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Telefunken M82 review: Versatile and solid kick mic

Since 2001, Telefunken has been manufacturing high-end microphones out of South Windsor, CT.

Not too long ago, the company released the M82, a large-diaphragm cardioid dynamic microphone designed for kick drums as well as broadcast vocals.

In this review, I’ll be taking a closer look at the M82’s overall performance in a variety of applications, as well as seeing how it stacks up against a few competing microphones.

Telefunken M82 with accessories
Unboxing the Telefunken M82 microphone | Image: Higher Hz

Final verdict on the Telefunken M82 4.0

The Telefunken M82 is a somewhat versatile and solid dynamic microphone. Although its primary function is to capture kick drums and bass, it offers a range of tonal options making it suitable for a variety of applications.

While it might not be my favorite microphone, I can’t necessarily speak against owning one outright, as I can see merit in some of its uses.

What I like

  • Natural-sounding kick.
  • Useful voicing switches.
  • Durable.

What I don’t like

  • Somewhat overpriced for what it is.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Why you should trust me

Brandon Schock, writer at Higher Hz

I’ve worked with a diverse spectrum of audio equipment over my decade in the field of audio production and engineering, both in studio environments and on live productions.

Working with names such as Shure, AKG, Neumann, and Telefunken, among many others, has lent me nuanced insights into the practical application of different microphones and what value they provide users ranging from novice to seasoned professionals.

Contents

Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.

Polar pattern and frequency response

The M82 has a frequency range of 25 Hz – 18 kHz, and delivers a fairly flat response from 40 Hz to 10 kHz. The microphone’s voicing can also be altered by using the Kick EQ and High Boost switches.

Telefunken M82 microphone
Telefunken M82 microphone | Image: Higher Hz

The Kick EQ switch notches frequencies around 350 Hz, which can help in situations where you find your kick sounding too “boxy” for your liking.

The High Boost, on the other hand, adds a presence peak around 2 kHz to help your beater attack, as well as adding air to vocals and bass guitars.

This all sounds well and good, but in practice, I found the results a little lackluster. The microphone sounds a bit dull without the switches engaged, and with, you have to choose between sounding too scooped or too top heavy.

Here’s a rundown of how this mic performs in different applications.

Vocals 3.0

I wouldn’t recommend this microphone for vocals. Most of the settings I found to be pretty unusable aside from the High Boost, which in turn made things sound a bit too nasal for my liking.

On the other hand, I don’t have a particularly deep voice. I could see it faring much better with a low baritone or bass vocalist than with my voice (I sit somewhere between a baritone and a tenor).

Guitar amps 3.0

I wouldn’t recommend this for electric guitar amps for the same reasons I wouldn’t recommend it for most vocalists.

The results sounded either too dull, too scooped, or too harsh in the upper registers. If I owned a baritone guitar I could see it working.

Bass amps 5.0

This is what the microphone was meant for. Authoritative, punchy, and the different voicings offered plenty of great-sounding bass tones. Incredibly well-defined and articulated sound.

Acoustic guitars 4.0

I found that the M82 did surprisingly well with acoustic guitars, specifically with the High Boost setting which I found opened up the sound rather nicely.

I wouldn’t suggest the other setting for this application though, as I was running into the same problems I had with vocals and electric guitars.

Drums 5.0

Seeing that the Telefunken M82 is, in fact, a kick drum mic, it should come as no surprise that it fared well in this application.

Without any of the voicing settings engaged, the sound was punchy and had a good amount of weight in the lower register.

Telefunken M82 on a microphone stand
Telefunken M82 on a microphone stand | Image: Higher Hz

Engaging the mid-range scoop did in fact cut out some boxiness, and inadvertently seemed to give even more weight to the low-end sustain while cleaning up the sound a bit.

The High Boost setting made the kick more suitable for a modern, rock aesthetic, which I could see being quite useful for a number of settings.

The microphone also did well capturing floor toms.

Build quality 5.0

The Telefunken M82 is incredibly durable, featuring a dual-layer metal grille and a matte-black finish.

The shell itself is quite rugged, and the microphone feels like it can handle a fair amount of abuse.

Compared to other microphones

While the Telefunken M82 is a great choice for recording drums as well as bass cabs, here are a few microphones to compare against it.

Telefunken M82 vs Shure Beta 52A

I’m a bit partial to the Beta 52A but can’t necessarily recommend it over the M82 or vice versa.

Both microphones are great and in a perfect world you’d have both in your arsenal for different musical settings and aesthetics.

Telefunken M82 vs Audix D6

I’m personally not the biggest fan of the D6, in so much that it’s the type of microphone that sounds too much like itself. Meaning that its character is incredibly distinct and hard to work around if you’re not loving it off the bat.

That said, the microphone does well in metal and hard-rock settings since it’s very slappy-sounding. I’d recommend going with the M82.

Telefunken M82 vs AKG D12 VR

The AKG is very low-end-heavy and processed-sounding, whereas the Telefunken comes off as more natural and open-sounding. Because of this, I’d also say that the M82 is the more versatile option as well.

Who is the Telefunken M82 best suited for?

The Telefunken M82 is perfect for anybody looking for a reliable and versatile kick and bass microphone, or anybody looking to flesh out their kick mic collection.

See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon

Video demo

Watch this video by my colleague Fabio, where he puts the Telefunken M82 dynamic microphone to the test.

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