[Boris Lau]

Hi all,

sorry to bother you again with this ever repeating topic. But last time
your advice helped me a lot to narrow down the options. Again I want to
order some mics, compare then and keep one pair.

I want to record percussion, acoustic guitar and piano in my homestudio
or on location, so I need a versatile mic that can stand high sound
pressure levels but still has low self-noise for recording quiet
instruments. People in this group seem to like the AT4051, but in
Germany it's not available, only the AT4041.

Here's a list of mics that I currently consider, along with the pair price:

Ottava MK 012-01 (320 EUR)
Rode NT5 (350 EUR)
Audio Technica AT4041 (400 EUR)
Audio Technica AE 5100 (540 EUR)
AKG C 451 B (700 EUR)
Sennheiser E 914 (700 EUR)
Shure KSM 137 (800 EUR)
Neumann KM 184 (1100 EUR)

I don't want to spend more than the price for a pair of KM 184s. Cheaper
is good, if it's a high-value-for-money product. Can you help me to
narrow down this list to three or four? Am I missing a nice model?

Thanks for any help

Boris

[Fletch]

On Nov 13, 7:49 am, Boris Lau wrote:
Hi all,

sorry to bother you again with this ever repeating topic. But last time
your advice helped me a lot to narrow down the options. Again I want to
order some mics, compare then and keep one pair.

I want to record percussion, acoustic guitar and piano in my homestudio
or on location, so I need a versatile mic that can stand high sound
pressure levels but still has low self-noise for recording quiet
instruments. People in this group seem to like the AT4051, but in
Germany it's not available, only the AT4041.

Here's a list of mics that I currently consider, along with the pair price:

Ottava MK 012-01 (320 EUR)
Rode NT5 (350 EUR)
Audio Technica AT4041 (400 EUR)
Audio Technica AE 5100 (540 EUR)
AKG C 451 B (700 EUR)
Sennheiser E 914 (700 EUR)
Shure KSM 137 (800 EUR)
Neumann KM 184 (1100 EUR)

I don't want to spend more than the price for a pair of KM 184s. Cheaper
is good, if it's a high-value-for-money product. Can you help me to
narrow down this list to three or four? Am I missing a nice model?

Thanks for any help

Boris


You left off the AT 4053 (which allows for capsule swapping, a big
plus). These are better than the 4041 (which I have and like, but are
a bit bright).

The AE5100 is part of the Artist Elite handheld series meant for stage
use; these are not SDs as I recall. I have some 5400's which are great
stage vocal mics (using the 4050 diaphrams).

You may wish to check out the Mojave Audio M100 pencil. It's a tube
SD, but at 800 USD, you never know.

Studio Projects makes a decent SD, too. My church has them as
overheads on the drums and they translate pretty well.

I have a set of NT5's. They are nice, but a bit sizzly on the top end.
But if you like that, it works. EQ can always be employed to tame.

--Fletch

[Fletch]

On Nov 13, 7:49 am, Boris Lau wrote:
Hi all,

sorry to bother you again with this ever repeating topic. But last time
your advice helped me a lot to narrow down the options. Again I want to
order some mics, compare then and keep one pair.

I want to record percussion, acoustic guitar and piano in my homestudio
or on location, so I need a versatile mic that can stand high sound
pressure levels but still has low self-noise for recording quiet
instruments. People in this group seem to like the AT4051, but in
Germany it's not available, only the AT4041.

Here's a list of mics that I currently consider, along with the pair price:

Ottava MK 012-01 (320 EUR)
Rode NT5 (350 EUR)
Audio Technica AT4041 (400 EUR)
Audio Technica AE 5100 (540 EUR)
AKG C 451 B (700 EUR)
Sennheiser E 914 (700 EUR)
Shure KSM 137 (800 EUR)
Neumann KM 184 (1100 EUR)

I don't want to spend more than the price for a pair of KM 184s. Cheaper
is good, if it's a high-value-for-money product. Can you help me to
narrow down this list to three or four? Am I missing a nice model?

Thanks for any help

Boris


Okay, sorry, you did mention the 405x series. Hmmm... Maybe you know
someone where they can be had and shipped to you if that's what you
really want?

