AKG 414 ULS vs. XLS [Poll]

[F.O.Bean]

I had to start a poll and see which model of the 414's everyone prefers and why.....Thanks in advance everyone! The reason I poll'd this is because someone PM'd me and said the ULS/TLII sound better than the newer XLS/XLII, so I had to get some other opinions and see what I can do...hopefully someone wants to switch for awhile and maybe for good, tho id like to just outright buy some 414's for the right price Theyre really not as big as you'd think either, you can fit 2 ULS's into a pelican 1060 i believe

Thanks alot,
Bean

[sygdwm]

i would prefer the xls for the sub card pattern alone.

[PH]

The EB's are the best ones to get, but they are getting harder to find.
They have been out of production for a while now.

I like all of the varieties of this mic, it just sounds solid on most everything.
I picked up my pair off ebay for $1000. Already modded.
Great deal, be patient and those kind of deals are out there on these mics.

Cheers, Phil

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Already modded.

Anyone have or heard a straight up comp tape of the modded and stock versions?

[Kindguy]

Voted XLS. But I've only ran/owned XLS. I really liked them. Also the only mics I owned that sound fantastic XY.

[F.O.Bean]

Voted XLS. But I've only ran/owned XLS. I really liked them. Also the only mics I owned that sound fantastic XY.

agreed. jesse scott's recent RAQ recording was hypers/XY and it sounds like hypers DINa IMO. so spacious and full of sound I HATE XY with SD'd but with the 414's coincident is a beautiful thing

[F.O.Bean]

i would prefer the xls for the sub card pattern alone.

so it looks like the XLS's it is Now I am debating if I wanna sell the 480's to fund the purchase or just bite the bullet and buy some XLS's Ideally I would like both the 480's and the 414 XLS's anyway so.........

Thanks for all of the ideas and suggestions guys! I appreciate all of the responses!

Bean

[balou2]

i would prefer the xls for the sub card pattern alone.

so it looks like the XLS's it is Now I am debating if I wanna sell the 480's to fund the purchase or just bite the bullet and buy some XLS's Ideally I would like both the 480's and the 414 XLS's anyway so.........

Thanks for all of the ideas and suggestions guys! I appreciate all of the responses!

Bean

Somebody's gettin' tax money back!

[~~~>]

Sure hope you don't buy gear based on a 14 to 4 vote.     Surprise they all run the new ones.

Nashphil had the correct answer by the way.  Look at Gearslutz.  Read some reviews.  Read what Jim Williams has to say about the new 414's.  It ain't pretty.

JMO which ain't worth much.

[F.O.Bean]

Sure hope you don't buy gear based on a 14 to 4 vote.     Surprise they all run the new ones.

Nashphil had the correct answer by the way.  Look at Gearslutz.  Read some reviews.  Read what Jim Williams has to say about the new 414's.  It ain't pretty.

JMO which ain't worth much.

nope, just wondered what most folks preferred and why. i have wanted that subcard option BAD for a LONG time anyway so......even if i used it once a year

[spyder9]

Sure hope you don't buy gear based on a 14 to 4 vote.     Surprise they all run the new ones.

Nashphil had the correct answer by the way.  Look at Gearslutz.  Read some reviews.  Read what Jim Williams has to say about the new 414's.  It ain't pretty.

JMO which ain't worth much.

Here's what they have to say at gearslutz:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/search.php?searchid=3973899


A lot of good responses on the XLS over there.  Could you post the link for Jim Williams' opinion?

[musicsherlock]

Sure hope you don't buy gear based on a 14 to 4 vote.     Surprise they all run the new ones.

Nashphil had the correct answer by the way.  Look at Gearslutz.  Read some reviews.  Read what Jim Williams has to say about the new 414's.  It ain't pretty.

JMO which ain't worth much.

Here's what they have to say at gearslutz:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/search.php?searchid=3973899


A lot of good responses on the XLS over there.  Could you post the link for Jim Williams' opinion?

I'm not sure what Jim's opinion is on XLS vs. ULS... but I think he spoke highly of the teflon ring vs. brass...

found it: http://groups.google.com/group/rec.audio.pro/tree/browse_frm/thread/31e89207b5310d5b/5d364f98744f04d2?rnum=1&_done=%2Fgroup%2Frec.audio.pro%2Fbrowse_frm%2Fthread%2F31e89207b5310d5b%3Ftvc%3D1%26#doc_cfdee40b803a5c6a

[jessedscott]

Bean, it was hypers x,y, vert. sometime I run them horizontal x,y as well. Havn't tried the XLS series. I like the sound I get. very 'true' sound, imo. V3 adds a nice touch. Subcards would be nice. They handle real well up close as well.

split omni's I've made are some of my favorite recordings.

sample 1.  split 10ft. clamped to the stacks. in a bar. melow song, nice detail..

http://www.mediafire.com/?4nnlinjgmgd

sample 2. same config. more uptempo song..

http://www.mediafire.com/?0ywmwdmqhnd

[spyder9]

I'd really like to try the XLS' with the Aerco out in front.  I bet it sounds ridiculously smooth........   

[easy jim]

I'd really like to try the XLS' with the Aerco out in front.  I bet it sounds ridiculously smooth........   

So far, that has been my impression, although I have only tried out the combo a couple times.