Neumann U87Ai vs. TLM 103: similar or different?

This is a direct comparison between the Neumann U87Ai and the TLM 103, both microphones I've owned for several years now, and have been using extensively.

0:00 Introduction U87Ai compared to TLM 103
1:25 Similarities of the U87 and TLM 103
2:30 Differences between the U87 and TLM 103
7:36 Deciding between the U87 and TLM 103
10:19 NEUMANN U87Ai SAMPLE - FULLY PROCESSED
10:50 NEUMANN TLM 103 SAMPLE - FULLY PROCESSED
11:16 NEUMANN TLM 103 SAMPLE - NO PROCESSING
11:45 NEUMANN U87Ai SAMPLE - NO PROCESSING
12:17 Conclusions

#neumann #u87 #tlm103

[musar]

I've owned two TLM 103's for almost a quarter of a century and prefer them. Low self-noise was the deciding factor, but they also boast great clarity and a (relatively) low price. I've never regretted choosing the TLM 103 as my forever microphones.

[qjsound]

As someone who was brought up on U87 (had commercial studio for many many years), it's simply the best vocal mic - unsurpassed. The TLM is, as you say, very close, but I would totally recommend everyone in the recording audio / music biz, owns a U87. Save up if you need to. You'll be glad you did.

[WIIMTheMusician]

I have the TLM 103 and it’s an amazing mic. But knowing how to use it can make or break you. I make HipHop and RNB music, and I often find that it works much better on softer, smoother vocals because it has a sparkly top end. But when I (or other clients) hit louder/more aggressive volumes, it can get very sibilant, harsh, and tingy. You absolutely MUST have knowledge of subtractive EQ and De-Essing or else it will ring the listeners ears off. But clarity is NEVER an issue.

I recorded on my friends’ U87 and I noticed a heavier sound out the gate, with only slightly less perceived clarity than the TLM103. The U87 is WAY more balanced and controllable. Added EQ, compression, and a little saturation and it was such a “smooth sparkle”. In my opinion, it’s easier to ADD something than it is to TAME something… such as sibilance.

In conclusion, I’m happy with my TLM103 for now because I have the knowledge to control it. But it does have its limitations. I will definitely be getting the U87 soon to achieve a warmer sound, maybe even a Telefunken tube mic. Time will tell…

Thanks for the video!!

[GoodxJ]

I just love the sound of 103, it sounds so modern and pristine! I want to like the U87 but I think my mind just tells me it would be better because its so expensive. I think I'll just save my money and keep using the 103 for lol ✌🏼👍🏼🙏🏻🎤🎙

[racheloshaksmusic]

At first I thought the U87 ai was better for your voice as it sounds brighter and more energetic and the TLM made your voice sound deeper. I was going to consider purchasing the U87. But when I heard them both unprocessed around the 12:00 mark, I was surprised how pristine, bright and beautiful the TLM sounded on its own compared to how the unprocessed U87 sounds with the heavy mid frequencies which is almost muddy sounding. I don’t know if it’s worth the upgrade for my kind of bright voice. I’m still trying to make a decision. I will continue to do more research but this video helped a lot, thank you.

[b-music]

I once tested both side-by-side myself. They were very different to my ears. For me the TLM has an own distinct sound but is a bit hard and flat, while the U-87 is very neutral and very high resolution. The great thing about the maybe not that spectacular base sound of the U-87 is that it reacts really excellently to EQ and compression as almost no other mic - it's all there and you have all options to shape your sound. The signal is extremely good and complete. I finally bought the new U-67 since it's in fact the same as an U-87 (same capsule) but a different preamp (tube-based) which makes the sound already nearly mix-ready out of the mic with more fullness and character.

[AngelGranados]

Hi!! Im VO and i have 2 tlm 103 in my home studio, we are 5 VO (we are a VO family) using them everyday, all day. Great sound on and Antelope D4 SC, great price & great quality. I send the audio without any processing and it sounds great.

[songshineoriginalmusic]

Thanks Brodie. I have owned both mics together and ended up landing on the tlm-103 for my voice. It is said to have a brighter response and you are correct about the 5Khz and above presence peak. I saw another video that graphed the responses of each mic and it showed that the tlm also has less mid-low response than the 87. But we are after all talking about the 2 very best mics on the market for a variety of applications. I use it in my studio for musical recordings. Keep up the good work!

