I bought a crazily cheap 'Neumann' TLM103 and it's really decent!

[GainBrain]

Lucky for the Chinese, Neumann and whoever writes copyright law don't have gain on their brain.

You're sarcasm isn't required when someone is trying to bring things back on topic....but I guess at this point, there really is no topic any longer. No one is hated more than he that speaks the truth. I suggest you try to control yourself more in the future.

My username is because I really like my Allison Research Gain Brain. Not for any other reason.

 

[Papanate]

You're sarcasm isn't required when someone is trying to bring things back on topic....but I guess at this point, there really is no topic any longer. No one is hated more than he that speaks the truth. I suggest you try to control yourself more in the future.

For one thing you aren’t ’speaking the truth’ - you speaking your opinion nothing more - the Copywrite has flown on the Neumann TLM 103 - and the Kits is not ripping off Neumann - IOWs I would never mistake one for the other - I also own a Neumann TLM 103 (and a U67, a U47 and 2 x KM84) - I would never mistake Shure, Rode or any other brand for the Neumanns - this is no different - add that if I decided to build my own TLM 103 it wouldn’t affect Neumann in anyway.

 

[GainBrain]

For one thing you aren’t ’speaking the truth’ - you speaking your opinion nothing more - the Copywrite has flown on the Neumann TLM 103 - and the Kits is not ripping off Neumann - IOWs I would never mistake one for the other - I also own a Neumann TLM 103 (and a U67, a U47 and 2 x KM84) - I would never mistake Shure, Rode or any other brand for the Neumanns - this is no different - add that if I decided to build my own TLM 103 it wouldn’t affect Neumann in anyway.

I think it's truthful that people are opportunistic and unethical, but that's just my opinion. I was speaking the truth about patent laws, china paying their workers next to nothing, etc....all along. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. I was also referring to the fact that I was attempting to get this thing back on topic. If only that 'could happen'. I'll remain in my position that some modern business is 'opportunistic and unethical'....and unimaginative while I'm at it.

 

[TalismanRich]

In any case, I'm still anxiously awaiting Papa's comparison. Specifically, I am wondering about things like noise level (the TLM103 is supposed to be quiet).

 

[GainBrain]

How to identify a counterfeit Neumann TLM 103 - Gearspace

Recorded this on the fly last night to help others identify counterfeit TLM 103 microphones. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask em! Stay safe out there!

gearspace.com

Posted by a Neumann employee.

 

[Eric Malone]

I want one (but I'm in Canada).

I know eh? What's that aboot.

The price also double since the last time I looked at it. $39.00 instead of $23 or something like that. It's also 59% off, which is new, or I didn't notice last time I looked.

EL

 

[rob aylestone]

Everybody is entitled to an opinion. If you consider a product does not meet your ethical and moral requirements don’t buy it. You seem statistically to be in the minority here, so let’s set your opinion of what constitutes counterfeit to one side.

I’m waiting for somebody else to try one and report back.

 

[GainBrain]

Everybody is entitled to an opinion. If you consider a product does not meet your ethical and moral requirements don’t buy it. You seem statistically to be in the minority here, so let’s set your opinion of what constitutes counterfeit to one side.

I’m waiting for somebody else to try one and report back.

Oh man Rob. Yes my opinion.....and an employee from Neumann. I think when people are wrong they should just admit it....and remove the thread.

 

[rob aylestone]

Ah - I can totally see your viewpoint as a Neumann staffer. I'm sure Gibson think the same about the Chinese counterfeits - but - and I have to restate it because it is important this is NOT a counterfeit. It is different in colour, height, width and depth, the thread at the bottom is a different diameter and thread pitch - nowhere does the word Neumann appear. Construction and internals are different. If you stored your microphones in dense foam in a storage case, or on a shadow board - this mic would not fit. I also tend to think that when people are wrong, they should admit it. However, opinions are always variable.

We do close topics when they break the forum rules - so far, none seem to have been broken. However it is very rare to remove them -because 3 pages of member comments that took time and effort should be saved for posterity.