--Fletch

[William Sommerwerck]

How about Milab (nee, Pearl)? I used to own TC-4vs, and loved 'em. (If
you're one of the people who bought a pair from me and didn't get the stand
mounts, contact me. I found them.)

The VM-44 looks like a good bet, though I'm not sure how "small" the
capsules are.

http://www.milabmic.com/welcome.asp

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/337331.html

[Scott Dorsey]

Boris Lau wrote:

I don't want to spend more than the price for a pair of KM 184s. Cheaper
is good, if it's a high-value-for-money product. Can you help me to
narrow down this list to three or four? Am I missing a nice model?

I'd pick the Josephson Series 4 or the Audio Technica AT4053 overy any
of the ones you list.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Mike Rivers]

On Nov 13, 10:49 am, Boris Lau wrote:

I don't want to spend more than the price for a pair of KM 184s. Cheaper
is good, if it's a high-value-for-money product.

At your experience level, I'd stick at the low end of your list,
probably the Rode or Oktava (if you can avoid the Chinese copies), or
Studio Projects if you can get it over there. They're good enough to
be versatile and reasonably quiet, and when you get ready for some
better mics, they'll still be usable.

If you buy the KM184s, it'll be a good investment but you probably
don't need to spend that much money at this point.

[Boris Lau]

Fletch wrote:
Okay, sorry, you did mention the 405x series. Hmmm... Maybe you know
someone where they can be had and shipped to you if that's what you
really want?

Well, I don't know what mic I want, but I really want to listen and
compare myself. This gets a lot harder with international shipping. I'll
look again for a 405x source in Germany, but even the AT site doesn't
list them...

Boris

[Scott Dorsey]

Boris Lau wrote:
Scott Dorsey wrote:
I'd pick the Josephson Series 4 or the Audio Technica AT4053 overy any
of the ones you list.

The difference between the AT4053 and the AT4051 is the pattern, right?

Yes.

Would you recommend a hyper-cardioid instead of a cardioid one for my
applications? I just found a german source for the AT405x

I would tend to. But the nice thing is that the 4051 has interchangable
capsules (like the KM-100), so you can get the hypercardioid first and
then later get the cardioid and omni ones if you need them.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Boris Lau]

Scott Dorsey wrote:
I'd pick the Josephson Series 4 or the Audio Technica AT4053 overy any
of the ones you list.

The difference between the AT4053 and the AT4051 is the pattern, right?
Would you recommend a hyper-cardioid instead of a cardioid one for my
applications? I just found a german source for the AT405x

Boris

[Peter Larsen[_2_]]

Fletch wrote:

You left off the AT 4053 (which allows for capsule swapping, a big
plus). These are better than the 4041 (which I have and like, but are
a bit bright).

The AE5100 is part of the Artist Elite handheld series meant for stage
use; these are not SDs as I recall. I have some 5400's which are great
stage vocal mics (using the 4050 diaphrams).

You may wish to check out the Mojave Audio M100 pencil. It's a tube
SD, but at 800 USD, you never know.

Studio Projects makes a decent SD, too. My church has them as
overheads on the drums and they translate pretty well.

I have a set of NT5's. They are nice, but a bit sizzly on the top end.
But if you like that, it works. EQ can always be employed to tame.

Fletch, you say KM184 as I read you .... almost did suggest that as he can
exactly affor that one he should get it based on how the 84 sounded when I
borrowed a pair way many years ago.

--Fletch

Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[Peter Larsen[_2_]]

Mike Rivers wrote:

If you buy the KM184s, it'll be a good investment but you probably
don't need to spend that much money at this point.

I could have bought a pair of 84's in 1974, borrowed them and liked the
sound, but didn't feel I could afford them. I have considered that to be a
large error for quite some time now.


Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[Peter Larsen[_2_]]

Boris Lau wrote:

Fletch wrote:

Okay, sorry, you did mention the 405x series. Hmmm... Maybe you know
someone where they can be had and shipped to you if that's what you
really want?

Well, I don't know what mic I want, but I really want to listen and
compare myself. This gets a lot harder with international shipping.
I'll look again for a 405x source in Germany, but even the AT site
doesn't list them...

