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moosers
Published on 08/21/09 at 09:08
The Neumann KM 84s are a pair of small diaphragm condenser microphones. They are designed for use in the recording studio and since they are expensive and fragile they aren't meant for live recording or use outside of the studio.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using the Neumann KM 84s for about a year and they are definitely some of the best small diaphragm condenser microphones that I've used. While they are very similar to the modern KM 184s, these are the microphones that they made before these newer models and in some ways they sound better. While most wouldn't be able to tell the difference and it doesn't really matter because both the KM 84s and the KM 184s are incredible mics, but these seem to have a slightly warmer sound. I've used the Neumann KM 84s mostly as drum overheads and they really give you an awesome sound for this. I've also used these mics for recording violin, mandolin and for picking up the high end on an acoustic guitar. They will work great for pretty much any application where you want a crisp high end sound. Since these mics have the Neumann stamp you know that you are getting a great mic as I've truly never used a Neumann microphone that I didn't enjoy using. However, because these are no longer made they are pretty hard to find and will cost you a bit more money than the newer KM 184s. For this reason unless you stumble upon a good deal on these, it is probably best just to pick up a pair of KM 184s because they are easier to access and have a very comparable sound quality. All in all, the Neumann KM 84s are an incredible set of microphones that I wouldn't highly recommend to any professional or home studio owner who can afford them.
OVERALL OPINION
I've been using the Neumann KM 84s for about a year and they are definitely some of the best small diaphragm condenser microphones that I've used. While they are very similar to the modern KM 184s, these are the microphones that they made before these newer models and in some ways they sound better. While most wouldn't be able to tell the difference and it doesn't really matter because both the KM 84s and the KM 184s are incredible mics, but these seem to have a slightly warmer sound. I've used the Neumann KM 84s mostly as drum overheads and they really give you an awesome sound for this. I've also used these mics for recording violin, mandolin and for picking up the high end on an acoustic guitar. They will work great for pretty much any application where you want a crisp high end sound. Since these mics have the Neumann stamp you know that you are getting a great mic as I've truly never used a Neumann microphone that I didn't enjoy using. However, because these are no longer made they are pretty hard to find and will cost you a bit more money than the newer KM 184s. For this reason unless you stumble upon a good deal on these, it is probably best just to pick up a pair of KM 184s because they are easier to access and have a very comparable sound quality. All in all, the Neumann KM 84s are an incredible set of microphones that I wouldn't highly recommend to any professional or home studio owner who can afford them.