[KevinGenus]

9:57 - Just a thought.... budget does not mean low finances, it means there's a limit beyond which one will not go. Some budgets allow for multiple units of either mic.

[paulk.dicostanzo]

I really appreciate you taking the time and effort to do these production related videos. For my specific use cases as a creator, they’ve proven invaluable informing various decisions I’ve needed to make along the way.

[DawahProject]

Hello! I hope you've doing well. Thanx for video! I'm voiceover artist and month ago I've bought new u87Ai because price was attractive for me - little less than three grands, because I've have enough money at the moment and because I was dreamed about it long time. And now when I've at last got it, I've start to hear comments on YouTube like a "ai version comparing the vintage sounds like a plastic box", "ai version have a horroble resonance on 3900hz", "Neumanns long time produces in China". So now I've little bit frustrated and dismoraled and I think maybe I would bought a vintage u87 or a new version u67 or even some good clone of u47 or m49 tube instead u87ai. I see you are very expirienced in audio recording sphere so maybe you'll tell me some good analyse. Thank you again.

[Dylanklinemusic]

To my ears the tlm103 is a bit more sibilant. It gets a bit grating if you don’t de-ess it. The u87ai is more balanced out of the box. I have both and tend to use the u87ai 90% of the time. You’re right though the mid-range on the u87ai can get a touch heavy. Personally I’d rather have the “problem” of dealing with too much mids rather than too much sibilance. Both are great mics but if budget isn’t an issue I would recommend folks jump straight to the u87ai. 👍

[neol]

3:14 my experience with the u87 ai in the past was that the mid presence was too much to the point where it sounded honky. And adding eq started introducing weird phase artifacts. I can also hear the honkiness as you speak into it though overall you sound amazing as you have a great voice and the soft highs and lower end help to balance it out. There's no doubt that the mic shines in the right circumstances but the forward mid presence was too much for me.

[pentapandamusic]

Thanks for the amazing video! This deserves much more views

[tnyxgq]

I think in your review, I'm finally able to hear a difference between the two mics. You do sound very different in the two but at the same time, I can feel that it's in the same family of mics.

[tyremanguitars]

I'm happy with my tlm103 for now, but can't deny that the 87 is just that bit smoother, however they are surprisingly close!

[StudioPiosenkiMartinello]

I work with TLM103 since 2021. All records are in my YT channel. In my opinion is - TLM103 a little crispy in highs.

[dspoet]

With a Pulteq style hardware eq, you get the TLM 103 to sound warm like the U87.

[jamlocuciones]

Hi Brodie,

Nice to meet you!. I am an EU Spanish voice actor and international audio producer located in Spain and I fully agree with you in what you say. Both are very balanced, bring great warmth and vocal presence and are the soul of the German brand Neumann!. I have worked (as voice actor) with both MICs but, currently, I prefer to work with my TLM 103 because of its better price-quality ratio, but yes, indeed, its older brother, UA87 Ai, is the world standard to work on voicover and dubbing. But attention!!, every day, the TLM 103 is establishing itself as one of the key pieces/tools in any PRO Recording Studio together with the PreAMP UA 610 Solo (made in USA) and the RME UC Fireface sound card (made in Germany).

In Europe each one of these tools is currently around 1, 000 Euros. Greetings from sunny Spain!

[nhojcam]

thanks for the review. this is some very helpful information. yeah, the U87ai is what i would consider a professional, multi-pattern-capable, studio-only mic, whereas the TLM 103 is, dare i say, a more portable / universal, quieter workhorse mic. i have good ears and, to me, both sound 99.9% the same under controlled conditions, but the 103 is quieter in a little bit noisier room, or a room that isn't as well treated. i have the 103 (baritone voice) and use it "dry" (phantom power only, no pre) on broadcast radio. it's awesome! would i ever own a U87ai for my application? nope. the value proposition is just not present for me, and even the 103 is kind of a stretch. call me spoiled, but i just don't like dynamic mics for radio work. i always feel that i have to practically eat the mic to keep the same levels. for me, it's condenser all the way. it's just a more comfortable mic to use.