I would have thought that Thomann had them, they don't, but their price on
the 4041 looks nice to me ... and the 3031 ... search enough and it is easy
to reach total confusion .... O;-)

Boris


Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[Fletch]

On Nov 13, 9:07 am, "Peter Larsen" wrote:
Mike Rivers wrote:
If you buy the KM184s, it'll be a good investment but you probably
don't need to spend that much money at this point.

I could have bought a pair of 84's in 1974, borrowed them and liked the
sound, but didn't feel I could afford them. I have considered that to be a
large error for quite some time now.

Kind regards

Peter Larsen


Well, the old 84's can still be had for a "reasonable" price, for
vintage Neumann's...

Or you could go with the Microtech Gefell M300, which is said to be
like the old 84's, but I haven't tried them yet to know if that is so.
Maybe someone else here knows?

--Fletch

[Peter Larsen[_2_]]

Fletch wrote:

Well, the old 84's can still be had for a "reasonable" price, for
vintage Neumann's...

Hmmm .... thanks, Ï should not get tempted right now ... :-(

Or you could go with the Microtech Gefell M300, which is said to be
like the old 84's, but I haven't tried them yet to know if that is so.

Euros 719 ... it may not be expensive per se ... Thomann has a stereo set KM
184 at Euros 1129.

Maybe someone else here knows?

I have heard some enthusiasm regarding the Microtech Gefells but also that
they no longer constitute the budget option. They were reportedly more
budget friendly previously, but then everybody heard about them and the
workers began getting paid in real money.

--Fletch

Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[Scott Dorsey]

Peter Larsen wrote:
Fletch wrote:

Well, the old 84's can still be had for a "reasonable" price, for
vintage Neumann's...

Hmmm .... thanks, Ï should not get tempted right now ... :-(

Or you could go with the Microtech Gefell M300, which is said to be
like the old 84's, but I haven't tried them yet to know if that is so.

Euros 719 ... it may not be expensive per se ... Thomann has a stereo set KM
184 at Euros 1129.

Yes, but the KM84 sounds very different (and better) than the KM184.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Peter Larsen[_2_]]

Scott Dorsey wrote:

Peter Larsen wrote:
Fletch wrote:

Well, the old 84's can still be had for a "reasonable" price, for
vintage Neumann's...

Hmmm .... thanks, Ï should not get tempted right now ... :-(

Or you could go with the Microtech Gefell M300, which is said to be
like the old 84's, but I haven't tried them yet to know if that is
so.

Euros 719 ... it may not be expensive per se ... Thomann has a
stereo set KM 184 at Euros 1129.

Yes, but the KM84 sounds very different (and better) than the KM184.

US $3.175,00, recent ebay price for a pair of 1960'ties km84i's

--scott

Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[[email protected]]

On Nov 13, 8:43 am, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
Boris Lau wrote:

Scott Dorsey wrote:
I'd pick the Josephson Series 4 or the Audio Technica AT4053 overy any
of the ones you list.

The difference between the AT4053 and the AT4051 is the pattern, right?

Yes.

Would you recommend a hyper-cardioid instead of a cardioid one for my
applications? I just found a german source for the AT405x

I would tend to. But the nice thing is that the 4051 has interchangable
capsules (like the KM-100), so you can get the hypercardioid first and
then later get the cardioid and omni ones if you need them.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Sadly it appears AT has discontinued the 4049 omni capsules. As Scott
said, look for the AT4053a and the Josephson Series 4. I had the
AT4041 before the AT4051. The 4041 is a little wooly sounding to me.
The 4053 is quite useful and I don't think I've had the 4051s out of
the drawer in quite awhile.

bobs

Bob Smith
BS Studios
we organize chaos
http://www.bsstudios.com

[Boris Lau]

Boris Lau wrote:
Thanks for your advice, guys. I have listened to the Rode NT5 and don't
like their top end. Considering your suggestions I think I'll order a
pair of AT4053 and a pair of KM184 and compare them.

By the way - there are no matched pairs for the AT4053, are there? So I
just get two of them?

