After seeing several posts on this and other boards about the Shure WL50x being a rebranded DPA 406x, I thought I'd check with DPA and Shure directly. Here's my email and the response from DPA. I'm curious if Shure will respond in identical fashion:
___________________________________________________
Dear Brian,
Thank you for your enquiry and interest in our products.
In answer to your specific question I can inform you that there is no connection between the Shure WL50 and the DPA microphones. (Some time ago Shure offered a WL61 which was a DPA product, but I believe this product is now discontinued from their line).
The DPA 406X is a superior product with better specifications, but the best evidence is to give it a listen yourself. Feel free to let me know where you are located and we will try to organize a demo for you.
Kind regards,
Craig Parrish
Craig Parrish, Sales & Marketing Manager
DPA Microphones A/S
Gydevang 42-44
DK-3450 Alleroed, Denmark
Ph: +45 4814 2828 Fax: +45 4814 2700
cap@dpamicrophones.com
www.dpamicrophones.com
-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra: Brian Skalinder [mailto:bskalinder@yahoo.com]
Sendt: 23. februar 2003 18:15
Til: info@dpamicrophones.com
Emne: DPA 406x and Shure WL50x
I'm an amateur audio recording enthusiast and am considering buying a pair of DPA 406x or Shure WL50x series of microphones. I'd appreciate if you could address a few questions I have, please:
[1] Are the DPA 406x series of microphones re-branded by Shure as the WL50x series?
[2] Are any of the DPA 406x components re-branded as Shure WL50x components?
[3] If the answer to [1] and/or [2] is yes, would you please detail the differences in design, build, and performance between these two series?
Just trying to find out the complete story on these two series of mics so I can make an informed decision. Thanks!
Regards,
Brian Skalinder
bskalinder@yahoo.com
Nice one, Brian. The record is straight.
Does anyone know of anyone who owned or used the WL61s, out of curiosity?
FWIW, Shure's response:
From: Info/shure@shure.com | This is Spam | Add to Address Book
Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 12:40:30 -0600
Subject: RE: Shure WL50x questions
To: bskalinder@yahoo.com
We did a few years back have a much more expensive DPA equivalent
microphone. We have designed our own mic and this current WL50 is not in any way a DPA microphone, but a Shure design.
-----Original Message-----
From: bskalinder [SMTP:bskalinder@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2003 6:31 AM
To: info
Cc: bskalinder
Subject: Shure WL50x questions
I'm an amateur audio recording enthusiast and am considering buying a
pair of Shure WL50x series of microphones. I'd appreciate if you
could address a few questions I have, please:
[1] Are the WL50x series of microphones re-branded DPA 406x series?
[2] Are any of the components of the WL50x re-branded DPA components?
[3] If the answer to [1] and/or [2] is yes, would you please detail
the differences in design, build, and performance between these two
series?
I believe Shure re-brands at least one piece of gear - the Sound
Devices MixPre as a Shure FP24 - and I'm looking forward to your
answers as the WL50x series is significantly less expensive than the
DPA 406x series. Thanks.
Regards,
Brian Skalinder
bskalinder@yahoo.com
Anyone know how it sounds? DPA equivalent? ;) ;)