Episode 6 Chinese Copy of a Neumann TLM 103 

Amazing, it really sounds very decent, buying the fake ones and then applying a little bit boost or cut to the EQ and your good to go. And for the saved $3500 dollar, you could buy any analog Neve, SSL or UAD channel strip or rack unit instead.❤❤❤

cant believe how good it sounds...bang for your buck at a completely new level

I bought one of these a few months ago, and they're surprisingly close to authentic... expecially the 34mm diaphram version (they offered a 28mm too I believe). Certainly usable for voice acting as a backup!

I might be missing something, but to my ears, the 35 quid copy sounds a bit clearer. Whether it can handle instruments and high spl levels, remains to be seen, but certainly for vocals it sounds amazing, especially for that price.

much better than the bm-800, that's for darn sure. 😅👍👍

I held it up to the light expecting a smaller one, but as far as I can see it's 25 or 30mm - I cannot be sure without dismantling it.

Well I must be getting cloth eared! To be honest, very little difference between them!! Quite useful as a back up I'd say!!

I have to add my 2 cents and agree with the other folks commenting - it sound pretty darned good for a cheap copy. Not a lot of difference except maybe the levels. The only thing I can see to get a better comparison would be a recording a complete audio spectrum which would be a great deal more complex and involved. I've got a few good mikes for what I do, but, yes, for someone starting out, this should be a nice purchase. My only concern is the plastic parts - I've had numerous Chinese plastic things that soon break!!!!

I'm listening with DT 770 pro 250's without a headphone amp and it sounds pretty decent. As long as it doesn't have any branding on it it might be a good little mic. I wonder how long it will last though

The chinese copy sounds a bit airy as your "S" and "T" pretty much stands out while the original TLM103 has less noise and the 1k freq were toned down a bit.

I got the TLM103 copy from Temu today. It came with a different kind of shockmount which is also made of matte titanium-colored plastic. At least it's lighter if you use a boom arm instead of a desktop stand. If you run it through a decent preamp and fool around with the EQ, I'm sure it'll sound even better.

The snag is it's gone - to be honest, there's not much point me keeping many of the mics I feature, as for my work, they're not in the mic box - but I'll keep this in mind if I can devise some kind of meaningful test - so much depends on the environment the test is done in, so as the acoustics of the studio change, it messes up repeatability. The desk in this video is now facing a different way so I can use the space better. Best wishes Paul

In terms of Price difference which one is a SCAM?🤔

I just bought one for $8.99(although I have two actual 103’s). I got it because it was on sale and I wanted something cheap for the kids to use.

Fun fact, a real tlm-103 does not have a balanced output. While it does use an XLR connector and it does run off of phantom power its audio circuit actually converts the input of your console or interface to unbalanced.

It could be equally good in terms of audip quality but it would differ in terms of longevity. Original TLM 103 last for decades retaining its good quality but the chinese copy may not even last 3-5 years, just a thought.

It sounds so bad in the high frequency it sounds like your in a untreated room unlike the real mic. A beginner could use this mic but it would cause lots of frustration most would quit because trying to get it to sound correctly. Imaging adding verb to it😂

where does one buy the copy?

Thank you for the video - I dont have the money to get an expensive mic. But this might be good for recording my guitars :)

Can you do a spectral analysis of the mic?

The Neumann is not worth 30 times the price of this mic. The copy would be fine for most people.

the copy sounds much better....

Link?

Funny comments. Could sell them anything as long as it looks pro.

You have the link for buy .

Had a comment - but it vanisshed from Arup Sircar. He said: Dear Sir...is Blue Ember a decent match with Audient id 14 mk 2.. After ur review I ordered the clone tlm 103..hope things works out better.. Thnx Sir for the nice comparison review. These mics have been around for a few years now and are quite neutral - people I respect like them and label them as good value for money. The interface is a bit odd. Gets nice reviews but for some reason has very little possibilities in the monitoring department - maybe you can work around this, and possibly it's the ADAT interface that you want. Most interfaces can do the monitor mixes, but is that going to work with your system? Probabloy not one I'd choose.

Thanks that what I looking for

it works with an xlr cable sir !!!

Does the Chinese copy has any serial number?

thanks next time talk closer for comparing mics sounded alright to me

The original sounds thicker and richer

Is your Mike the 25mm capsule

is it whiskey? no, it's a replica. hmmm.... well, what the hell, cheers!

make more video i really enjoy your vids

Sir how do you open the tlm 103 to get to the grounding wire? I think mine has disconnected after it was dropped.

Sir , could you suggest which affordable Pre amp is good for a TLM 103, as of now my set up is with TLM 103+ scarlet solo +DAW - Need more colorful sound : ) for VO's - HELP

2:23 It's weird that they deliver this kind of cable when this microphone needs 48 V. However, are you sure it's needs 48 V? Did you try the mike without 48 V? Because every dynamic mike works perfectly with switched on 48 V. provided you use the right cable. That's why it's called "phantom power".

They sound similar to me.

Does it work if you turn off the phantom power? I forgot to ask you that.

well, you just sold about a thousand of these, congrats...

need instrument and singing and an analysis of noise floor - why go thru the trouble of making a video if its just talking - talking doesnt really cut it

Neumann TLM 103 is 100 times better than a copy iv also got a copy it is rubbish