Apex 205 Ribbon mic for under $100?...

[kidvybes]

...just ran across this while browsing...looks like a great deal (half-price!)...same as the Shiny Box but much cheaper...anybody using this one yet?...

http://www.frontendaudio.com/SearchR...arch.y=16&mfg=

specs:
http://www.apexelectronics.com/index.php?tmp=4&id=1343

[kid klash]

It looks quite like the ShinyBox 46; in that it looks smaller than the 23, and has a detachable cable. The ShinyBox 46 costs $150, where this Apex 205 is $90. Sounds like a good deal... I wonder how their service is? I've heard that the service and communication through ShinyBox is great, as is their warranty support when needed.

[MichaelJoly]

This looks like a move by Apex to defend the lower end of the ribbon market by reducing profit margin to put a squeeze on Shiny Box. The buzz generated for the brand long-term would probably make up for the slim or non-existant margin on that mic.

Interesting mic user's dilemma - Shop for lowest price or support a retailing craftsman?

[kid klash]

Originally Posted by MichaelJoly

This looks like a move by Apex to defend the lower end of the ribbon market by reducing profit margin to put a squeeze on Shiny Box. The buzz generated for the brand long-term would probably make up for the slim or non-existant margin on that mic.

Interesting mic user's dilemma - Shop for lowest price or support a retailing craftsman?

Well said. It could also be a formal response to what I've read in this thread :
http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=180964

Maybe the direct-ship, no distributor, no-name group buy is actually what triggered the lower price, not trying to side-step ShinyBox?

The plot thickens. Personally, I think I'll still buy mine from ShinyBox because of the great service and no-hassle warranty... that's worth the extra $50 to be... FWIW.

[kidvybes]

...you guys need to keep in mind that one of our own "Warhead" (Warren) is part of the Front End Audio crew...so "keepin' it in the family" ain't a bad way to go either...remember what they say, "All's Fair in Love and War(head)"...

...well, "mine" is already on the way...shipped in the blink of an eye...can't beat that! (I'll post my impressions once I try the mic)...maybe Warren will chime in on this mic...bigups to Front End Audio!...

[kid klash]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...you guys need to keep in mind that one of our own "Warhead" (Warren) is part of the Front End Audio crew...so "keepin' it in the family" ain't a bad way to go either...remember what they say, "All's Fair in Love and War(head)"...

Also a good point - I didn't put Front End Audio and Warhead together - my bad. Warren is a good guy.

[MichaelJoly]

Originally Posted by kid klash

Maybe the direct-ship, no distributor, no-name group buy is actually what triggered the lower price, not trying to side-step ShinyBox?

True, a different form of competitive threat.

Its going to be interesting to see how the established companies that buy and re-sell Chinese mics go about protecting their turf. Lower prices, "custom" models with better performance, vendor pressure, PR buzz around the brand and / or improved service.

[kid klash]

I also noticed that the ShinyBox version comes in a cool little case, but the Apex info doesn't mention a case (or maybe I missed it?)

[Zetajazz44]

Originally Posted by kid klash

I also noticed that the ShinyBox version comes in a cool little case, but the Apex info doesn't mention a case (or maybe I missed it?)

I'm sure the Apex comes in the same little case..etc...

What bothers me is that if these retailers ARE dropping their pricing now due to the group buy, this means that for all this time THEY could have been selling mics to us at this cheaper price...right? They didn't...

I was in the group buy... Who knows, I/we might not even like the sound of the mics anyways, then all of this would be moot... Still I hope they sound fine...

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by kid klash

I also noticed that the ShinyBox version comes in a cool little case, but the Apex info doesn't mention a case (or maybe I missed it?)

...I called APEX directly and they told me the 205 comes with the padded bag (same as the Nady version)...

[cominginsecond]

Apparantly, this mic isn't out until March. I talked to Warren at Front End about it.

[kid klash]

Yeah - I Emailed them, and Warren replied almost immediately with the same info (padded bag, March availability). So, if you're not in a hurry and a padded bag is good enough, it sounds like a good deal.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by cominginsecond

Apparantly, this mic isn't out until March. I talked to Warren at Front End about it.

...that would be odd 'cause Front End already sent me a UPS shipping confirmation for my order...wonder wassup with that?...

...OK...they've updated the web page to state "Pre-Order Now" for March availability...

[cominginsecond]

I'd call him.

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Zetajazz44

Who knows, I/we might not even like the sound of the mics anyways, then all of this would be moot... Still I hope they sound fine...

...the similar/same Shiny Box model sounds very nice...very similar sounding to the larger model (uses the same ribbon element I believe)...definately a very usable option (different "flava") to the standard dynamic or condenser mic...

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...OK...they've updated the web page to state "Pre-Order Now" for March availability...

...and now they've removed the "Pre-Order Now" status...kinda confusing...

[kid klash]

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...and now they've removed the "Pre-Order Now" status...kinda confusing...

Maybe they've received a shipment of mics, and they're ready to ship?

[crazydoc]

Originally Posted by cominginsecond

Apparantly, this mic isn't out until March. I talked to Warren at Front End about it.

Probably coming on the same boat as our "group buy" mics.

[junplugged]

i didn't like the sound samples, kind of reminds me of the sound that i've been trying to not get from my acoustic guitar recordings imo

[Warhead]

Hey guys, sorry about any confusion on the 205. We had initially ordered them and assumed they would be showing up...until we got a few orders and checked on the status so we could fill them...and that's when Apex decides to tell us March.

March is correct, probably late March at that!

War

For what it's worth, the padded bag with the 210 is super cheaply made...the first time I ever unbuttoned one the button flew off. But those mics aren't bad for the low dough.