is 140 a good deal for a matched pair of Oktava Mk012's?

[Rocket Boy]

new.. from guitar center? is that good?

[crazydoc]

I think it is if they have truly been matched, with spec sheets/individual curves included to prove it.

[Rocket Boy]

they said it was a factory matched pair.

[crazydoc]

Then the factory should have included the documentation. If not, it's probably BS.

[Rocket Boy]

i wasnt asking if they were matched... i was saying, they are matched, is 140 dollars a good deal?

[Richard Monroe]

The answer, Rocket man, is no one knows. GC has been blowing out unmatched pairs for $99, and they have only recently begun claiming to have matched pairs, so no one's had a chance to examine a couple of these "matched" pairs. To me, the unmatched pair for $99 is the devil I know, and it is a great deal. If those pairs are well matched, they're worth every penny, and more, but I think a lot of people, including me, are skeptical. There's a lot of buzz that GC may be dropping the MC012, and possibly other Oktava mics. That would be a shame. -Richie

[crazydoc]

Yes, if they are matched it is a good deal. Just make sure they are truly matched. Caveat emptor.

From the Sound Room's website:

"Matched pairs are selected from the test areas of different manufacturing labs and tested in the anechoic chamber (and ancillary facilities) at a famous Moscow-based Microphone Lab. As with all of our microphones, they are chosen for assembly and finish and then tested to meet specific acoustic and electronic modeling. Mics in matched assemblies are tested individually and then as pairs. Once matching is complete, they are boxed - along with proof of frequency response analysis. From there, the mics are sent to our "sister" studio in Moscow, where they are tested and checked again in various acoustic source tests and further documentation is attached."

[Rocket Boy]

oh nevermind. i had a couple on hold, and had to drive down there and they didnt have them so one of the guys said he'd give me a great deal and give me the matched pair for 137, but i only had like 120 on me.. so we had to drive back, then come back later to get this great deal... when a manager then explained that the computer wont let them sell things to me for less than cost... so he, somehow, managed to find two of the unmatched ones which are what i wanted in the first place but was told earlier they didnt have(maybe they were on hold for someone else and he just took them? its a vicious cycle)...and sold those to me for 92 dollars...

so the whole thing was a little dissapointing, but i guess i ended up getting what i wanted originally, even if it was a hassle. although i wish he would hae sold me the matched ones for the price i was quoted.

[Richard Monroe]

Don't worry, RB, just put them up and feel the detail-Richie

[still4given]

The truth is, depending on how good the rest of your equipment is, you may never notice the difference between the two you have and a matched pair. I just did a simple test on the pair I got from GC for $99. I placed them in front of a monitor and played pink noise to them. I adjusted my DMP3 so that bothe had equal levels. Then switched channels and they were almost exactly the same. Moving them sidways and inch or two made more of a difference in level. I guess I saying that I think mic placement will make a bigger difference than how well they are matched, especially through "prosumer" gear. YMMV


Blessings, Terry