Boris

[Boris Lau]

Boris Lau wrote:
I want to record percussion, acoustic guitar and piano in my homestudio
or on location, so I need a versatile mic that can stand high sound
pressure levels but still has low self-noise for recording quiet
instruments. People in this group seem to like the AT4051, but in
Germany it's not available, only the AT4041.

Thanks for your advice, guys. I have listened to the Rode NT5 and don't
like their top end. Considering your suggestions I think I'll order a
pair of AT4053 and a pair of KM184 and compare them.

If I consider the hyper-cardioid AT4053 instead of the cardioid AT4051 -
would you also recommend taking the KM185 instead of the KM184?

Thanks again for your help,

Boris

[Scott Dorsey]

Boris Lau wrote:
Boris Lau wrote:
Thanks for your advice, guys. I have listened to the Rode NT5 and don't
like their top end. Considering your suggestions I think I'll order a
pair of AT4053 and a pair of KM184 and compare them.

By the way - there are no matched pairs for the AT4053, are there? So I
just get two of them?

Until very recently, Neumann wouldn't sell matched pairs either, saying
the production was consistent enough they didn't have to. But they gave
in to consumer pressure and now will do additional matching for more money,
which isn't worth the extra cost.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

Boris Lau wrote:
Boris Lau wrote:
I want to record percussion, acoustic guitar and piano in my homestudio
or on location, so I need a versatile mic that can stand high sound
pressure levels but still has low self-noise for recording quiet
instruments. People in this group seem to like the AT4051, but in
Germany it's not available, only the AT4041.

Thanks for your advice, guys. I have listened to the Rode NT5 and don't
like their top end. Considering your suggestions I think I'll order a
pair of AT4053 and a pair of KM184 and compare them.

If I consider the hyper-cardioid AT4053 instead of the cardioid AT4051 -
would you also recommend taking the KM185 instead of the KM184?

Well, the pattern on the front lobe of the AT4053 is about as wide as
the pattern on the KM184, so I'd say the 4053 is probably more like the
KM184 than it's like the KM185.

However, I think the KM185 sounds better off-axis than the KM184 does.
(I also think the KM140 sounds better than the KM184... and I'll pick
an old KM84 over any of them).

Which one you select depends on your taste, your room, and your flexibility
in placement.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Tardman]

Don't overlook the Beyerdynamic MC930.

Rich

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

[Fran Guidry]

On Nov 13, 7:49 am, Boris Lau wrote:
Hi all,

sorry to bother you again with this ever repeating topic. But last time
your advice helped me a lot to narrow down the options. Again I want to
order some mics, compare then and keep one pair.

I want to record percussion, acoustic guitar and piano in my homestudio
or on location, so I need a versatile mic that can stand high sound
pressure levels but still has low self-noise for recording quiet
instruments. People in this group seem to like the AT4051, but in
Germany it's not available, only the AT4041.

Here's a list of mics that I currently consider, along with the pair price:

Ottava MK 012-01 (320 EUR)
Rode NT5 (350 EUR)
Audio Technica AT4041 (400 EUR)
Audio Technica AE 5100 (540 EUR)
AKG C 451 B (700 EUR)
Sennheiser E 914 (700 EUR)
Shure KSM 137 (800 EUR)
Neumann KM 184 (1100 EUR)

I don't want to spend more than the price for a pair of KM 184s. Cheaper
is good, if it's a high-value-for-money product. Can you help me to
narrow down this list to three or four? Am I missing a nice model?

Thanks for any help

Boris

I haven't used them myself, but a number of posters on various
recording forums (fora?) are enthusiastic about the Beyer MC930 that
Tardman recommends in another post. It is often described as sounding
very much like a vintage Neumann KM84.

Just for the record, I preferred the AT4041 to the AT4051, although I
now have neither.

Fran

[Boris Lau]

Fran Guidry wrote:
I haven't used them myself, but a number of posters on various
recording forums (fora?) are enthusiastic about the Beyer MC930 that
Tardman recommends in another post. It is often described as sounding
very much like a vintage Neumann KM84.


alright, I put them on my list.

