Another 'awkward' chinese mic - and something new?

[rob aylestone]

The recent furore on the TLM or not TLM 103 mic made me not post a link to another video I made about a mic that looks like the AKG C414 - and again, actually does a good job.

The link is below, but today the same manufacturer sent me another mic - a 34mm condenser, but in a housing very similar to the Neumann 105 handheld. The capsule is not accessible - it was the first thing I tried as soon as it arrived, but it appears to be a proper, capsule fitted to a handheld. I have no idea yet what it sounds like, but has anyone else put a proper 34mm diaphragm capsule in a handheld. The fact I see it suggests it can't be any use as a vocal mic - too poppy and bangy, but it cost me just under £50. I'm really hectic at the mo, with loads of work on which is nice, but I will review and do a video as soon as I can. Some pics are below.

Link to the youtube video on the C414 look-alike (not copy, as it's branded Bei Fei Li) here.

 

[Serendipity Records]

The recent furore on the TLM or not TLM 103 mic made me not post a link to another video I made about a mic that looks like the AKG C414 - and again, actually does a good job.

The link is below, but today the same manufacturer sent me another mic - a 34mm condenser, but in a housing very similar to the Neumann 105 handheld. The capsule is not accessible - it was the first thing I tried as soon as it arrived, but it appears to be a proper, capsule fitted to a handheld. I have no idea yet what it sounds like, but has anyone else put a proper 34mm diaphragm capsule in a handheld. The fact I see it suggests it can't be any use as a vocal mic - too poppy and bangy, but it cost me just under £50. I'm really hectic at the mo, with loads of work on which is nice, but I will review and do a video as soon as I can. Some pics are below.

Link to the youtube video on the C414 look-alike (not copy, as it's branded Bei Fei Li) here.

For the C414 I see they offer a 25mm diaphragm (as is the real thing) -- but also a 34mm diaphragm? What's up with that?
Also I find it funny that their "store name" is "SEENINSEER Audio Store" lmao

 

[TalismanRich]

For the C414 I see they offer a 25mm diaphragm (as is the real thing) -- but also a 34mm diaphragm? What's up with that?
Also I find it funny that their "store name" is "SEENINSEER Audio Store" lmao

They offered the same choices with the 103 mic. I'm surprised that they are offering a 34mm capsule. The original Neumann using an 18mm capsule! At almost double the diameter, that could be a tight squeeze

Looking though the AliExpess site, I see both a 34mm verison and a "Debra" version with a 26mm capsule. That version is cheaper.

 

[frogpondaudio]

As a quiet and persistent lurker here, I've been following with interest the discussion(s) on the latest flurry of knock-off mic replicas coming from China... My latest purchase (which I've not yet received) is the 34mm version of the 103. I don't have the Neumann version to compare this newly purchased kets to, but other original manufacturer condenser mics I have that pop into mind include the TLM 102, Sennheiser MKH416, Sony C-48, sE2200, Slate ML-1, AT 4033, and many more. After many decades of using these mics (and many others including dynamics) for voiceover, I feel I have a decent perspective on how to get the best out of 'em and I'm looking forward to checking out this 103 knockoff.

One knockoff I purchased some time back was the Proar C414. Here's a tip that might aid someone in the future: the Proar was very noisy. For the low price, not worth hassling over and I was disappointed. I did, however, put it in a plastic baggie with a couple packs of desiccant for a day or two and like magic, it quieted down to a usable level. I'm guessing that moisture somehow contaminated the capsule on the ride over from China. I've since performed the same procedure on other mics as a sort of cheap insurance policy to maintain audio quality. Anyway, that's it. Carry on!

 

[rob aylestone]

Let us know how it is when it arrives!

 

[CoolCat]

As a quiet and persistent lurker here, I've been following with interest the discussion(s) on the latest flurry of knock-off mic replicas coming from China... My latest purchase (which I've not yet received) is the 34mm version of the 103. I don't have the Neumann version to compare this newly purchased kets to, but other original manufacturer condenser mics I have that pop into mind include the TLM 102, Sennheiser MKH416, Sony C-48, sE2200, Slate ML-1, AT 4033, and many more. After many decades of using these mics (and many others including dynamics) for voiceover, I feel I have a decent perspective on how to get the best out of 'em and I'm looking forward to checking out this 103 knockoff.

