Neumann U87Ai Microphone vs GoToToolz GTZ87+ Clone 

Snag yours here (I was NOT compensated and there is NO affiliate program): gototoolz.com/shop/ols/products/275989459-diy-u87-style-clone-condenser-microphone

Not gonna lie that knockoff sounds pretty dang good

Nice comparison, thanks! The Neumann obviously a lot cleaner less of that brittle airy brightness that GTZ has. I’m not saying GTZ is bad, it’s just Neumann seems to have a built in deesser to cut off those super bright airy highs.

On flat comparison: U87A sounds natural, GTZ87 sounds similar but accentuates the "S's" so you'll probably need a de-esser when processing. Fair comparison, thanks Chuck!

OUTSTANDING comparison, thank you. Was going to buy the Warm Audio 87, but just ordered a GTZ87 instead.

Thank you for this comparison. I’ve been looking for it for a while. Now I will definitely get myself a pair.

This guy’s voice gives me chills

I think I hear a bit more midrange clarity on the GTZ87 to be honest. Excellent comparison.

Heard about the GTZ mics. Sounds pretty good considering the price. They have a 103 clone too.

Honestly I can’t tell the difference. They both sound AWESOMESAUCE!!!

Entertaining and revealing, thanks!

I want to thank you for this, Im purchasing the GoToToolz one for now, to make some singing samples and perfecting my technique, in my humble opinion, when you are out of a big budget, what matters is a mic that captures your full voice and color, the rest of the problems can be fixed one way or another, the ssss, the highs, etc, little bit of seeing few videos and tweak the EQ and I think the result will be greatly satisfying. This is why Im buying it and not buy a well known brand in this price range, because at that price range the mics don't capture your full voice either the richness of ones color, unless you buy mic preamps, good equipment which in the end it will cost more than double! Capturing the full body of your voice and color, is what makes Neumann well known. Basically they created mics in which your voice sounds like that one you have in your head. I will buy the original Neumann when I am ready for a full professional recording, for someone who is experimenting this one is more than amazing. I sub to your channel, thank you so much for this work and helping people like me to make good purchases to our satisfaction. EDIT: the capsule is RK47, which means the capsule mimics the mic of U47 and what I notice is that the vocals in this video are highly similar to that. Aside from the sss and high ends. Which is actually a good thing, U87 makes the voices sound too technical. For old vintage lovers this mic is a dream to work with EQ. The possibilities are endless for us.

This was the most entertaining review ever

Neumann was acquired by Sennheiser Electronic GmbH in 1991.

Definitely would have loved to hear an A/B switching every few seconds of each voice character rather than wait until the end just he did during the reading so I wouldn't have to try to remember . I have to admit , what I did hear was both mics sounding similar in some ways , yet you can hear that the GTZ 87 is brighter. Nice

GTZ87. I'd love to know if you can recommend it and is the difference is worth it between it and the GTZ87+? Also which tube did you opt for(RK47 or RK12)? Also, your vocal chain sounds amazing.

Oh, and your Morgan Freeman impression is spectacular!

Great review!! gone are the days where you have to go broke to buy a mic you're going to eq and compress and de ess anyway. With all the plug ins that allow you to effectively mimic more expensive mics and rooms. I'm gonna cop both for the price with the other mics I have this works fine for me.

I ended up getting the GTZ87+. Compared to the Rode NT1 5th Gen that I returned, the GTZ87+ sounds like it's much more capable of achieving a crispy, clean top end which is what I was excited to find in a mic at this price range. However I am a bit disappointed with the concentration of information around a certain hissing frequency. It makes the microphone sound bad without surgical EQ'ing - and now that I've noticed this difference, I can hear it in the video in comparison to the Neumann. I might download the audio from this video to try to see if I can get an effects chain that can model the Neumann. Overall I'm disappointed that the mic is unusable to me without a lot of polishing, where I recorded some cool songs with the Rode NT1 right out of the box, but I do still think that the GTZ87 will get me closer to the tone I'm after in the end.

Saludos y muchas gracias por la revisión, nos sirve mucho, podrías hacer algo con el GTZ 103 por favor?

