about $2. When you use them on batter power, it changes the sound- the signal is more noisy and "flatter".

[nameloc01]

I have the 8532 phantom power modules/adaptors and the Nady cbm40s(used with a ps2). While the AT boxes do give you about 145 db of spl handling ability,yes..that much, they do not sound *nearly* as good as the Nadys/Denecke ,those giving you about 138db to work with. They do have a R/O, and it is switchable.
Like described above, they sound *extremely* flat.

[nameloc01]

My point was that the Nadys sound a 1000% better.

[Church-Audio]

Chances are the phantom adaptor you will use will have a bass roll off on it.

I've never seen an Audio Technica phantom power module that had bass roll off and couldn't be turned off with a switch. Maybe that's a new product by Audio Technica. 
The Nady CBM-40T has no bass roll off and is even cheaper. In fact, sometimes I get too much bass to my liking with mine.

I would be willing to test a Nady vs an AT module if someone wants to send me them.

Chris

[nameloc01]

I'm half tempted to just have you rebuild both boxes. They sound like ass as is, but the casings are sweet as hell.

[69mako]

Belexes,
Thanks for the comp.  It's good to hear the sound of mics side-by-side.

Mako

[Javier Cinakowski]

oh, were talking about the AT phantom/bat boxes than run on battery too?  I was thinking of the barrel shaped phantom adapters...

[nameloc01]

I don't know about the other type, I can only comment on the boxes, 8532s ( which will also serve as adaptors to an outside power source if need be). Crapola.