Boris

[Goran Stojiljkovic]

I have Oktavas,at 4041,akg c451b nad neumann km84 (not 184)but i know what
is km 184..oktavas,good ,versatile for acc,overhead..at 4041,more noise ok
mic but not in same range with neumanns,c451b(i own stereo set) perfect for
some things but to bright....my choice will be NEUMAN km184..little
bright,but not like ags 451b..have some 3d magic,that no one of the other
mic dont have...it is first choice for most of strings instruments.....sorry
for my English
"Boris Lau" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

sorry to bother you again with this ever repeating topic. But last time
your advice helped me a lot to narrow down the options. Again I want to
order some mics, compare then and keep one pair.

I want to record percussion, acoustic guitar and piano in my homestudio
or on location, so I need a versatile mic that can stand high sound
pressure levels but still has low self-noise for recording quiet
instruments. People in this group seem to like the AT4051, but in
Germany it's not available, only the AT4041.

Here's a list of mics that I currently consider, along with the pair
price:

Ottava MK 012-01 (320 EUR)
Rode NT5 (350 EUR)
Audio Technica AT4041 (400 EUR)
Audio Technica AE 5100 (540 EUR)
AKG C 451 B (700 EUR)
Sennheiser E 914 (700 EUR)
Shure KSM 137 (800 EUR)
Neumann KM 184 (1100 EUR)

I don't want to spend more than the price for a pair of KM 184s. Cheaper
is good, if it's a high-value-for-money product. Can you help me to
narrow down this list to three or four? Am I missing a nice model?

Thanks for any help

Boris

[anahata]

"Boris Lau" wrote

Here's a list of mics that I currently consider, along with the pair
price:

Ottava MK 012-01 (320 EUR)
Rode NT5 (350 EUR)
Audio Technica AT4041 (400 EUR)
Audio Technica AE 5100 (540 EUR)
AKG C 451 B (700 EUR)
Sennheiser E 914 (700 EUR)
Shure KSM 137 (800 EUR)
Neumann KM 184 (1100 EUR)

Shouldn't the AKG C535EB be in that list?

--
Anahata
-+- http://www.treewind.co.uk
Home: 01638 720444 Mob: 07976 263827

[Boris Lau]

Boris Lau wrote:
the Audio Technica AT4053a is not available any more. The German
distributor says it's out of production, and I could not find a store
that has it in stock. Too bad...

So I go for Neumann KM184 and Beyerdynamics MC930.

Should I get the AT4041 as well for comparison, or is it not competitive?

Boris

P.S.: I seem to like replying to my own posts...

[Boris Lau]

Hey there,

the Audio Technica AT4053a is not available any more. The German
distributor says it's out of production, and I could not find a store
that has it in stock. Too bad...

So I go for Neumann KM184 and Beyerdynamics MC930.

Best,

Boris

[Peter Larsen[_2_]]

Boris Lau wrote:

Hey there,

the Audio Technica AT4053a is not available any more. The German
distributor says it's out of production, and I could not find a store
that has it in stock. Too bad...

So I go for Neumann KM184 and Beyerdynamics MC930.

Interesting direction, please report your opinion if you get to test both.

Boris


Kind regards

Peter Larsen

[Boris Lau]

Peter Larsen wrote:
So I go for Neumann KM184 and Beyerdynamics MC930.

Interesting direction, please report your opinion if you get to test both.

Yeah, I guess the AT4053a is really missing in there ;-)

Boris

[Boris Lau]

Boris Lau wrote:
Yeah, I guess the AT4053a is really missing in there ;-)

but I don't really want to try the AT4041, since they have been
described as pretty bright multiple times and I don't want bright. Or
let's say, not more bright than the KM184. That's also why I leave out
the Rode NT5.

Boris

[Scott Dorsey]

In article ,
Boris Lau wrote:
Boris Lau wrote:
the Audio Technica AT4053a is not available any more. The German
distributor says it's out of production, and I could not find a store
that has it in stock. Too bad...

So I go for Neumann KM184 and Beyerdynamics MC930.

Should I get the AT4041 as well for comparison, or is it not competitive?

I don't think it is.

