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Post by crillemannen on May 22, 2022 8:53:35 GMT -6
Hey,
So I recently scored a nice pair of Km86s so I thought that I'd do an episode trying out the KM86 on various sources. And since I also own a couple of km84s I thought that I throw in a comparison too since I suspect people want to hear that too!
So my initial impression regarding the comparison was that the KM86 was a bit better. In a mixed context and using Cardiod the difference isn't that big but since you get 3 different polar patterns with the km86 it's quite the gem. Sounds quite nice on vocals and extremely nice on the guitar!
You can also download the raw files if you want to check those out!
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Post by NoTomorrow on May 22, 2022 10:09:27 GMT -6
Thx for doing this.... will check out
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Post by spindrift on May 22, 2022 11:36:41 GMT -6
I’ve found that the 86s have more “reach” if that makes sense. And their null is quite deep when in fig8.
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Post by mike on May 29, 2022 19:15:53 GMT -6
Nice job, thanks for sharing this, loved the 86!
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Post by Johnkenn on May 29, 2022 20:02:03 GMT -6
Please don’t make me listen to this and then have to have an 86. I had almost gotten over that.
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Post by chessparov on May 29, 2022 20:26:36 GMT -6
I second that emotion! Chris
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2022 21:27:09 GMT -6
On guitar yes, on vocals no way..
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Post by hadaja on May 29, 2022 23:58:41 GMT -6
So are we selling the km86’s?
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Post by crillemannen on May 30, 2022 0:59:30 GMT -6
So are we selling the km86’s? I mean I have a very nice pair of km84s but after this I would probably keep the 86s before the 84s. They sound a bit richer to me even in cardiod. But hey! Money is nice so if someone would offer me a crazy amount of money I'm up for it 🤣
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Post by chessparov on May 30, 2022 1:09:35 GMT -6
Sounded great to me. I'm not much of a judge, regarding guitars. Beautiful demo song. Thanks, Chris
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Post by crillemannen on May 30, 2022 2:23:38 GMT -6
On guitar yes, on vocals no way.. I thought it sounded great ok vocals. A SDC is a bit more sensitive to head movement etc but I was positively surprised. Sure I'd prefer a tube mic ok vocals but hey! I have to try my V76 with the KM86s 😁
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2022 2:26:56 GMT -6
On guitar yes, on vocals no way.. I thought it sounded great ok vocals. A SDC is a bit more sensitive to head movement etc but I was positively surprised. Sure I'd prefer a tube mic ok vocals but hey! I have to try my V76 with the KM86s 😁 I mean great singing as always Crille but the mic was too muddy / bloomy for my tastes. It's all subjective..
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Post by Martin John Butler on May 30, 2022 10:00:31 GMT -6
This was a very well done comparison, thanks Crille.
Contrasted with the KM86, the KM84 sounds kind of nasally. But then perhaps the KM86 pulled back a few inches would make it less boomy. I'd have to try one to see.
The odd thing is that in songs with lots of instrumentation, the KM84 is amazing. It somehow manages to cut through but never sounds peaky or annoying.
This is one of the things that separates some big time recordings from the homespun or mid-level studio, the mic choices. In the Chris Stapleton video of his song "Starting Over", he's using two vintage U47's and an RCA ribbon mic for his guitar and vocal.
Having both a KM84 and KM86 available would be ideal, choose the better mic for the song.
This is the first time I've heard a KM86. It's a bit boomy in the low end for my taste, but you can certainly hear the Neumann magic.
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 30, 2022 16:50:07 GMT -6
Crille, I enjoy your vids. Nice comparison.
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Post by chessparov on May 30, 2022 17:59:27 GMT -6
Yes. For once in my life, got to hear those two together that way. (Cues "It Takes Two"/Marvin and Tammi) Chris
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Post by bricejchandler on May 31, 2022 12:29:30 GMT -6
Cool video!
On acoustic I like the KM84 quite a bit better. I find the pick attack more pleasing. It seems like it would sit in the mix better, for my taste at least.
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Post by Ward on May 31, 2022 14:01:29 GMT -6
Why are KM86s selling for $4900? Apart from the obvious economics of supply and demand.
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Post by thecolourfulway on Jun 2, 2022 1:25:30 GMT -6
I’m very excited to listen to this more carefully! Even on a cursory listen on my phone the 86 sounded noticeably more present than the 84 on acoustic…enough so that it maybe comes down to the age and condition of the capsules, and the electronics, rather than the head basket right? That was my initial impression, but I’ll have to give a closer listen. Also, your 86s appear to be black - are they Km76s (12v rather than 48v)? I don’t believe 76s sound any different from 86s just a point of interest for me. I have a KM76 and it’s probably my favorite mic even more than my U67 (but don’t tell my U67 that…). Cheers!
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Post by crillemannen on Jun 2, 2022 2:51:10 GMT -6
I’m very excited to listen to this more carefully! Even on a cursory listen on my phone the 86 sounded noticeably more present than the 84 on acoustic…enough so that it maybe comes down to the age and condition of the capsules, and the electronics, rather than the head basket right? That was my initial impression, but I’ll have to give a closer listen. Also, your 86s appear to be black - are they Km76s (12v rather than 48v)? I don’t believe 76s sound any different from 86s just a point of interest for me. I have a KM76 and it’s probably my favorite mic even more than my U67 (but don’t tell my U67 that…). Cheers! I do own 3 mint KM84s so I know the ones I have are up to spec and sound like they should. I had to go through a couple to find the extra one that matched my pair. About the KM86s, sure they used but to my ears they sound as they should. I mean in cardiod there is just a tiny difference which is most likely the headbaskets impact. But sure they're 40y old so you never know. The km8* series came in both silver and black for all i know. The ones I have and used in this test are 100% Km86s atleast The biggest give away for me if a microphone is sick is usually that the low-end is thinned out. I've heard that in both KM84 and u87s. But sure it's always good to have them checked once in a while
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Post by sean on Jun 2, 2022 7:39:34 GMT -6
One of the major advantages of a KM86 in my experience is the side address makes it a lot easier to use on a heavy breather or a singing instrumentalist...the rejection is incredible especially in figure 8. I can't use KM84's on some musicians...you know the ones that hold their breath and then exhale strongly through their nose...because the side vent pick that up so strongly.
I've been thinking about selling a pair of my KM84's and trying to track down some KM86's but prices have really gone through the roof.
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Post by christopher on Jun 2, 2022 10:00:28 GMT -6
I’m sure there will be some clones hitting the market soon. It crossed my mind to DIY some out of KM184’s about a year ago.. if I was thinking that then I’m sure all these KM84 clone makers are thinking the same thing
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Post by thecolourfulway on Jun 2, 2022 15:38:22 GMT -6
KM86 clone, now that’s a pair I would be all over!
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Post by Vincent R. on Jun 3, 2022 12:48:40 GMT -6
Omni on acoustic sounded gorgeous.
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Jun 6, 2022 12:14:54 GMT -6
KM-86 has more low-end. Don't even think about using it without a shock mount. We found the Shure A53M worked as well, if not better than the much more expensive Neumann.
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Post by chessparov on Jun 6, 2022 12:37:28 GMT -6
I could hear it! Chris
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