Behringer B-2 Pro VS Neumann U87AI

Behringer B-2 Pro VS Neumann U87AI
www.paolobales...

[@knowitall1694]

I've had the B2 Pro for over 10 years and it's awesome. But I always wanted to know how it compares to a U87. Thanks for this great comparison because now I know I bought a great microphone and will never fork out $3,200 for a Neumann. The U87 has a 'softer' treble response and the B2 is a bit 'crispier'. The differences are minor and won't be audible in a mix and can be EQ if need be. I definitely prefer the B2 Pro, especially since it costs a lot less than the Neumann.

[@JediasHertz]

ou can tweek some capacitors on the B2 to filter de high frequencies if you wish to upgrade it. Or you use an eq...

[@Ab20222]

B2 Pro has a buzzing noise in the background and it sounds thinner than the U87 but I’m listening on headphones + amp + dc source. I like your voice, it’s awesome for testing :)

[@racl1954]

Hi Paolo. Thank you for the time spared to share with us. I have the B2 Pro and the B1 among other microphones that I have. I have compared them to my Neumann TLM 103 and vintage U87 and neither come close to the warmth and balance of the Neumann microphones. I listened through an older high end Quad VA headphone amplifier and Sennheiser HD 600 headphones which are top quality. The difference between the Behringer and Neumann microphones is night and day. The Behringer mics are good and would serve any home studio or podcasting situation but they cannot compare with top end microphones like the Neumann's. When switching between them on listening tests it was immediately obvious what mics were the Neumann's. Thank you again for taking the time to share with us.

[@tilersun]

100%, the U87 is much more alive and adds nice harmonic while removing harsh ones. Gorgeous mic. However, with som time and tweaking you can get his very close that would work for a band. For voice-over or sparse music its the U87 all day.

[@MrSeeker42]

Thank you for your feedback. May I ask which of the two (B1 or B2 Pro) do you like better and why? I was thinking of buying one of them for male vocals and don't really need the other patterns except Cardioid. Which of the two sounds better for male vocals in Cardioid, in your opinion?

[@racl1954]

@@MrSeeker42 HI Neven. If you plan to use the microphone mainly for vocals and speech the Behringer B1 would be my choice. When you compare a B2 Pro set to cardioid you can’t tell them apart. It would be a waste of your money buying the B2 Pro unless you can find one on the second Hand market for a reasonable price. You would then have the option of the other patterns if you ever needed them. The B1 will be good for vocals and speech. I have a number of microphones collected over many years, some are expensive like the Neumann’s and some are very low priced like the Behringer’s. I have to admit I was surprised at how good the Behringer microphones are. You can’t go wrong with a B1 for the price that you can buy one for. When you consider it comes with a good shock absorber, case and cable it really is good for the money. My opinion is honest. I gain nothing from sharing it with you. Add some compression and EQ to the mic and you will be pleasantly surprised. One day in the future you may want to upgrade, but you still don’t have to spend a lot of money. Have a look at the Sontronics STC20 - STC2 condenser microphones. Incredible microphones designed by a British company. You can buy the no frills STC20 in the UK for £138.00. STC2 is around £200.00. Consider this. You are likely to be able to buy two Behringer B1 microphones for the price of one STC20. Give the B1 some treatment with compression and EQ, whether that is from an outboard processor or plugins and you really cant go wrong for the small amount of money that is the asking price. On Amazon the B1 is £77.00. You can also buy what Amazon call “Used and New Offer” from £63.00. You get the same guarantee and after sales service. I bought one like this a while ago. The packaging was a little scuffed here and there but the mic and accessories was like new. I hope my opinion is a help to you.

[@PaoloBalestri]

Thank you. I mainly use U87 and TLM 67 and 103. If you don't have sound management skills through EQ or other tools, you struggle to manage a microphone like this. Maybe on a cheap sound card. I'm talking to those who do voiceovers, people who often barely know how to turn the microphone on. Imagine managing background noise or acid frequencies or, worse, micro-distortions.

