Microtech Gefell M300 & M295

tkingen

tkingen

Djembes Rock
I am considering purchasing either a pair of M300's or a single M295. The M300's are typically described as being KM84ish (not KM184) and the M295 seems to be regarded as another level up.
If you can go by frequency response charts, the M300 does look to be a little sweeter than the KM184. And the M295 looks like it has fairly flat mids and highs, but drops off at about 500hz in the low and 16k in the high range. This makes me wonder if the M300 is actually a little more versatile as it's a fuller range mic?
On the other side of the coin, a mic that starts dropping off at about 500hz might help out with the pesky bass buildup that challenges the home "spare bedroom" studio.
Tomorrow I'm making a 3 hour road trip to try these mics...it would be great to get some advice from people who are smarter than me about this!!!!!

Regards,
Terry
 
What the graphs don't show is the difference between the capsules, the 300 is larger and gold sputtered. The 295 is 1/2" and uses nickel, not gold. The 295 is one incredible mic.

Are you driving to PDX to visit with Tidepool? If so, say hello to Tom for me.
 
sdelsolray said:
What the graphs don't show is the difference between the capsules, the 300 is larger and gold sputtered. The 295 is 1/2" and uses nickel, not gold. The 295 is one incredible mic.

Are you driving to PDX to visit with Tidepool? If so, say hello to Tom for me.
Click to expand...

Yes, Tidepool is where I'm going. Tom seems like a good guy on the phone and is allowing me to bring some of my gear to a/b his mics. It's hard to find that kind of service in Seattle!
I'll tell him hi for you...does he know you by sdelsolray?
 
tkingen said:
Yes, Tidepool is where I'm going. Tom seems like a good guy on the phone and is allowing me to bring some of my gear to a/b his mics. It's hard to find that kind of service in Seattle!
I'll tell him hi for you...does he know you by sdelsolray?
Click to expand...

Don't think so, he knows me by my real name. I've bought gear from him before.
 
Rick Shepherd said:
So, is it a toss-up between which is preferable, the 295 or the m300? Sure is a big price difference. Anyone?
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It really depends on your intended uses. I have a pair of each and while they're both excellent mics, the differences in their strengths would make me chose one over the other depending on the task. First let me make a minor correction about the capsule sizes - the M295 is not a 1/2" diaphragm, it's closer to 3/4" (this, along with the differences in its amplifier circuitry, make it more sensitive and lower the noise floor compared with the 300). The nickel diaphragm is extremely thin (less than 1 micron IIRC) making it an extremely detailed and "fast" mic. The LF roll-off is designed to counteract proximity effect (& it takes EQ very well if you want to use it for distant miking). It's my first call acoustic instrument mic, and my hands-down favorite for drum OH when I want the natural sound of the kit (just add a kick mic for instant gratification on jazz, acoustic, light rock...). It is also a surprisingly good vocal mic.

The M300s are less detailed, but a little "fuller" sounding than the 295s. They're more suited to distant micing (10' - 30'), like stereo recording of small ensembles, or "room" mics. They do fine for close-in work as well, but you have to allow for proximity effect and the little HF rise. They can also work well on drum OH, but are better suited to "harder" or more agressive players. IMO they are much more euphonic than the Neumann KM184s (though I don't know if I'd go as far as saying they're the equivalent of KM84s).

I doubt you'd be disappointed with either model - If I HAD to pick, I'd take the M295. If stereo recording is important to you, and you know you'll never be able to afford a second 295, get the 300s and be happy.

Scott
 
I heard Gefell, had to jump in :) I am the biggest MG fluffer in the world I believe...At any rate....I live right beside the Gefell Office(I am a US SOldier stationed here in Germany) and know of a pair that is Demo(M300s) that they are selling for cheaper...OR....If you want Versatility, the SMS2000 series is the same mic as the m300 series BUT has interchangeable caps...I have a pair for sale with the Cardiod caps if you are interested, pM me.

teddy


DigitMus said:
It really depends on your intended uses. I have a pair of each and while they're both excellent mics, the differences in their strengths would make me chose one over the other depending on the task. First let me make a minor correction about the capsule sizes - the M295 is not a 1/2" diaphragm, it's closer to 3/4" (this, along with the differences in its amplifier circuitry, make it more sensitive and lower the noise floor compared with the 300). The nickel diaphragm is extremely thin (less than 1 micron IIRC) making it an extremely detailed and "fast" mic. The LF roll-off is designed to counteract proximity effect (& it takes EQ very well if you want to use it for distant miking). It's my first call acoustic instrument mic, and my hands-down favorite for drum OH when I want the natural sound of the kit (just add a kick mic for instant gratification on jazz, acoustic, light rock...). It is also a surprisingly good vocal mic.

