Cheaper U67? - JZ Mics Vintage 67 Review / Test (vs. U67, U87, TLM103)

Today i review the JZ Mics Vintage 67, a mic that based on it's name is going for the U67 sound at 1/6th the price. It is very bare bones with a single polar pattern, no pad, and no filters, but it does offer a low self noise of 6dBA.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
• Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
• Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
• Gain: ~1:30
• Boosted in Post: +4dB

SPECS:
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz
• Sensitivity: -33dB
• Self Noise: 16BA
• Max SPL: 134dB
• Impedance: 50 Ohms

Buy the V67 (NON-Affiliate Link)

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:28 - What’s in the Box
00:46 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:13 - Specifications
01:26 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:44 - Plosive Test
01:54 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:16 - Background Noise Test
02:32 - Untreated Room Test
02:51 - Shock Rejection Test
03:10 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:23 - High End Preamp Demo
04:19 - Intro to Comparison
04:48 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
05:09 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
05:37 - Shure KSM32 Comparison
06:07 - JZ Mics Vintage 11 Comparison
06:35 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
07:08 - Austrian Audio OC818 Comparison
07:44 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
08:22 - Neumann U67 Reissue Comparison
09:06 - Music Test
11:04 - Pros & Cons
12:04 - Overall Thoughts
13:47 - Recommendation
14:51 - Outro

#Studio #Condenser #MicReview

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[Bloor]

Literally outclassed yourself on that music test. A real step up!! Guitars all sound incredible.

[tjzuppe]

Me: Why am I crying real tears in this music test?
Bandrew: Anyways, that was a song about pizza.

[homestudioacademy]

Awesome review! Sounds super smooth and great on your voice. Also, the music section was AMAZING dude! 👏

[berto]

Eating healthy can suck. Being healthy definitely doesn't.

[techmed-rainer]

Danke! When I spotted the title of this video I read "cheating U67" 😅

[imeanyeah]

I'm loving the new music tests. You have improved so much!

[jeremyg]

Wow. You absolutely killed this review, the music test was really great! While it's not a 67, it is a really interesting and warm sound. The resonance in the build quality is a bit of a bummer. I definitely found this mic very listenable on your podcast and not overly harsh, so I bet while the high end is not the smoothest, it is probably very manageable.

[DapperDanLovesYou]

The entire review, I just kept thinking, “Dang, Austrian Audio makes a strong argument with their OC18 at $800 USD.”

Great video as always!! I definitely agree with your assessment. Compared to the smooth KSM32, the additional articulation of the V67 is nice, but the sharp transients can be dangerous on the wrong source. At $1200 USD with no switches and minimal shock absorption, the V67 has a lot of competition. Still, I find the matte gray color and soap-bar design strangely alluring! Cheers!

[JoshColletta]

Wow; that plosive rejection is impressive! Also, nice warmth without being boomy, muddy, or boxy. Pretty difficult to pull off, so kudos to JZ Mics for nailing it. The articulation frequencies balance out nicely, too. Perfectly intelligible without being too harsh, though as you said, the top end is a little sharp.

[danbode]

Should note that JZ has created a shock mount for their Vintage series that seriously improves some of the complaints with set up and resonance

[meanmr.mustard]

Yup, ..nice video and again a real nice song 😉👍.

[Codemantic]

I watch these for fun, his analysis is always fascinating to watch.

[OlexanderZnaharenkoUA]

Yeeey, my favourite channel made a new video))) I'll watch later. 🎉😊

[TSGEnt]

The JZ is a bit thinner and a bit sibilant than the U67 but very very close in my opinion. Even through the garbage compression YouTube subjects us to. Is it worth +$1k price tag. Well if marketed as a U67 at a $6k savings, perhaps but...
..it's a latvian mic that cost about $100 to make. That's a pretty good margin wouldn't you say?
I came for the music and you didn't disappoint. Thank you!

[yuranival]

A cool warm mic and a fantastic music segment. maximum Jamgie emote vibes

[MechTechRW]

Hands down the best singing I've heard from you, dude. If that had picked up from the angelic guitar to a more energetic guitar with drums.

Bandrew it's time to get the band back together!!

[marmaladecreammedia]

That mic sounds great on you! Really nice midrange presence but not honky, boxy, or sibilant.

[stephenwav]

Hey, I've been watching you for a view Years now and you really inspired me when it comes to audio and helped me with a lot of decisions, thanks for that forst of all, love your content.

I would love a review of the Sony C80. I'm about to get one for myself and do a review on it and I was surprised how little content there is about it on YouTube. :)

[BadChizzle]

Strat’s bringing out better vibes, my friend. Deep musical pizza Love. Thanks for another video, to make for a better day.

[befingered]

To my ears, the JZ sounded most similar to the Sure KSM-32, Neumann TLM 103, and maybe the U87. (I'm a big fan of the KSM-32.)