Topic: U89's vs TLM170's

[airbladder]

U89's vs TLM170's

What would you choose for recording live music?  What are some pro’s and con’s of each?  How do they sound different/similar?

Off the top of my head I can think of:
The 170's come in pairs and the 89's do not.  The 170's have a built in shock mount and wind screen and the 89's do not.  My memory tells me that the 89's have a smooth classic sound and the 170's are more flat and natural. 

Any help would be great.  I don’t think I am going to make my creditors happy and buy these any time soon.  However, I would like to better understand my dream rig.

[nic]

I believe the U89s are internaly shockmounted

[Craig T]

170s are more neutral, but can come across a bit dull sounding from a distance.  awesome bass.

89s are brighter, not quite the same low end sound.

both are wonderful, I prefer 170s on stage, 89s hypers from distant taper sections.

[Tim]

I agree with Craig's descriptions. I alwasy preferred the u89s over the 170's...

[Brian]

U89's all the way IMHO. 5 patterns, internally mounted, very crisp and full low end with excellent mid and high range frequency response.  I also like it's off-axis response better than the tlm170's as well.   

the TLM170's sound "tinny" & "hollow" and doesn't have that "neumann sound" ***to me*** The U89's do.  ymmv.  The only reason you should go with the TLM's is if A) they sound better to you and b)the fact that they are smaller.

[Tim]

the TLM170's sound "tinny" & "hollow" and doesn't have that "neumann sound" ***to me*** The U89's do.

tlm = transformerless

If I'm paying money for LD neumann's I want them to sound like LD neumann's