The best microphone I have ever owned - period. The only problem with this microphone is that it hears all of the deficiencies in your recording environment.

Most recordings can be handled nicely by many modern microphones, but I have not yet worked with any microphone that even comes close the sonic marvel that is the U87.

It should be kept in mind that this mic is a historical gear, it's a design which act as a benchmark for a lot of new name large diaghram condenser mic this day, therefore,it is over priced when compared to its quality and value. No doubt a good mic, i bought it used and it have a unique warm, vintage sort of sonic character and its a very versatile workhorse mic which can be used on almost anything. However,we have to admitt to ourself that alot of new mic out this days are really good quality, there are no such thing as you only can get a professional condensor mic for $2000 plus, i tried alot of mic, and for sold the neumann u87ai to get myself this mic. AKG C414 BXL II,RODE K2, pair of Neumann km-184.and this mic gave me more value than a u87ai.I am a singer songwriter, and this is all i need to record tracks i use for commercial release in my studio recording booth.A pair of km-184 is much better than u-87ai in accuracy sonic capture for acoustic guitar, i can do it in stereo, or just space, xy, whatever i want, so therefore its a winner. Akg c414,5 polar pattern, great on vox,acoustic guitar,and almost suit anything due to its polar pattern.I use it on background vox singer, and rode k2 is a big winwin for my vocal,is a high quality tube mic, and really add that big warm sonic character to vocal recording, not good on acoustic guitar, but great on amping bass,cello, and gtr amp.Overall my point here is not to say u87sucks, is a damn good mic, it got a sonic character of its own, but so does other mic like c414, rode k2.if one day i got the money,i wouldnt mine buying a u87ai,its like having more color to choose from for my recording. However, if you comparing the quality between other high end mic, its way over priced, and its priced more based on its historic value, than quality it can produce. I record through pair of avalon 737sp, apogee ros.200, into protools hd and often just sent off my track than to my enginner to mix. Hope this review helps.

This microphone has performed in the most detailed degree of vocal/instrument response, and is one if not the top recording microphone on the market. However, I have to agree that with voice over work, it is slightly lacking the bottom, that most voice over projects require (mainly radio). This microphone isn't designed for radio broadcast applications, it's designed for recording studio intimacy.

Nuemann U87 + Avalon 737 = Heaven Invest people!

this mic is absolutely the clearest mic i've heard in my life. in the studio, we use these coupled with 5k preamps and the sound is out of this world. you can't hope to get a good sound out of something this immaculate without the proper goods. only reason i gave an average review on this mic is because i, myself, can't afford the hefty price tag. that, and this mic isn't for the weak-voiced. if you stutter in your MIND this mic will hear it and deliver in full. but when you hit the studio this is the mic you'll want to make them setup. end of story.

I own lots of mics, and not one of them has the clarity and body equaling my U87. From the first day I recorded a vocal with my U87 until now, there is no decision to make, no apologizing, no compromise. This is the best mic. Anybody that says "Xxx microphone is just as good as a U87" simply can't afford one. If they sold U87 microphones for $ 100 each, we'd all own a dozen. So, this bitterness is about money, and I can't make that easier for you. But let's get one thing straight - this is the mic you want. It sounds perfect.