Neat Worker Bee II vs. Original Worker Bee, Teardown and Testing

[@brianburkett6606]

I enjoyed this unique review, I think you're ahead of your time!

[@defjam641]

Brill comparison, very thorough! Thanks

[@noddy5]

how'd you open the worker bee 2? what kind of tool did you use? I'm trying to open it up because it has horrible hiss and I figured that the paint on it isn't sanded out yet.

[@bigtb1717]

I made a tool in my garage. It was a flat bar of steel. I cut a hole just big enough for the threaded portion of the mic to slip through. Then I drilled two small holes that lined up right where the little, half-circle notches are in the nut that holds the mic together. Then I slipped 1/8" rods (I used the smooth part of 1/8" drill bits) through the holes. The rods gripped the nut in the little notches and I was able to unscrew it using the leverage of the steel flat bar. I'm sure there is a special spanner wrench for it, but I certainly don't have one.

[@noddy5]

@@bigtb1717 Damn, I don't have enough tools to make an opener for mine. I'm trying to open it cus it has the hiss/hum issue that's prominent on these newer version of Neat mics. At this point idk what to do aside from just returning it and getting an exchange, but I'm worried that the exchange copy that I'll get will have the same issue.

[@bigtb1717]

If it's not too much of a hassle, I would try exchanging it. Mine didn't have any hum issue out of the box. If the replacement has an issue, maybe try contacting Neat, see what they say? Are you in the US?

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Original Neat King bee sounds better. It has great performance for low price.

[@wtulin1970]

it should sound better. it was much more expensive when released, and has more robust circuit, transformer coupled, and a true condenser 34mm gold sputtered capsule. the worker was meant as a lower end option.