[@MrSeeker42]

@@racl1954 thanks to you and Paolo for the great advice. I ended up getting the AKG c4000b instead, for an unbelievable price of only $100! Mind you, it sold for over $800 when it first came out. Mike Delgadio of Booth Junkie fame showcased this mic years ago in his "Discontinued Mics" video. I like the rich, darker yet full sound it exudes. It's like an AKG Solid Tube, but FET version, and is a little brighter than the Tube, yet is much, much quieter. It flatters baritone voices like mine. I may get the B1 sometime in the future and I figured they would always be easy to find, unlike this AKG for only $100! I just couldn't pass it up. The B1 also seems alot quieter than the B2. There are a lot of great budget ones I was looking into like the AT3035 (which is superior build quality over the 2035 and has a flatter frequency response that sounds neutral yet pure to me. ) My needs are both for singing and voiceover. So any mic that is both quiet and sounds good, and that doesnt break the bank, appeals to me. Other mics that I was researching: The 3U Audio mics Avantone mics (Ck6, Cv12) Recording-Tools mics (which are like "Oktava-Lite" as in cheaper components but still sounding good) Proel/Eikon (italian boutique company) cm14 (sounds great) and Rm8 (active ribbon) What other giant-slayer mics do you have in yout locker?

[@matijatatomirovic3351]

Neumann u87 has built in high frequency attenuation (eq) circuit. If you do the same, roll off -10db at 20khz starting from 2khz on Behringer you might find these to indistinguishable. Anyone who has ever used u87 knows it needs high frequency boost.

[@PaoloBalestri]

In music mix, for sing yes, it is right. Indistiguishable... not so sure. I mean, in my field of job.

[@matijatatomirovic3351]

+Paolo Balestri Agree! Thank you for amazing videos Paolo!

[@guilhermec.8403]

Grazzie mille Paolo, was looking into many different microphones for my home studio, and your video was fundamental for me to choose. Also, you are an amazing voice talent!

[@PaoloBalestri]

So happy!

[@nuzzodaniele]

Complimenti Paolo, la tua voce è una delle migliori mai sentite nei doppiaggi! cmq riguardo questo confronto mi sono un attimo dedicato ad un modello di eq per rendere la risposta in frequenza del B2 simile se non uguale al u87 e penso di averla trovata mettendo due filtri, uno a 10k +2db e 0,8 di Q - il secondo, il più importante a 12k -10db e 0,5 Q - provare per credere!

[@PaoloBalestri]

Daniele Nuzzo Ciao Daniele, grazie, sei gentilissimo. Concordo con te, sto sperimentando un Golden Age.

[@nuzzodaniele]

Beh sono curioso dei test allora

[@MillenniumLoc]

try and compare on the control monitors with Neumann u87 - I personally could not distinguish them. So that's what I did? I used Fab Filter Pro Q2 - the settings are the following - try it! 1 Filter - Bell 6000 Hz -1 Q 1.814 2 filter - Bell 12000 Hz -2.01 Q 1 3 filter - High Shelf 12644 Hz Q 0.3 4 filter - High Cut 16000 Q: 0.930 (96 dB / oktava) EQ mode: Linear Phase (Maximum)

[@ryabenkov]

Well, well! Need to set a goal and look only for the difference in the sound of microphones!!! Does anyone do this except radio engineers, etc....ha-ha-ha! BEHRINGER B-2 PRO - BRAVO!!! Paolo, thank you and hello to you from St. Petersburg (Russia)!

[@lkjkj5035]

Listened a few times. Beyer880/250ohm w/ Grace Design headphone amp. The U87 sounds great, the B2 Pro sounds great too, maybe a little more bass. HPF arent on. $149 B2Pro add a tiny bit of eq free plugin and no one will know.

[@bcmediosradiotv6288]

gracias por la comparativa, he usado las dos marcas, buenos mics. saludos!

