A coupla questions about the AKG 414B-ULS

  • Thread starter Thread starter MK-Ultra
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MK-Ultra

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Hi,

I was wondering if anyone out there knows when the ULS was discontinued, and how it compares with the 414B-XLS?

There's a ULS in my local store. Should I attempt to talk him down based on the fact that it is a discontinued model, or if it is better than the new model, should I just shaddup and grab it?

Thanks!

MK
 
MK, they were discontinued about a year ago, but there has still been some stock at dealers. The numbers are dwindling by now, though. The new X versions have an additional wide cardioid pattern [ for 5 total instead of 4 on the B-ULS ]. The new X models have 6dB-A of self noise [ amazingly low ] and the B-ULS models have 14dB of self noise - still perfectly acceptable for general use in most situations. I'd snag that B-ULS, they're great mics. I'd say around $600 would be a good price. Less would be even better. But don't pay more than $600. I've thought those discountinued 414's were some of the best deals on the market in the past year.

IMO, the transformer B-ULS version is better for general applications - especially acoustic instruments - than the transformerless X versions.

I think getting a new 414 for around $500-$600 is a better deal than getting a newer X model for near $1K. I've seen people get discountinued pairs of 414's for $1200.

But any of the 414's, including the TLII, are all going to give similar performance and sound. And any one of them is a great value, IMO.
 
Well,

The 414B-ULS is in da house! I just did a wee test, and it sounded very nice!

BURP!

:cool:
 
414 is great mic in whatever form and im surprised i dont see it mentioned on here more as a su sub 1k large dia option. considering the low price and lack of hype/demand around them id almost call them a sleeper deal these days.
 
Sweet mic for many purposes but it doesnt have that sweet flavor like alot of the large diaphragms in the price range. Its got its own sound thats for sure but its still a pretty neutral sounding mic.

The discountinued thing doesnt really matter but its still worth a pitch on talking someone down. Ive got the older C414 EB models and they are awesome. Bought them for $1200 /pair. These are kinda the vintage models too.

Had another ULS version but its broken and havnt really held on to it. Maybe i should get it fixed.

Danny
 
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