 

[GainBrain]

Ah - I can totally see your viewpoint as a Neumann staffer. I'm sure Gibson think the same about the Chinese counterfeits - but - and I have to restate it because it is important this is NOT a counterfeit. It is different in colour, height, width and depth, the thread at the bottom is a different diameter and thread pitch - nowhere does the word Neumann appear. Construction and internals are different. If you stored your microphones in dense foam in a storage case, or on a shadow board - this mic would not fit. I also tend to think that when people are wrong, they should admit it. However, opinions are always variable.

We do close topics when they break the forum rules - so far, none seem to have been broken. However it is very rare to remove them -because 3 pages of member comments that took time and effort should be saved for posterity.

I'm not the staffer....the man in the video that I posted above, pointing out the counterfeit....is. He specifically calls out aliexpress and the mics on the site. I'm just pointing it out, that I don't think it's appropriate for a mod to be pushing counterfeits. Just seems logical, but whatever....

 

[rob aylestone]

For goodness sake! I have, in my videos, investigated the counterfeits, designed to scam people out of their money. Selling a product that is a counterfeit to people thinking they are buying the real thing is awful, and I have had many comments from people thanking me for showing them how to tell the difference.

It must remain with people, armed with the facts, to make decisions that fit their own ethical or moral values. I see people with Chibson fake guitars, Adidas trainers, Rolex watches and even fake perfumes. At the moment there are lots of cardioid mics described as U87. Anybody with a brain knows they are fake. But - if they were branded as Purple Flower and called U87, in my book they would NOT be counterfeit.

Lastly, I have not pushed counterfeits, and I don't see I have anything to apologise for. Indeed - quite a few members have ordered these to experiment with, simply because they are a mic that costs less than taking my two grandkids to McDonalds.

It is also a crime here in the UK if I posted some of the derogatory comments about the Chinese. In many years of importing Chinese goods, my relationships have all be rather good. My contacts drive nice cars, many electric, live in well decorated western style apartments.

I do NOT need a lecture from a member with 18 days membership on what a mod should do. Bit of a cheek to think that you know how the forum should be run - that is a huge attitude to have. When I join new forums myself, I make sure I get a feel for how the forum works before I steam in.

This forum encourages quite strong viewpoints. Occasionally it goes off the rails and the mods mop up. Some of us can even predict certain responses from certain members. We manage quite well.

I'm sorry that you feel our way is somehow lacking, feel free to stop contributing, but please - it is not going to be removed and we will continue to search out new and good value products.

 

[GainBrain]

For goodness sake! I have, in my videos, investigated the counterfeits, designed to scam people out of their money. Selling a product that is a counterfeit to people thinking they are buying the real thing is awful, and I have had many comments from people thanking me for showing them how to tell the difference.

It must remain with people, armed with the facts, to make decisions that fit their own ethical or moral values. I see people with Chibson fake guitars, Adidas trainers, Rolex watches and even fake perfumes. At the moment there are lots of cardioid mics described as U87. Anybody with a brain knows they are fake. But - if they were branded as Purple Flower and called U87, in my book they would NOT be counterfeit.

Lastly, I have not pushed counterfeits, and I don't see I have anything to apologise for. Indeed - quite a few members have ordered these to experiment with, simply because they are a mic that costs less than taking my two grandkids to McDonalds.

It is also a crime here in the UK if I posted some of the derogatory comments about the Chinese. In many years of importing Chinese goods, my relationships have all be rather good. My contacts drive nice cars, many electric, live in well decorated western style apartments.

I do NOT need a lecture from a member with 18 days membership on what a mod should do. Bit of a cheek to think that you know how the forum should be run - that is a huge attitude to have. When I join new forums myself, I make sure I get a feel for how the forum works before I steam in.

This forum encourages quite strong viewpoints. Occasionally it goes off the rails and the mods mop up. Some of us can even predict certain responses from certain members. We manage quite well.

I'm sorry that you feel our way is somehow lacking, feel free to stop contributing, but please - it is not going to be removed and we will continue to search out new and good value products.

I'm not new to forums. I've been on audio forums for 20 years. Neumann themselves are calling it a counterfeit TLM-103 which it is, and they are warning people not to buy them. I wasn't speaking about any of the other mod's or the forum in general...just this single topic. It's very simple...it's not complicated. Cheers.

