Lewitt, founded in 2009, has since made a name for itself in its forward thinking designs and reputation for high-quality products. A year ago, the company announced the release of the MTP W950, a handheld microphone capable of being used in both wired and wireless settings.
In this review, I’ll be taking a closer look at the W950 to see what it has to offer.
Why you should trust me
Final verdict on the Lewitt MTP W950
The MTP W950 is a microphone that boasts exceptional performance as well as a rather unique and innovative design. While many microphones in this price range are equal in terms of sound quality, the wireless capabilities of the W950 set it apart.
What I like
- Extremely versatile.
- Great sound quality.
- Unique and innovative design.
What I don’t like
- Nothing to note.
Contents
Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.
Polar pattern and frequency response
The Lewitt MTP W950 features a 1-inch condenser capsule as well as a frequency response of 20 Hz – 20 kHz with a slight lift in the high end for presence and a boost around 10 kHz for clarity.
The microphone is also capable of switching between either cardioid or supercardioid polar patterns which allows for more flexibility on-stage.
Furthermore, the MTP W950 has both a 120 Hz hi-pass filter (to help tame unwanted grumble and low-end) as well as a -12 dB attenuation pad for louder sound sources such as drums or heavy vocalists.
Last but not least is that while the microphone is capable of being hooked up with a standard XLR run, the whole capsule can be unscrewed entirely and connected to a wireless transmitter.
The capsule (with a concentric ring and a 1 1/4-28 UN thread mount) is able to work alongside common wireless systems such as Shure, Sony, Audio-Technica, and Lectrosonics.
Now, let’s go through some common applications in which the MTP W950 might be used.
Vocals (studio and live)
Considering that it’s a handheld mic, you’d have to think that a crucial part of its design would be to tailor itself towards vocal applications.
The hi-pass filter and -12 dB pad allow for more precision over the recording environment, while the switchable cardioid and supercardioid patterns can work to tame unwanted external noise, whether it be the sound of an audience or the sound of other players in the studio.
The wireless compatibility of the microphone can also serve live vocalists who are more active in their performance.
Guitar amps
I was a bit surprised at how the MTP W950 captured electric guitars. For one, the high max SPL at 140 dB allowed me to record at higher volumes with ease, but I also found that the tonal character of the mic suited itself quite nicely to electric guitar.
The subtle roll-off in the low end made the bass and low-mids exceptionally clear, the midrange was open, and the slight boost in the treble range was able to add some excitement to the overall sound without sounding artificial.
Bass amps
While this might not be my first choice when recording bass, I would certainly consider using it in conjunction with another microphone.
The added presence and open mids can help to add some punch and clarity to your bass tone, but I found the lows to be a little lackluster compared to other microphones.
Acoustic guitars
On acoustic guitar, the microphone showcased a solid balance between the low-end and mid-range. I found that the microphone wasn’t muddy at all, and that it left the guitars sounding incredibly natural.
Again, the slight presence boost was able to add some air and excitement to the overall sound without making the performance sound lopsided or forced.
Drums
Again, the high max SPL makes the MTP W950 more than capable of recording drums. I might opt for something more traditional for kick drum, but I can easily see this mic being used as a knee, snare, hi-hat, or overhead mic.
Build quality
The overall design and build of the Lewitt MTP W950 is nothing to scoff at. It’s slightly heavier than your average handheld, and it feels incredibly solid.
One thing I particularly liked about the design was that the selector switches are hidden underneath the headcase basket. While this offers a pretty neat solution for sweaty hands that might accidentally switch one of them in the midst of a performance, I think it’s more to the benefit of the wireless capabilities.
That is to say that if you switch the capsule onto a wireless transmitter, the functionality of the microphone ultimately remains untouched.
Compared to other microphones
Thanks to its innovative design and versatility, the MTP W950 is sure to become a go-to choice for many of you looking for a quality live vocal microphone. But here are a few microphones to consider against it.
MTP W950 vs Sennheiser E 965
The E 965 is much more of a workhorse microphone than the W950, and it also provides much of the same features albeit with slight differences. The Sennheiser is cheaper at about $500, but it doesn’t offer the wireless compatibility that the Lewitt does.
MTP W950 vs Earthworks SR314
This microphone goes for about $700, and its performance is more or less on par with the W950. The main difference, however, is the amount of features that the Earthworks microphone has to offer, as it doesn’t feature the switchable polar patterns, pad, or low cut filter, or wireless capabilities that the W950 does.
All this being said, their performance is on par with one another, so the decision ultimately falls on whether you want the added versatility or if you’d rather get yourself a great sounding workhorse mic.
MTP W950 vs Neumann KMS 105
While the Neumann sounds great, it lacks the features and versatility that the W950 has to offer. I think the Neumann makes more sense if you’re only planning on recording in a studio, whereas the Lewitt makes more sense for live settings. However, you can’t go wrong with either mic.
Read the full Neumann KMS 105 review
Who is the Lewitt MTP W950 microphone best suited for?
The MTP W950 is best suited for anybody looking for a versatile handheld microphone, especially live performers.
Buy Lewitt MTP W950 at: SweetwaterAmazonVideo demo
Watch this video by my colleague Fabio, where he puts the Lewitt MTP W950 handheld condenser microphone to the test.