[@jorgekutev9067]

Se nota la diferencia enseguida, el problema es que el sonido del Behringer está grabado mas fuerte, lo que provoca una impresión de mayor calidad. Realmente el Neumann es mas natural y plano, el Behringer tiene realce en los agudos típico para los microfonos de gama de entrada y peca de profundidad en los graves. Generalmente una grabación con el deberia ecualizarse, lo que el Neumann no necesita - es simplemente perfecto. Esto si, pensando cuantos Behringer se pueden comprar con el dinero del Neumann - entramos en la tragedia del Dorian Gray...

[@danielalexander2274]

Hola, muy buen comentario, ¿recomendarías el micrófono Behringer B2 pro, tomando el cuenta el precio? O podría encontrar alguno más completo con el mismo costó, estoy pensando comprarme uno, el B2 pro es el cual pienso adquirir, pero me ayudaría muchísimo la opinión o sugerencia de un conocedor. Gracias de antemano.

[@Saber010]

@@danielalexander2274 Yo lo uso y si lo recomiendo, de echo lo uso en mi canal para transmitir en vivo y es perfecto.

[@PaoloBalestri]

To me the B2 is a great mic

[@fernandes5986]

@@PaoloBalestri Thank you fort this test. I have the B2 and considering the price diference I would consider the B2 super great. By the way what Behringer MIC would you recommend for guitar?

[@fernandes5986]

and one more thing what mic pre are you using?

[@tilersun]

If you closely compare the two with a spectrum analyser, there are harmonics across the spectrum in the Neumann that don't peak like in the Behringer (harsher, cheap sounding) and others are boosted in the U87 (warmer, richer harmonics) which give it a uniqueness and more human quality. However, I bought the Behringer and spent an afternoon taming it using EQ's and a multi-band compressor and got it extremely close, so close I reckon only very experienced ears would pick up on it. If you are doing voice overs or making sparse music then yes buy a U87, but for most other music (and even voice-over) I'd buy this and tweak it. I can barely hear the difference. If anyone is interested, here's what I did: I ripped the audio from this video (lovely reading btw) and chopped out both parts and put them side by side and EQ'd the Behringer's audio. I then chopped out the Ts, Ss, breath and any airy/hissy bits and EQ'd. I then focused on subby, boomy and boxy words, EQ'd again and then listened to both tracks completly a few times, tweaking until I couldn't hear the difference. I used a TDR Nova (free) to cut 7k-2.8db-0.62 curve Any SSL Channel (I used IK Multi-Media’s White Channel) to roll off 75Hz. Boost 167Hz (peak)-2db. Boost 700KHz (0.4curve) 2.1 db. Boost 3.9k-3.5db (widest curve). Cut out a notch at 4k-0.9db. Mag EQ (try Luftikus by lkjb - a free EQ) to add Air and cut 2.5k-1db. Boost 40k on Air Band 2.5db. Also cut all sub. Multi-Band Compressor (I used IK’s Quad but this takes a lot of gain-in this case low threshold-to get any action). With whatever multi you use, adjust the threshold: you wanna see a little movement but nothing major. To my ears the U87 has a subtle compression compared to the Behringer. Surprisingly the U87 is boxy in comparison but it's a tamed boxy. As I boosted 700 to match I used a multi to tame there and also the siblants around 4k, which did the trick in getting it very close in texture as well as sound! Multi Band Compressor Up to 150Hz threshold -24db. Ratio ¼. Fastest attack and release. Up to 1k hardest threshold (-40db) Ratio ¼. Fastest attack and release. Up to 6k the same Hi’s same but bring ration to 2/1. Enjoy!

[@PaoloBalestri]

Very interesting! Thank you 🙏

[@akifkaragul390]

hey, please send me screenshots theese settings. may you do? please :)

[@r.han0488]

Thank you mr.Paolo unfortunately I can't understand Italian, I want to ask you how your voice changed enormously at the last part? and do you advice me to upgrade from blue yeti to Behringer B-2 Pro or a better mic for voice overs?