Thanks! Bit confusing as it appears Ian now offers multiple variations of the clone, some perhaps introduced after you recorded this(?) Can you tell me which of the GTZ 87 versions genuinely is closest to a stock Neumann 87ai ?? What I find on the website now is: GTZ 87Ai, "Vintage", GTZ 87, GTZ 87+, AND a GTZ 87+ , with a couple of capsule options ( listed as: "GTZ 87+Capsule Upgraded" and a choice of RK47 or RK12 Capsule). If I'm not mistaken the 87Ai capsule was based on the 67, but these capsule names suggest they're modeled after the U47 or C12. Would like to pick the "right" one -- but my head's spinning a little; )

I own a GTZ 103 and GTZ 87 and love them both. The GTZ 103 has some more mid-high range clarity compared to the GTZ 87 but, these mics are such a great price for what you get. I think if you're an aspiring artist or voice actor, the GTZ 87 or GTZ 103 might be perfect since they are generally inexpensive. I own a Slate Digital VMS microphone and comparing it to the GTZ 87, the smoothness of the GTZ 87 is almost superior. The Neumann U87 is obviously great sounding but, I really think the GTZ 87+ may sound nicer in some ways with some mid range clarity. But, the Neumann U87 has such a crystal clear bass... which is almost unbeatable by many mics. I think the Neumann mic is a clear winner in some ways but, the GTZ 87+ (capsuled upgraded GTZ 87) sounds very close. The Neumann has a really cool clarity that is just so perfect. Great review!

The u87 just has that natural warmth factor that the other mic doesn’t have. Still sounds solid tho

Had to come back and hear your Morgan Freeman impersonation. So snacky ❤

You should have labeled the clone as the real one and vice versa. Then reveal it at the end. I bet everyone who saw the label on the fake one would have said it sounded better.

Thanks for the video. My advice to folks: just get a Rode NT1A or NT2A (I have both) for a similar price. Rode is a proper, no BS, well established mic company. The mics sound good, come with long warranties, and will likely feature components that are far more reliable than any Neumann knockoff. I'm not a company shill, just a user with experience. Cheers.

for all social media purposes the GTZ is good enough. before i was using a Sennheiser e945 (occasionally $100 in Europe), just peferct for speakers/moderators. now i've got two very, very good mics for low budget (GTZ used on eBay $140 incl. shipping to Europe)

as a professional do you think they sound similar ? because i just listened on my Yamaha HS5 and my DT770 and they sound so close specially in the mid range but just curious about your own personal experience and i would like to hear your opinion ?

Which one sounds better for it's price? Rhode nt1 or this gtz Neumann clon?

What are you using for processing? Makes a big difference. An expander or something?

The Neumann sounds a little softer and fuller but it's actually super hard to tell the difference.

Just when i was about to buy the WA87 which has a very noticeable difference to the real thing but GTZ 87 is just a better clone the price helps alot vele

The GTZ has more sibilance, but it's pretty close.

Am I crazy, or does the GTZ87+ sound crispier and warmer? I just got one in the mail from Ebay. I'm still trying to figure out if it sounds better than my TLM 103.

just ordered last night

On which website is it reliable to buy this microphone? I am interested, I am from Chile. greetings

That Morgan Freeman deserves an award!!! Hey, curious, with the processing, did you process them differently with the EQ to sort of cater to the mic/or get them to sound closer to each other, or was it the exact same for both mics?

The GTZ high end is harsh. I have the GTZ 103 and U47+, I was a little underwhelmed.

I like the clone better sounds a bit brighter without EQ

The neumann has a sotfer high for the reedy nasal rattle

GTZ87 catches room reflections more strongly.

The u87 have a more smooth sound very relaxed and a little more body.

I have a rode nt1-A Should I switch to gtz 87?

The GTZ 87 upgrade sounds brighter than the U87ai, but I've heard the U87ai is brighter than the U87. So I'm wondering if it means the GTZ upgrade is brighter than both?

Excellent a/b, thanks a lot. Although i think if one can't hear the chasm of difference a visit to the audiologist is in order. The gototoolz is a Rhode nt1.. The Neuman is a neuman and, while it's fair these days that the way tv/movie audio is ultra processed one could argue why care, the neuman will survive all those dreadful digital comp/eq procedures way better than the cheap thing. But it's all about illussion and dare i say deception. People are convinced if it looks like it, it must be it.

Where is the answer to which is which ?

So uh… where the time codes at?

U87 AI doesn't get terrible.

gtz87+ is dope. I can’t believe it cost only 250$.

Morgan Freeman….nope! Swing and a miss but good comparison 🇨🇦👍🏻

the neumann sounds better- gtz has more lows

This GTZ is a common variation on the theme of "cheap microphone" and it sounds terrible compared to neumann. In post-processing, the sound of this Chinese microphone will crumble like a sandcastle on a beach in bad weather

very entertaining

i like the knock off better