Beyerdynamic M260 Ribbon

[arpodthegreat]

Has anybody used a beyerdynamic M260? i see them for $320 and wonder what the difference is between the M160. also it is not a figure 8 mic but a super or hyper cardiod. i have also seen some M500 ribbons. any advice? obviously i am trying to get my hands on a ribbon mic with out spending too much and i refuse to stoop down to Nady POS mics.
thank you

[petimar]

I love my M500, need a high gain clean pre with it.

[AGCurry]

The M260 is a specialized microphone, built for announcing with a presence rise and not-too-heavy proximity effect but good for many things. The M160 is for more general music-recording applications, with a flatter response curve. The M500's response is tailored for vocals. Yes, they are all hypercardioid. As Harvey Gerst once said, you can use any microphone for any source. Some are just better than others.

While the Beyer ribbons are good microphones, they all have small ribbons. If you want a TYPICAL (large-format) ribbon for not much $$, try to snag an old Shure on eBay.

[Han]

I happen to have three M260's and I'm very, if not extremely happy with them.

I've bought one from a guy who had bought it from the family of an old man who was a mic collector and has passed. This mic must be some 30 or even 40 years old and it looks like it's never been used, mint condition.

Great mics.

[Marik]

The M160 is a double ribbon, which explains its smoother top and bottom ends.