AKG Blue Line CK93 - Real Deal or Toy?

misscc803 said:
So your going with the AT4053b? I really want to hear audio samples of the Audix.

Nicole
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I probably will. Though the Audix is 130.00 less, there is nothing that comes with it according to B&H. Also the Audix has a freq of 40Hz to 20kHz, where the AT4053b is a full 20Hz to 20kHz AND it has a 80Hz roll-off AND a higher Maximum Input Sound Level, 10db pad AND a wind screen, case, mic clip. With all that for 130.00 more, I'll take it.

What I don't know is what it means that the transducer is: "Externally Polarized (DC Bias) Capacitor", rather than the usual "Condenser". Anyone?
 
Chad,

The 4053b isn't light, and has very very solid feel. If you want to use it for long booming, you might want to start working out now. When I purchased the 4053b recently, I wanted an upgrade from the Oktava without busting the bank for a Schoeps. At $499 I thought it was a good improvement and AT has a good reputation for build quality. However, my jazz musician-producer brother thinks the NT3 is also an improvement over the Okatava.

If you like, I'll email my original AIF files comparing the Oktava to the 4053b from a few weeks ago. The samples posted here were compressed, but even those had the 4053b whipping the Oktava by some margin, being much more full on the low end.
Grant
 
Find the thread interesting since we use the blue line 300b's with the 93 hyper caps, 97 caps as wired lavs and plant mics, and the 98 as a short shotgun. While none are the top of the game by any stretch, they've all been solid performers for us and we really like the modularity.

While no one can dispute the price/performance of the Octava, frankly the 93 sounds better - and its WAY more forgiving, especially if you're not locked down.
Almost all of our interiors use a 93 in a K-Tek mount inside a BBG on a pole

Matt's endorsement of the 4053 has frankly got us thinking, but the short term reality is what we've got is giving us far better dialogue than we're hearing on a lot of the current crop of TV drama series (OK, a VERY low bar, I admit - but they're getting REALLY BAD lately - or is it just me??).
 
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misscc803 said:

I own the Rode NTG-3 and the 4053b is lighter than my NTG-3. So can't be to much to hold it up. He has the Rode NT3 which way heavier than the NTG-3 and the 4030b.

Nicole
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Oktava = 2.7oz
4053b = 4.8oz
NTG-3 = 5.7oz

Measured off my postal scale. Actually what I meant was in comparison to the Oktava.

Grant
 
Just to add to the mix, there's another AKG hyper offering above the SE300/CK93 combo and that's from their ULS Series, the C480B/CK63 combo. About $1100 from B&H.
 
Steve House said:
Just to add to the mix, there's another AKG hyper offering above the SE300/CK93 combo and that's from their ULS Series, the C480B/CK63 combo. About $1100 from B&H.
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I've got this mic. While I really like the sound of it, I no longer recommend it. If AKG wants to step up and give mine a thorough inspection to see why it's become unreliable in humidity (and random environments) I may go back to bragging up AKG, but for now it's frustrating that I sometimes get a pop or "pff" in a recording when using this mic, and therefor leave it at home for anything other then personal projects.

What's a real bummer is that I actually bought the FULL LINE of ULS caps... so I've got roughly $2K-$2.5K worth of this potential problem.

So... in case anybody wonders why I USED to be so gung-ho on AKG, but don't say so much about it anymore... well... there's your answer. A high-quality microphone should last you 10 years, if not a lifetime. While I love the sound of my AKG mics... they haven't proven to be even moderately long-term reliable.

Fortunately I've got a lot of mics... so I'm never dependent on any of them. Actually, the Oktava has been one of the most reliable mics I've used... taking abuse and tough conditions with no problems ever.