Try the Josephson Series Four, then. The dollar has dropped outrageously
so it is probably an excellent deal for you.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Boris Lau]

Scott Dorsey wrote:
Try the Josephson Series Four, then. The dollar has dropped outrageously
so it is probably an excellent deal for you.
--scott

I would love to, but it seems like there is not a single Josephson mic
available in Germany. That makes the "buy - try - possibly return" thing
very hard or impossible. Thanks anyway!

Boris

[Ty Ford]

On Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:56:13 -0500, Boris Lau wrote
(in article ):

Hey there,

the Audio Technica AT4053a is not available any more. The German
distributor says it's out of production, and I could not find a store
that has it in stock. Too bad...

So I go for Neumann KM184 and Beyerdynamics MC930.

Best,

Boris

or not,,,

Ty,

Yes, we still carry the AT4053a. Here is the link with retail price,
and the estimated street price is $499.

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wi...1cb/index.html

Thanks,
Karen

Karen Emerson
Media Manager
Audio-Technica U.S., Inc.
1221 Commerce Drive
Stow, OH 44224
330-686-2600 ext. 2830
Fax 330-688-3752
www.audio-technica.com

--Audio Equipment Reviews Audio Production Services
Acting and Voiceover Demos http://www.tyford.com
Guitar player?:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RZJ9MptZmU

[Scott Dorsey]

Boris Lau wrote:
Scott Dorsey wrote:
Try the Josephson Series Four, then. The dollar has dropped outrageously
so it is probably an excellent deal for you.

I would love to, but it seems like there is not a single Josephson mic
available in Germany. That makes the "buy - try - possibly return" thing
very hard or impossible. Thanks anyway!

Joystick in Belgium should have demos available... they are probably the
biggest European dealer now and they'll ship you a demo. But yeah, I
don't think they have anything in Germany yet.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Geoff]

Boris Lau wrote:
Boris Lau wrote:
Yeah, I guess the AT4053a is really missing in there ;-)

but I don't really want to try the AT4041, since they have been
described as pretty bright multiple times and I don't want bright. Or
let's say, not more bright than the KM184. That's also why I leave out
the Rode NT5.

How do you work that out. The NT5 is significantly less bright than KM184 or
AT4041 !

geoff

[Boris Lau]

Geoff wrote:
How do you work that out. The NT5 is significantly less bright than KM184 or
AT4041 !

Is it? From Fletch's post and one of my own recordings I got that
impression. Maybe bright is not the best word, Fletch said "sizzly at
the top end". Do you think the NT5 is smoother than the KM184?

Boris


--
http://www.borislau.de - computer science, music, photos

I had a different approach to solving your problem. I bought a cheap pair
of mikes; in my case, it was a pair of Behringer C-2 mikes. They came in a
nice foam-lined box for $50/pr, postpaid. I made a recording of a song
recital, and then asked the performers to judge the sound quality. They
thought it sounded superb, better than any other recordings that they had
made previously.

It's always better to let performers judge the quality of a recording.
Knowing, as I did, that the mikes were dirt cheap makes it impossible to
properly evaluate them.

If it turns out that you're not happy with the mike performance, you only
lost $50 on the deal--probably less than the sales tax on some of the
fancier mikes.

Norm Strong

[Geoff]

Boris Lau wrote:
Geoff wrote:
How do you work that out. The NT5 is significantly less bright than
KM184 or AT4041 !

Is it? From Fletch's post and one of my own recordings I got that
impression. Maybe bright is not the best word, Fletch said "sizzly at
the top end". Do you think the NT5 is smoother than the KM184?


Yes, buy miles. And, as well as by listening, if you look at the freq plot
you'll see why !

geoff

[Geoff]

wrote:
I had a different approach to solving your problem. I bought a cheap
pair of mikes; in my case, it was a pair of Behringer C-2 mikes. They came
in a nice foam-lined box for $50/pr, postpaid. I made a
recording of a song recital, and then asked the performers to judge
the sound quality. They thought it sounded superb, better than any
other recordings that they had made previously.


That may have been the case, but do you know if they actually are skilled at
evaluating recordings ? Their normal perspective is totally different to
that of the audience.

That said, the C2 may have been infinitely (or more) better than what they
had heard before, but what HAD they heard before ?

geoff