Topic: CA14 vs AT853 vs AT943 (comp)

[Belexes]

I decided to do a comp of the CA14's, AT853's, and the AT943's. (all cardioids)

Loud music out of one home stereo speaker. X-Y mic config a few feet from a Klipsch Chorus II speaker.  Not scientific in the least, but better than nothing.

Mics > 9100 > Sony D50

I strung them all together into one file.

24 bit:
http://www.2shared.com/file/4601423/1d7404a8/mic_comp.html

I'll post what was what in a few days, Samples 1, 2 and 3. Guesses are welcome.

[Belexes]

16 bit file:
http://www.2shared.com/file/4601481/9958d0e/mic_comp_16bit.html

[nameloc01]

How are the ATs wired?

[gossling]

Thanks for the comparison!

I'm not gonna guess which is which, but the second one is clearly the weakest, to my ears.  The first sounds sounds clearer to me than the third (especially the percussion), but the differences are subtle.  Any chance you could upload the original source? Or do the same test with the D-50's internal microphones for further comparison?

Thanks again

[Jeremy Lykins]

I agree that the second one is the weakest (please don't be the ca-14's).  The first and third sounded a lot alike to me.  I prefer the first source until the vocals start, but I like the third source better during the vocals. 

[willndmb]

2nd is def the worst imo too
no where near enough listening to any of these mics to guess what might be what though

[hypnotoad]

I'll take a stab at it...

a. AT853
b. CA14
c. AT943

[gossling]

OK, now I can't resist :
1. AT943
2. CA-14
3. AT843

[hypnotoad]

I'm thinking the first set of mics was the 853s.  To my ears the bass was a tad more defined/deeper on the 1st set, and the overall sound was a bit more airy than the 3rd set of mics.

Well there it is.  That's the limb I'm climbing out on.

[Belexes]

No one has gotten it right so far, but I do agree the 2nd is the weakest and there are only subtle differences between #1 and #3.

[Brian Skalinder]

I agree sample 2 sounds notably different from the other two samples.  It's also quieter.  Average RMS values for each sample:

(1)  Average RMS Power:   -22.69 dB   -22.42 dB
(2)  Average RMS Power:   -26.41 dB   -26.33 dB
(3)  Average RMS Power:   -22.7 dB   -22.45 dB

For my listening, I added +3.7/3.9 dB to sample 2's L/R channels to match the RMS with the other samples.  Sounded closer in loudness to me after doing so.

Sample 2 sounds significantly brighter to my ears, which I found grating fairly quickly -- I just stopped listening.  Dramatically different from the other samples.  As for the other two...

Sample 1 sounded more balanced and a bit darker to my ears than sample 3.  The HF seems a little more pronounced in sample 3 relative to sample 1 and to my ears shares a bit of the sample 2 character.  Sample 3's midrage also stood out a bit more for me, for example, the guitar.  I found sample 1's LF a bit looser and more robust, but not sloppy, while sample 3's was a little lighter and tighter.  God hates a coward, so even though I'm not familiar with any of these mics, I'll give it a go:

(1)  CA-14
(2)  AT943
(3)  AT853

All in all, I agree with others who found the differences between 1 and 3 subtle, and I'd be happy with either sample 1 or 3.

[Liquid Drum]

Sample 1 is best to me. Sample 2 is much quieter but also is very trebly.

I am guessin' sample 2 is the 943's (although I hope not lol).

[hypnotoad]

No one has gotten it right so far, but I do agree the 2nd is the weakest and there are only subtle differences between #1 and #3.

Really?  Interesting.  If that's the case I might have to raise #2 like Brian and re listen to everything.  I never thought of changing the audio.  

Edit - raised/relistened/and thought the sound of #2 ended up being closer to the others.

[EarlyMorningRain]

if no one is correct yet, then I'll guess this

(1)  AT853
(2)  AT943
(3)  CA-14

[Jeremy Lykins]

Sample 1 sounded more balanced and a bit darker to my ears than sample 3.  The HF seems a little more pronounced in sample 3 relative to sample 1 and to my ears shares a bit of the sample 2 character.  Sample 3's midrage also stood out a bit more for me, for example, the guitar.  I found sample 1's LF a bit looser and more robust, but not sloppy, while sample 3's was a little lighter and tighter.

That's exactly what I thought, but I didn't know how to say it.