Beyer M160 vs. Beyer M260 (ribbons!)

  • Thread starter Thread starter hungovermorning
  • Start date Start date
H

hungovermorning

Dr. Caveman.
Sorry for my influx of recent threads in this forum, but I pay back my karma in the guitar forum :)
Anyways, while reading "Behind the Glass," I read how the Beyer M160 was used to record all guitars by Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. Not too shabby. Anyways, BEyer also made an M260. I was very interested in using a rubbon on my 2x12 combined with a 57 or even by itself. Has anyone had any experience with the two? Is the price difference between the m160 and m260 really worth it?
And thanks to everyone who has been answering my questions as of late.
 
The M160 is a very high-fi mic, having even response from way down low to around 15 kHz. The M260 is designed for speech - broadcasters, reporters, etc., so it's not as high-fi at the ends of its range. I believe the M260 also exhibits a "presence rise." They're both good mics - just not the same.
 
AGCurry pretty much nailed it, the only thing I'd like to add is there is a lack of bass response on the M160 as it has been filtered out (hence AGC's statement of made for broadcast / speech) so don't expect a real full sound like the M160 puts out.

War
 
Just get the M160. Get it from Fullcompass $424. I just got one and its great.
Did a session tracking a trumpet, and it was great.

T
 
I've got three M260's and these are the ultimate horn mics, but also very great on harsh sounding instruments like bagpipes, tin whistles etc.
 
You've convinced me about the M160. It'll be nice to have for specific vocal applications as well. Thanks for the advice, I've got a used Steffens one that I'm watching from Germany. Mmm, Germany.
 
I've got both and the M160 is the more useful of the two. You will be happy with it.
 
the 160 is a pretty low output mic too, btw...I wanna think even more than most ribbons... so I'd be sure you have a nice clean pre to crank things up.
 
btw..I'm interested in hearing how many m160 owners use their's on a snare. Personally I have never had a problem, but it apparently freaks some people out.
 
Well, I'm part of the club, I bought a vintage Steffens (a Beyer under the same name) M160. Now I just have to wait for the German post to get it over here. Oh double ribbon goodness, you're being used for everything guitar and vocal related...
 
hungovermorning said:
You've convinced me about the M160. It'll be nice to have for specific vocal applications as well. Thanks for the advice, I've got a used Steffens one that I'm watching from Germany. Mmm, Germany.
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Well, you've already bought it, but I was gonna say that the M160 would not be one of my first choices for a vocal mic. In the Beyer ribbon line, the M500 and M260 would actually be my choices for vox.

You better have a good pop filter.
 
I've got two m260's, and they're my go-to vocals mics any day. I usually use one together with an m201 on guitars as well, with good results. I'd say the 160 is more versatile, but does cost quite a bit more.
 
I love the Beyer M500 on vocals, and have gotten some pretty narly eleftric guitar sounds when single mic'ing my Fender Pro Junior tube amp.

I bought it on eBay for ~$200.
 
mrbowes said:
I love the Beyer M500 on vocals, and have gotten some pretty narly eleftric guitar sounds when single mic'ing my Fender Pro Junior tube amp.

I bought it on eBay for ~$200.
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Good price on the M500! A really great vocal mic for some singers with a bit of a presence peak. Hardy enough to use live as well.
 
ragata said:
I've got two m260's, and they're my go-to vocals mics any day. I usually use one together with an m201 on guitars as well, with good results. I'd say the 160 is more versatile, but does cost quite a bit more.
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I actually bought it mainly for guitar and more of a secondary vocal mic. I quote Eddie Kramer: " To me, the best guitar mic is the Beyer M160, which I've used for 30 years on Hendrix, Zeppelin , on everybdy. I still use it," (Massey, 2000, p. 132).
Just seemed like it'd be a nice color to add to my crayon box.
 
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