MXL 604 stereo pair?

[Granada]

I think i have read enough reviews and am going to buy a pair of MXL 604's for overheads. My deal is this, if I just buy 2, they are not technically a stereo pair correct? Is this a big deal? is there some other way to go around this?

Thanks

 

[Obi-Wan zenabI]

No. But mine are decently matched enough that I have not noticed anything amiss in the stereo image through V4's and through my very fancy was-top-of-the-line-in-the-70's hi-fi rig. In a well treated large room.

BUT... this is only using them as a spaced pair in a "recorderman"-ish set up on jazz drums.

I think they're a good deal for $99 each.

 

[dgatwood]

I think they're a good deal for $99 each.

On the other hand, you can generally find used Oktava MK-012 mics for about that, and IMHO, those sound better on OH than any of the Chinese SDCs I've heard thus far (though I've not heard the 604).

 

[pohaku]

I think i have read enough reviews and am going to buy a pair of MXL 604's for overheads. My deal is this, if I just buy 2, they are not technically a stereo pair correct? Is this a big deal? is there some other way to go around this?

Thanks

Well, they are a stereo pair, they are just not matched. Depending on what you have, they may be close enough. For example, Neumann and Audio Technica don't sell matched pairs of mics. They claim their manufacturing tolerances are close enough that matching isn't really necessary. With the Russian and Chinese mics, however, their QC is such that you really might want a matched set, unless you can winnow through and try a bunch and pick the pair that seems closest to you.

 

[isfahani]

These may be worth a shot too:
http://karma.hostcentric.com/k10.html

 

[Granada]

Yesterday I thought I was going to go with the MXL 604's but today on craigslist there were 2 Audio Technica AT3031a for 100 bucks a piece. I believe they go for 169.99 on musiciansfriend. Anyone have any experience with these mics?
Thanks for the heads up on the karma mics, I will look into them.