Oktava microphones general opinion

[tubedude]

Now some people have my curiosity piqued about the Octava mics.... whats the general opinion on these things? They sure are cheap... the web page likens the mc012 to a Neumann, of course. I'm interested in the large condensor MC319, too... more so than the other. I'm hunting for legitmate reviews right now...
Musicians Friend has the mc012 for $149.00.

 

[Track Rat]

I have a 319 and a FMSP of MC-012s and they're great mics especially for the price. They compare to much more expensive mics. I would warn you away from buying them at Guitar Center or any place like them. I got mine at The Sound Room
http://www.oktava.com/
The problem with the Octavas is quality control. The ones Guitar Center get go thru a "red light / green light" inspection at the Octava factory in Russia. The ones the Sound Room gets are inspected to a much higher standard. Then Taylor Johnson at The Sound Room re-inspects them again. Now the ones that don't cut the mustard at the inspections in Russia don't get thrown away, hell no. They get sold to places like Guitar Center for a real nice price. When you buy 'em from the Guitar Super Stores you're rolling the dice. Of course this is just my humble opinion.