The M300s are less detailed, but a little "fuller" sounding than the 295s. They're more suited to distant micing (10' - 30'), like stereo recording of small ensembles, or "room" mics. They do fine for close-in work as well, but you have to allow for proximity effect and the little HF rise. They can also work well on drum OH, but are better suited to "harder" or more agressive players. IMO they are much more euphonic than the Neumann KM184s (though I don't know if I'd go as far as saying they're the equivalent of KM84s).

I doubt you'd be disappointed with either model - If I HAD to pick, I'd take the M295. If stereo recording is important to you, and you know you'll never be able to afford a second 295, get the 300s and be happy.

Scott
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i know this won't be too helpful, but i have to say, the 29X mics are stunning. i used them a few times for classical gigs... gosh... more than 10 years ago...and had one of those jaw dropping experiences. i preferred the 295 to the omni (296) in drool factor...it had more of a nice 'lift' up top...the omni sounded more natural to me. (big surpirse there...)

ya gotta hear em to believe em. i'm surprised more aren't 'in the field'...wish i could afford em!

sorry for the drool,
Mike
 
They are nice mics, but In my opinion are not as versatile as the 300s/SMS200s. They are a little bit more harsh in the highs and mids than the sms2000s/m300s. They are great mics(as are ALL Gefell products:) ) but are more limited than the 300s/sms series as to what they can be used on. This is my opinion, and probably doesnt count for much. :) I have listened to them extensively as I live right near the factory(they let me try out whatever I want, basically)..and really prefer the other option.

trb

bigtoe said:
i know this won't be too helpful, but i have to say, the 29X mics are stunning. i used them a few times for classical gigs... gosh... more than 10 years ago...and had one of those jaw dropping experiences. i preferred the 295 to the omni (296) in drool factor...it had more of a nice 'lift' up top...the omni sounded more natural to me. (big surpirse there...)

ya gotta hear em to believe em. i'm surprised more aren't 'in the field'...wish i could afford em!

sorry for the drool,
Mike
Click to expand...
 
totally cool opinion BigRay - yours seems worth quite a bit with your access! i've never used the 300's...i had a um70 for a spell...

i have a ton of mics so versatility isn't beeg on my drool tripper lately... i remember the clarity of the 295's thru M-1's being "whoa nelly!" is all! on overheads i bet i'd be reaching for the EQ less.

Mike
 
The UM70 is very nice too. My dream mic though is the um900 :eek:
(look it up and youll see why I used that smiley :D ) that thing sings though.
The m295 is very nice, no doubt about it. They pop up on ebay from time to time..if I ever see a pair for a good price, they are mine. I have a vested interest too in the m200s because I own two pairs and am selling one(and what sort of salesman would i be if I didnt fluff them ..kidding, they really are VERY versatile, which is why I own two pairs) Gefell doesnt make a bad product...better than that new Neumann Shlock, which is put out by sennheiser :rolleyes: My favorite mics are 1.) Gefell(because theyve never changed their processes for commercial appeal..(unlike neumann) 2.) OLD Neumann 3.) AKG.

Gefell is the only company that still makes products like Old Mr. Neumann intended.



bigtoe said:
totally cool opinion BigRay - yours seems worth quite a bit with your access! i've never used the 300's...i had a um70 for a spell...

i have a ton of mics so versatility isn't beeg on my drool tripper lately... i remember the clarity of the 295's thru M-1's being "whoa nelly!" is all! on overheads i bet i'd be reaching for the EQ less.

Mike
Click to expand...
 
Since posting much earlier to this old thread, I've acquired a pair of Microtech Gefell M294's, which are like M295's but designed for diffuse field work, with the attendant HF bump. My only application is solo fingerstyle acoustic guitar, and the 294s are great for it. I've not yet heard a mic that is so detailed and accurate, even DPAs.

I agree with other posters. Gefell products are great. I also have a UMT800, which is another great mic.
 
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