[@MEGATestberichte]

Ciao :) Great channel. So many comparisons. I plan on buying a B2. Maybe i get a k47 capsule and switch it.

[@fabriziotagliaferri4305]

Il risultato sarebbe già così sorprendente anche se il Behringer risulta ancor più brillante nel cantato. In particolar modo il meglio di se' lo esprime con le voci tenorili ed acute in generale. Non è chiaramente paragonabile ad un Neumann U 87i ma senza dubbio è un microfono più che buono.

[@nicolatorri6325]

Il behringer con un leggero bost intorno ai 100 hz diventa veramente simile , ho notato che manca di quella durezza alle alte tipica di certe cineserie anche costosette e questo fa sì che ci si possa tranquillamente produrre quello che si vuole ed io sono sicuro che il cliente che riceverà il lavoro sarà completamente soddisfatto sia che si tratti di un doppiaggio che di un voice overing

[@rendermanpro]

About 0:50 I gave attention to another window and missed that you switch mic - and did not notice any difference. Listening on good DT770. You could make blind test and say results at the very end, because in many cases people shifted to more expensive one thing. In general if expensive one is better, but not for 3000 bucks.... Very nice voice for audio books and narrations.

[@PaoloBalestri]

Honestly I can listen the difference: the b2 is less warm, got more high frequency. But is easy to fix. With 900 bucks you can use an Apollo with an Avalon UAD and a tiny bit of ssl legacy noise gate and you will have a great sound with a 100 bucks mic. Or using a physical chain for the same result. I think it is no necessary to spend all the budget for the mic only. Anyway some times you must have the u87 also to stay in the game with big studios. If you are inside a good business you may have to invest on some gears. Both can sound great but one have the pedigree. You know what I mean.

[@renatopaffetti211]

finalmente un video veramente fatto bene....grazieeeeee..... Che bravo che sei.....

[@jaegervand2112]

The Behringer is a good microphone, but that piercing sibilance is impossible to eq. A de-esser, automation or a dynamic eq could bring down the gain, but the sibilance will still have the same characteristics.

[@PaoloBalestri]

Jaegervand Absolutely yes 👍 So when you push the gain with compressor and also when you record, you must to know what you do. Some sibilants if the DAC is at his limit, became impossible to correct. IMHO

[@jaegervand2112]

@@PaoloBalestri I forgot to commend you on your considerable voice talent.

[@leonline3424]

impossible to eq? really??? i like a good joke in the morning.........

[@jaegervand2112]

@@leonline3424 ...without affecting that frequency area in a very negative way - absolutely.

[@MillenniumLoc]

try and compare on the control monitors with Neumann u87 - I personally could not distinguish them. So that's what I did? I used Fab Filter Pro Q2 - the settings are the following - try it! 1 Filter - Bell 6000 Hz -1 Q 1.814 2 filter - Bell 12000 Hz -2.01 Q 1 3 filter - High Shelf 12644 Hz Q 0.3 4 filter - High Cut 16000 Q: 0.930 (96 dB / oktava) EQ mode: Linear Phase (Maximum)

[@rajasangradioberjalan]

what db do you set your high shelf to?

[@mauroverdoliva8240]

ciao paolo, io dopo un decennio con l'akg 414 xl II sono ritornato al primo amore (b2 pro). Certo e' che la differenza con mostri come il mic sopracitato o il neumann sono davvero minime e percettibili solo per orecchie professionali. cosa ne pensi?

[@yamdigger]

The Neumann sounds slightly richer than the B2. But you have listen closely to hear the difference. Otherwise, if you just listening to a podcast done with a B2, it’s quite acceptable. Not to mention that the Neumann costs about 14 more than the B2

[@yohelfernandez2611]

Pero que voz joder, magnific

[@DannyTaddei]

I had a matched pair of u87ai mics and got tired of people spitting on them so I bought a b2pro because I figured the clients wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. The joke was on me. I couldn’t hear the difference.. I sold my u87s! Wait, I lied. I could hear the difference. The cheap mike had a bit more high end an. Bit more clarity in the upper miss. The u87ai was a bit clearer in the mids and bass. The b2pro had better spl by a lot. The bottom line is I really had to squint my ears to hear the difference.