One knockoff I purchased some time back was the Proar C414. Here's a tip that might aid someone in the future: the Proar was very noisy. For the low price, not worth hassling over and I was disappointed. I did, however, put it in a plastic baggie with a couple packs of desiccant for a day or two and like magic, it quieted down to a usable level. I'm guessing that moisture somehow contaminated the capsule on the ride over from China. I've since performed the same procedure on other mics as a sort of cheap insurance policy to maintain audio quality. Anyway, that's it. Carry on!

I've read that about the Antelope Audio cardiod mic too. There was some weird moisture issue on some of them and the desiccant fixed it.
Good tip!

 

[rob aylestone]

Well, it arrived and I really like it - of course it does look like a Neumann, but as it has Bai Fei Li in red on the side there's no confusion, bar the model number - BF-105i.

I seems just the sound I like! I put it up against a Shure NXN8s - big difference in price and type. The shure has more top end, but the Chinese one is just warmer, and behaves well close in - better than I expected as the capsule is quite exposed.

 

[Serendipity Records]

Well, it arrived and I really like it - of course it does look like a Neumann, but as it has Bai Fei Li in red on the side there's no confusion, bar the model number - BF-105i.

I seems just the sound I like! I put it up against a Shure NXN8s - big difference in price and type. The shure has more top end, but the Chinese one is just warmer, and behaves well close in - better than I expected as the capsule is quite exposed.

I'm intrigued by handheld condensers, and would be interested in seeing a revival -- correct me if I'm wrong but they were used more frequently in the past, right? How was handling noise on the BaiFeiLi?

 

[rob aylestone]

I thought the handling noise not an issue - on both, moving your hand creates noise, but just different noise. I really liked the sound.

 

[Papanate]

Off Topic - Your C414 clone doesn’t interest me - in the video I could very clearly. hear the differences - the AKG has a Cleaner more open sound with defined treble and midrange - and overall it was even across the board - well except for a slight bumps above 3K -5K - the BaiFeiLi was more like a MXL mic to me - more per-functionary and less articulate - but really hyped about 2.5 kHz - it may just be me though - in the studio could you tell the differences?

 

[Serendipity Records]

The seller that sells the BF-105i has quite a catalog, including an Austrian Audio handheld clone which I am interested in.
Also the prices seem a bit more within a range that projects a Behringer vibe -- good quality but budget-friendly.

 

[frogpondaudio]

<As a quiet and persistent lurker here, I've been following with interest the discussion(s) on the latest flurry of knock-off mic replicas coming from China... My latest purchase (which I've not yet received) is the 34mm version of the 103. I don't have the Neumann version to compare this newly purchased kets to, but other original manufacturer condenser mics I have that pop into mind include the TLM 102, Sennheiser MKH416, Sony C-48, sE2200, Slate ML-1, AT 4033, and many more.>

Well, said mic arrived a couple days sooner than expected, which is always cool and I've had a couple of days to play mess-around with it.

Unboxing first impression: Storage box OK, and appears it'll do as needed. Mic finish is a non reflective dark, flat gray that almost qualifies as black. Weighs in at 282.4 grams and the "shock mount", patterned after the genuine Neumann shock mount reserved for the TLM102, is almost 100% plastic, save for a nut or two. Accompanying literature states frequency response as 40hz to 16khz with 18dba listed as equivalent noise level. Mic logo is a perfect copy of the red Neumann badge with "kets" in vertical lettering.

As my primary interest is in voice work, as has been the case for decades, I prefer to track "on the way in", and rely on some older hardware I've impemented to save fussing about after the recorded fact; my Mic Pre is either a SafeSound Audio Tracking Toolbox or Symetrix 528e. Both provide a bit of compression if desired with the 528e offering up a bit of EQ if wanted as well. Next is a KT-76 set for light compression and last in the chain is an older Symetrix 501 comp/limiter which only provides a bit of limiting.

