Studio Projects "B" series?

[Casper]

A lot has been written in this forum about the Studio Projects "C" series microphones. What's the deal with the "B" series. Why are they so much cheaper? Comparing the specs from the web site shows that the B3 is more sensitive and has a lower self noise than the C3. Though the specs also say that both mics are 8.9" long. Clearly the B3 is shorter than the C3.

Does anyone have experience with the C3 and the B3? How do they compare? What do you think is the best application for the B series? Most importantly-- How do they sound?

I'd particularly like to hear from Alen Hyatt. What is the quality control like with these mics? Why is the B3 2/5ths the cost of the C3? Are they available in matched pairs? Is there an extra charge for this? Also, what is the allowable deviation from the published specs?

[alanhyatt]

Originally posted by Casper
I'd particularly like to hear from Alen Hyatt. What is the quality control like with these mics? Why is the B3 2/5ths the cost of the C3? Are they available in matched pairs? Is there an extra charge for this? Also, what is the allowable deviation from the published specs?

Well if I post it all, this post would be very long, so e-mail me at alan@pmiaudio.com and I will give you all the reading you can handle. I am not sure it is a good idea to do this on HR. If I start talking about my mics, it will turn into a blood bath...

In either case, I will be happy to answer all your questions, just e-mail me.

[Rossi]

Alan, I'd be interested in that information as well. Looking at the specs the B series is just as good as the C series, actually better with regards to self-noise, and even the membrane is thinner, which I gather from Stephen Paul's quest for the sub 1 micron membrane, is rather a good thing. Now, I don't argue that the C series is higher quality than the B series, but why is that?

Also, speaking of specs, I'd appreciate if you published frequency curves for your mics. I know that a lot of people don't believe in frequency curves, and I agree that some of those frequency plots are pure fiction. But I think if the measurements are carried out properly, they do give you an idea of what the mic will sound like.

If you don't want to answer those questions here, you can mail me at HankBeat@compuserve.de and send me the same stuff that you're going to send to Casper.

Regards, Rossi (still happy with my B1)

[Henrik]

Me too: henrik.vogel@chello.se (Maybe you should just post the stuff here after all).

I'm particularly interested in knowing if I can get matched pairs of B3's, and whether the diaphragms are matched enough so the figure 8 pattern will be usable in a M-S or blumlein setup.

Thanks
/Henrik

[alanhyatt]

Casper, Henrick, and Rossi,

I sent you all an e-mail today, so you should have it. If you have more questions, let me know....

[WIZZLE]

hey alan, I emailed you to, if u can include all the info for me too that would be cool as hell. I am really interested in getting the most knowledge.

[Bowisc]

Alan,
I was re-reading some of the literature on your mics and would have asked the same question. Why not post here? Just ignore the Spamsters.

Or you can also email me if you have time. You have my email Sir.

Bowisc

[Randy Yell]

I have an SP TB1 and I love it.I just finished a project (a just for fun thing) where I used the TB-1 exclusively and i was very imoressed with the vocals even though I had to run the signal while tracking through a cheap noise gate (Nady CL-5000) as it has been one fricking hot summer here and I live on the third floor so air conditioning was a must.The lady that I recorded could sound good singing through a Fisher Price toddlers mic but even allowing for the asset of her voice the tracks still sounded better than expected..Cooler weather is coming so soon I can go from my Audiobuddy right into my Audiophile so I can compare tracks.ActuallyI was really surprised at the sound quality going through the Nady gate as I have used other mics through the same gate with much less satisfying results.I REALLY like the TB-1.