[@q-q-qiah]

Bass on the 87 is creamy

[@osomdovictor7917]

Behringer surprises me, very good mic for the price.

[@manma100ik]

It will be helpful! 参考になります！

[@PaoloBalestri]

参 what nice letters you have in your language! Thank you! :)

[@GabrielAcostaLocutor]

molto buoni. grazie per il confronto

[@MichielMensingh]

Hi Paolo, thnx for the great video! You video’s are awesome and really informative! I’m a big fan of the Behringer B2 Pro and I was wondering if you could do a comparison between the behringer and the neumann tlm103, or the tlm102? Ciao, Michiel

[@PaoloBalestri]

I will. I'm finishing a comparison on the Aston Spirit, a great mic that sounds very similar to the U87 (may be better!). The good news for you is I put it aside to the B2Pro too! Stay in touch! Only a couple of days I hope!

[@MichielMensingh]

Paolo Balestri Great!! Thank you!! :-) I’m looking forward very much!!

[@PaoloBalestri]

Michiel Mensingh My last video got the B2.

[@fidelmflores1786]

The high frequency shimmer on the B2 is audible, makes the U87 sound much nicer. But if you don't own a U87, the B2 is nice enough. Great voice btw.

[@ModulerDrone]

Uau the BA-2 is so harsh compared. Keep the videos coming really nice. I just got into microphones and it's a whole universe of sound to be explored. My best

[@LukeSimpson]

The tragedy of Dorian Gray, who spent $3,000 too much on a microphone...

[@PaoloBalestri]

It’s nice and right. Except for me! 😅

[@javierchavez3658]

Always great comparations Paolo, Neumann sounds just beautiful, Behringer is OK but not even close... THANKS!!!

[@PIasmaZombie]

not a big difference, the b-2pro sounds a bit more roaring on the lower frequencies and has a bit more sibilance on the higher tones. the Behringer B-2Pro sounds clearer on the spoken silables and how should i say it, it sounds more open and easier to listen to speech, despite the slightly more sibilance. i think for speech the Behringer B-2Pro is the better microphone, thats better for AM broadcast and for amateurradio in SSB. then its a $120 mic and how well it compares to the far more expensive neumann u87ui.

[@PaoloBalestri]

Thank you 🙏

[@Elettric-Sound-Record]

O trovato un equalizzazione per il Berlinguer B2 pro che diventa un u 87 ai a tutti gli effetti perché la capsula del B2 e la stessa del u87 ai si può ottenere un u87 a tutti gli effetti solo col B2 797 audio

[@endoffate5475]

0:46 1:08 You guys hear a huge difference?! Really.......

[@PaoloBalestri]

There are differences. High frequencies and metallic is audible. The thing you may not listen in this video is the amount of self noise, 18dB. you will listen as soon you add a compressor. Here a deepest test: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2K6hZykbM2Dm8k

[@CR1992..]

Man, I should have never stopped with my Italian practice. Starting back next week after hearing this, and realizing it's becoming a bit difficult to understand.

[@1viccar]

B-2 sounds good... until you compare it vs Neumann.... Well you have what you pay.

[@onzkicg]

same goes to all mic under $$$ 😂

[@osomdovictor7917]

I like b2 on his deep voice, thats why you should always test different mics before recording with a new vocalist

[@PaoloBalestri]

Yes, I should! Thank you

[@leonline3424]

nice trial !