The ck93 is the best cap of the BlueLine... I'd put it up against pretty much any other hyper... but I expect the 4053b will edge it out in a blind A/B listening comparison. If somebody can get these two mics together and do an A/B test... you shouldn't reveal which mic is which... In fact, I think I'll do all my tests that way from now on... revealing the answer in the comments or at the end of the video. A hyper is about a controlled SMALL bubble of pickup... you want uncolored off-axis sound... so that one mic can cover a semi-broad area (like splitting the two front seats of a car to get two actors... or moving the boom to cover two actors with one mic over a couch, etc.) So the best test of a hyper will be speaking on and off axis... including a reveal of the point where the DESIRED off-axis rejection becomes effective.

Also... there's only .5 oz difference in ck93 w/ 300b... vs. 4053b... so for all practical purposes... equal weight with better specs in the 4053b... at nearly the same cost.

Back to the ck93... I do think that the ck93 is a good mic... and hopefully the bayonet mounting system is better for overall durability of the mic... or maybe I just got unlucky with the particular 480b in my ULS kit... but for as long as I have about $2.5K in mics that I don't trust... I just can't endorse that brand choice.
 
The CK93 is not quite as hot as the Octava but it is noticeably warmer/fuller sounding. I once used the CK93 boomed outdoors in a pinch when my AT4073 was picking up a speed boat about a half mile away and was pleasantly surprised by the results I got. The dialog was just there-- rich and full. The Octava used to be a great deal when it was $175 from Soundroom with the dvxuser discount but since the price increase over the last couple of years, not sure it is such a good deal anymore. I know Ty Ford had briefly spoken well of the Audix but would really like to see more info on that. Since the price difference now between the Audix and the AKG is not significant it would be nice to see/hear a blind demo between the 4053b, SCX1 and CK93, since they are all (i guess) what you would consider mid-level hypers.
**Edit: See Alan Chang's comments in post #33 regarding the SCX1, 4053a and CK93-- here.
As an aside, Alto Music, NY has been very competitive with B&H in the past beating them out in price. Don't know if that is still the case though---haven't purchased from them in a year.
 
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Thanks for all the comments people - keep them up. For me - I was really leaning toward the CK93. It looked cool and small, and does indeed get good comments from people who own it. However, I live in Humboldt County Ca on the coast and it is quite wet here. If the CK93 is indeed susceptible to moisture then I'm not interested. Also if the other caps aren't "all that" then the modular benefits are not there. I'm still going to do more research, but I'm strongly leaning toward the AT4053b, which by the way should sound different than the 4053a if the freq chart is accurate. I'm even toying with getting a matched pair for use in music recording, but I don't know.
 
Chadfish said:
Thanks for all the comments people - keep them up. For me - I was really leaning toward the CK93. It looked cool and small, and does indeed get good comments from people who own it. However, I live in Humboldt County Ca on the coast and it is quite wet here. If the CK93 is indeed susceptible to moisture then I'm not interested. Also if the other caps aren't "all that" then the modular benefits are not there. I'm still going to do more research, but I'm strongly leaning toward the AT4053b, which by the way should sound different than the 4053a if the freq chart is accurate. I'm even toying with getting a matched pair for use in music recording, but I don't know.
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All condensor microphones are more or less susceptible to moisture. It's really just a matter of degree.
 
I wanted to chime in on this thread, although it has been pretty well covered. I have an AKG blueline with the CK 93 cap and the Audix SX one as back up mics. I found the audix had a higher noise floor and higher handling noise than the AKG. As an inexpensive mic I'd go with the AKG; but neither stack up to my schoeps.
Jon
 
Thanks for the information Jon. I have heard great things about the Audix and I hear the handling noise was way better than the Oktava but if you could ever do a sample recording with each one that would be awesome.

Nicole
 
I've just received my AT4053b from B&H. I have not tested it yet, but I will soon do a shootout against the Rode NT3.

I am surprised how small this mic is! It's 1/3 the weight of the NT3 too. It comes in a nicely padded vinyl box with a snap to keep it closed, and cut-outs for other caps if I get more.


More later after I get some time to play...
 
I am uploading another shootout between the AT4053b and the NT3 that I shot in a different room. In the same video I did a shootout between the NTG-3 and NTG-2, as well as a quick comparison between all of them just to show how all 4 sound indoors. I'll post that link later.
 
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