AKG Blue Line CK93 - Real Deal or Toy?

Chadfish

Chadfish

Veteran
Hello party people!

So I've done some searching but I'm not satisfied with the amount of info I can find about the AKG Blue Line SE300B Power Module and CK93 Hypercardioid Capsule. I have my tax money and I'd like to get a nice hyper that doesn't break the bank. The CK93 is what I'm leaning toward, but I want any other suggestions now before I invest. The mic will be used on a boom mostly, and occasionally on the camera for indoor use when I need to grab the camera quickly with no crew. I'm using a Rode NTG-3 shotgun from the DVStore now with much pleasure, but I want an awesome hyper to.

At the moment I have 2 Rode NT3 hypers, and I think they sound great. They are true condenser mics with a nice, detailed sound, full spectrum 20-20 etc, - however they are heavy and bulky due to the 9v battery inside. So I'm looking to upgrade to a better sounding hyper that possibly falls in to the 500.00 range, but if it takes more than that so be it. I have heard the odd comment about the CK93, but I have not seen a serious review. I know the CK93 is not a true condenser, but an electret. I don't know if that's a big deal, but traditionally a true condenser is preferred.

So lets have it experts! Industry standard? Indi WonderBargans? Sleeper champions? What 'cha got for me?

Thanks

Chad
 
Alan H. Chang put up a few comparison notes on some of the various hypercardioids:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=1882007&postcount=33

If you want industry standard, buy Schoeps but be prepared to pay a couple grand.

The AKG CK93 and the Audio Technica 4053b both seem to be the mid-level contenders for hypers.

Indy wonderbargains: I will say that the Oktava comes up time and time again, and is half your budget.
 
The audix scx-1 hc is around $380. at b and h (last time I checked) might be one to consider also. I think one of the forum members was planning to use it with his schoeps.
 
OH I'm not against the Octiva C2V, I just want something a little more full sounding, and with less handling noise. I'm not trying to get the cheapest mic I can find. Just more bang for the buck. I threw up that last shootout to have at least an example of the CK93. I thought it sounded good.

The Audix SCX1-HC looks interesting, but I have no reference of it. The AT4053 looks kind of cool too, but again I know nothing of it.

Right now these 3 are my contenders:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ioid_Condenser_Microphone.html#specifications

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...rdioid_Microphone_Capsule.html#specifications

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/242661-REG/Audix_SCX1_HC_SCX1_HC_Microphone.html

I'd like to hear a shootout with those...

Still as I read more and more the CK93 is getting lots of great comments, though it's just not "out there" in the world, at least in America, very much so it seems.
 
I have that mic and it's been great for indoor boom work. I have limited experience with other hyper mics but I have been most pleased.
 
Have you thought about a used mkh50? $800ish used (if you can find one. 1200. new)
It would hold its value pretty well. They used it for almost all of No country for old men if I remember right. Its a bit of a reach on your price parameters, but you could easily keep it in your kit for a very long time.
 
lambert said:
Have you thought about a used mkh50? $800ish used (if you can find one. 1200. new)
It would hold its value pretty well. They used it for almost all of No country for old men if I remember right. Its a bit of a reach on your price parameters, but you could easily keep it in your kit for a very long time.
Click to expand...

Those do look nice. I don't see any used ones. Maybe, but really I'm trying to keep is real. I could get 2 CK93s for that and have some nice coverage for other things like plays or guitars. Gotta think.... I've got to concentrate-concentrate-concentrate.... Echo? Echo? Echo?.... Sorry. Reference from the movie "Airplane".
 
I'm bad. Oh Mbho has some hypers that are in that range. Atlas out of florida has them. Made in germany, the guy that designs runs it used to work with schoeps 20-30 years ago. Suppose to be somewhere in between schoeps and ck93.
 
Of the mics you listed... if they were nearly the same price... I'd have to go with the 4053b.

While the AKG is decent... it's basically a one-trick pony... you won't be turning that into a cardioid or short shotgun because there are better options out there in those categories... and the 4053b is probably a better hyper choice... so? See my point? I'd probably have to go with the 4053b in this price-range.
 
Chadfish-I agree about the Audix not getting much sparks/info. But everyone I have contacted that owns it has said good things about it. I wish I could hear it as well or test it myself. But I have talked to sound guys with 30+ years of experience that have this mics as well as others to. So I'm kind of in your boat right now. Hard decision for me. Im looking at the AKG or Audix.


Nicole
 
Sorry, just checked mbho prices, little higher than I thought. 750 for a hyper. Not in your range.
 
The More I think of it, the more the AT4053b sounds like a good choice. Ty Ford likes that mic too, as well as Matt here. Also AT has a good rep with me. I have a sweet pair of AT4033a mics that are great. And if the AKG mic's other capsules aren't so hot, then I'm not getting the best value - especially if the 4053b's hyper cap sounds better head to head.

Whatever I do get I'll put it up against the Rode NT3 I use now. I have to say for under 300.00 the NT3 sounds great IMO.
 
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