[@dolbi82]

Questo mi sembra quello che si avvicina di più 👍

[@PaoloBalestri]

Dolbi rdf Con 100€ è forse il migliore in circolazione. Tra l’altro è migliorabile con alcuni componenti aggiuntivi, ci sono dei kit. Ma già da solo con un buon pre amplificatore è ottimo.

[@dolbi82]

@@PaoloBalestri si può cambiare capsula?

[@PaoloBalestri]

Dolbi rdf A tutti i microfoni si cambia ma per questo microfono sono alcuni componenti che vanno cambiati. Ma non necessariamente. Anche perché il miglioramento non è così eccezionale. La capsula è buona ma l’elettronica a basso costo. Meglio spendere in una buona catena microfonica.

[@FranciscoEspinozaTAV]

Ma allora chi ha vinto? :O

[@PaoloBalestri]

Francisco Espinoza Alarcón B2 per il prezzo, U87Ai per il suono! 😅

[@FranciscoEspinozaTAV]

@@PaoloBalestri hehehehe :D Grazie!

[@turbofreddy]

I don’t know anything about mics I just googled « Behringer B2 vs » and listened to your video on my iPhone speaker at low volume to not wake up my wife and son. I immediately disliked the metallic and flat sound of the B2 compared to the Neumann. Of course they’re in a different category but the fact that I can tell even from an iPhone speaker just makes me scared of what it will cost me to be satisfied with my setup... anyway thanks for this (several years later). Just now listened with headphones and it's like the Behringer sounds narrow, like it doesn't breathe. The Neumann has a lot more warmth and space. Anyway.. To be expected..

[@cubasianidistaceppa6369]

Come mai non hai ricapsulato il b2 pro lo fai a tutti😂 ero curioso sul b2 pro

[@PaoloBalestri]

L’ho fatto ma nulla di che… quindi l’ho tenuto originale! 😊

[@timnof]

What chain of devices ?

[@PaoloBalestri]

Directly in to a Focusrite Saffire 56 channels without Liquid.

[@timnof]

Good sound! Thanks)

[@cubasianidistaceppa6369]

Secondo me il b2 pro ha una qualità a pari merito U87 ai l'unica pecca che a che è molto aperto sulle alte se gli cambi la capsula con una più scura magari arriverebbe a un suono più caldo e vicino al 87

[@PaoloBalestri]

Ho provato la RK47 ma sono proprio le armoniche che mancano.

[@jimleveilleurlive3790]

The b2 has lot of highs

[@PaoloBalestri]

Yes it is, used with a good pre may surprise!

[@trompeta3027]

Hola Paolo, pasa por aquí kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZbFmX2Mqtadb6c y echa un vistazo, te puedo asegurar que es verdad, yo lo hice con tus muestras que tienes el blog y prácticamente suena igual... es mas yo tengo un b2 pro también y pasandole este impulso suena como un micro de alta gama, eso si el behringer B2 pro tiene que ser el de primera generación ya que los siguientes no tiene la misma electrónica, el primero montaba wima etc

[@PaoloBalestri]

Sure. i got the same and also the U87 and I can say you it sounds great. I wanted to check the mic under different test for voice over using the UAD so I can change the Ω value and test how it sounds under pressure. BTW it is a good gear for studio.

[@Satoshi_Kirisaki]

1300 RMB VS 16000 RMB，Not in the same level

[@PaoloBalestri]

李肖天骄 Most mic in the full review are not comparable. The comparison have the goal to listen the difference from a standard. It is not a race. The comparison - kzbin.info/aero/PL-0gBBEjdqb3-w1Xw__guLb_p56JjCBBD - want to give an idea to my colleagues voice talents to help to buy a mic without kill the pig! :) cheers.

[@Satoshi_Kirisaki]

Appreciate for your feedback and Video , that's really helped

[@icunlin7628]

cheaper mic very loud...but..no warm...

[@PaoloBalestri]

Yes, it cost much than B-1 but not sound so great how should. Thank you.

[@leonardo_ricci]

B2 pro noise

[@PaoloBalestri]

18db VS 12db.