 

[rob aylestone]

I didn't say you were - I said you were new to this one. Im not certain the one in the video is even the same, considering how these are sourced and sold. I cannot keep repeating this. The majority view is that if Neumann consider ANY microphone similar to their shape, they must be mad. You can buy a Harley Benton guitar labelled a 'Junior' - by your rules, that's a counterfeit? Crazy? I'm now going to walk away and give up trying to convince you.

 

[pipelineaudio]

Its almost as if microphones aren't dictated by magic and we've known the principles behind how they work for 100 years

 

[TalismanRich]

If you pay attention to the posted video, the employee is not even talking about a mic similar to the one reviewed. He didn't bother with the KETS mic in the upper corner. His example is a mic that is clearly labeled as Neumann, has the logo, etc. THIS IS THE FAKE TLM103. Notice the logo. It says "Made In Germany". Clearly this is designed to fool an unsuspecting buyer into thinking it is a genuine article.

That is the actual definition of a counterfeit. Per Merriam Webster:
Verb : to imitate or feign especially with intent to deceive
also : to make a fraudulent replica of

Noun : Forgery : something likely to be mistaken for something of higher value

Nobody with half a brain would send a mic that is labeled KETS to Neumann for repair, any more than someone would send a guitar labeled Tokai Love Rock to Gibson.

 

[GainBrain]

If you pay attention to the posted video, the employee is not even talking about a mic similar to the one reviewed. He didn't bother with the KETS mic in the upper corner. His example is a mic that is clearly labeled as Neumann, has the logo, etc. THIS IS THE FAKE TLM103. Notice the logo. It says "Made In Germany". Clearly this is designed to fool an unsuspecting buyer into thinking it is a genuine article.

That is the actual definition of a counterfeit. Per Merriam Webster:
Verb : to imitate or feign especially with intent to deceive
also : to make a fraudulent replica of

Noun : Forgery : something likely to be mistaken for something of higher value

View attachment 149463

Nobody with half a brain would send a mic that is labeled KETS to Neumann for repair, any more than someone would send a guitar labeled Tokai Love Rock to Gibson.

No...he points out mic's that have the red square, yet missing any Neumann labelling as well....clearly identifies aliexpress as the perpetrator of these fakes, etc. How much more in your face does the truth have to be. You can skirt around it all you want, doesn't bother me one bit. I won't be contributing to aliexpress.

 

[TalismanRich]

The ones with the "red squares" are clearly altered photos. Some have part of the Neumann name blacked out, but not all of it. But by definition, there's a distinct difference between a true counterfeit and a similar look.
But whatever... this horse has been beaten to death.

Don't buy one and move on!

 

[GainBrain]

Not my prob you can't take the truth.

 

[R D Smith]

Everybody is entitled to an opinion. If you consider a product does not meet your ethical and moral requirements don’t buy it. You seem statistically to be in the minority here, so let’s set your opinion of what constitutes counterfeit to one side.

I’m waiting for somebody else to try one and report back.

Mine showed up yesterday. It will be about a week before I get to try it out. I don't have a Neumann, so I won't know if it sounds like one. All I'm interested in, is that it sounds good. If it sounds good, it is good, IMO.

 

[CoolCat]

Ive always found the emotional side of this as a crossword puzzle, where Warm and Beezkneez and all the Puluso Clones..are all "OK" and then products ":cloned" are Bad .
especially if made in China.

What is OK and what's BAD? A "clone" is ok, but AliExpress cheap clones are bad? or sometimes sound "decent"?

when I worked at INTEL they stopped using numbers for their CPU chips because the court said you cant "own" numbers, so they killed the 386,486, 586 plan..and changed 586 to PENTIUM which could be copyrighted "owned" as a name, so AMD couldn't copy their 586 chip plan.
I remember INTEL INSIDE symbol with a swirl was announced, they had a contest to rename the 586 and someone said Pentium, and won ...probably a Dinner card for $100.

So the TLM103....Neumann name brand maybe can be owned and the SYMBOL stating Neumann, but seems Neumann cant copyright a square or shape, nor a number, so what's in the little box on the mic label could say KATS or SPAM or POOP and it would be legal I suppose. and can be called a SHOOM 103 with a Purple Square on it.
Probably cant copyright colors either, so red, purple, black, white is open for everyone.

- numbers
- shapes
-colors

what if my legal name was Neumann and I wanted to make microphones? lol