Hey, it's a microphone.... C'mon now, how does it sound you ask? Sensitivity is about on par with my Senny 416 and the noise floor seems comparable. The Neumann 102 requires a bit more gain to achieve identical output. The biggest takeaway, and I mean the most outstanding item of note is the relaxed high end response compared to the mentioned Sennheiser and Neumann, with my 102 on my voice almost screechy and thus requiring healthy doses of de-essing. This 103 knock-off is quite smooth on top, and I think I'll be able to eliminate a de-esser altogether. Without having a real 103 on hand to compare the bottom end, I can only say the lower mids have a chesty resonance missing on all my other mics and this adds a solid but not dominating bottom to my baritone. I'd imagine EQ would take care of any concerns.

Bottom line.... Possibly the best $30.28 USD I've ever spent on a mic, and with a bit of judicious processing, I think anyone would be hard pressed to identify the type of microphone.

I have no affiliation with AliExpress and have nothing to gain posting here. If you like mics and want to spend a bit of change to have another tool (there is a smaller diaphram model available for about half the price), it seems short of arriving DOA, it'd be hard to go wrong.

That's it! Carry on! I'll follow the thread for future postings with interest if this hasn't killed it off lol.

 

[CoolCat]

interesting review and 528e is something I bought sold and bought and sold and bought again, because it works so well, built well, best noise gate Ive experienced and often super cheap with an expensive retail price.

for $30 Im kind of stunned....it just doesn't make sense.

 

[Serendipity Records]

I think since the tariffs Aliexpress now ships all their stuff to Canada

 

[Serendipity Records]

This may be the beginning of the end for cheap Chinese microphones...

 

[TalismanRich]

I heard on this morning's news that the Hong Kong post office is no longer sending packages to the US. First class letters and documents will still be sent, but it probably will affect shipments from TEMU, ALIExpress and other Chinese online marketplaces.

 

[rob aylestone]

I dont do politics usually, but you do know the rest of the world are pretty much of the opinion the US are getting exactly what they asked for. No chinese imports. What on earth did the US expect would happen. Im waiting for some great deals on sky high factory stock. My chinese suppliers are really worried and are looking to Europe and the other markets. I just tried setting my location to the US and radios, that I spend a lot on are unavailable from many of my usual suppliers if I am in America.

 

[Serendipity Records]

I dont do politics usually, but you do know the rest of the world are pretty much of the opinion the US are getting exactly what they asked for. No chinese imports. What on earth did the US expect would happen. Im waiting for some great deals on sky high factory stock. My chinese suppliers are really worried and are looking to Europe and the other markets. I just tried setting my location to the US and radios, that I spend a lot on are unavailable from many of my usual suppliers if I am in America.

There's no denying that things are unusual, uncomfortable, etc. Whatever's going on down South of me makes sense for the US but as a Canadian resident I do have to cope with the adverse effects. So far, the American voter in me is satisfied but the Canuck is tired of our upstart liberal government playing the moral high horse card.

 

[rob aylestone]

I just had an email from China - do I want an alto sax for $162 including shipping. Cancelled order. Lots of the sellers on Aliexpress are one or two people and an office - they advertise what they do not actually have and get it from others, and post it out. They have money tied up in stock that was going to the US, but is now just sitting there clogging a fairly small office up. I don't need another sax, but the price is silly enough to take a punt on it? I have a suspicion that it is not the brand that is in the pictures. We already have "chibson" and this looks like a "selmerphone". I wonder what it will be like?

 

[Papanate]

I just had an email from China - do I want an alto sax for $162 including shipping. Cancelled order. Lots of the sellers on Aliexpress are one or two people and an office - they advertise what they do not actually have and get it from others, and post it out. They have money tied up in stock that was going to the US, but is now just sitting there clogging a fairly small office up. I don't need another sax, but the price is silly enough to take a punt on it? I have a suspicion that it is not the brand that is in the pictures. We already have "chibson" and this looks like a "selmerphone". I wonder what it will be like?

To get the SAX Equivalent of the KETS TLM 103 is a rare thing indeed.