R/E/P Community

R/E/P => Klaus Heyne's Mic Lab => Topic started by: klaus on November 27, 2018, 04:18:35 PM

Title: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: klaus on November 27, 2018, 04:18:35 PM
Lately sellers on eBay, Reverb, and other sites, sell "Neumann K47" that are actually cardioid-only TLM49 capsules with only one usable side (the rear diaphragm serves just as mechanical damping, but is not sputtered with conductive gold).

Sellers can offer these "K47"- named capsules for considerably less than a genuine K47 and still make a nice profit. What is particularly frustrating: when confronted, sellers will (rightfully?) refer to Neumann's web site, where the capsule is indeed claimed to be the "Same capsule design as the legendary U 47 and M 49".

Again: these capsules can NOT be used in multi-pattern mics like U47, U48, and M149. When in doubt, get a picture of both sides! (Picture of TLM49 capsule's rear side attached.)
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: Avgatzeblouz on November 30, 2018, 12:55:34 PM
Hi Klaus, this could explain the model K49fet (#514753): Sennheiser told me about 2 years ago that it was in the same price range as the K47fet.
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: klaus on November 30, 2018, 04:45:22 PM
Price range, maybe, but not part number: K47fet capsule = 053223.

Unlike the K49fet capsule, I have not seen a K47fet capsule without sputtering on the rear. But corners are cut every day everywhere....
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: Avgatzeblouz on December 15, 2018, 09:38:36 AM
Price range, maybe, but not part number: K47fet capsule = 053223.

Unlike the K49fet capsule, I have not seen a K47fet capsule without sputtering on the rear. But corners are cut every day everywhere....

I guess they are sonically the same as the K47-fet or K49 when used in cardio mode ?
EDIT : found on this very forum, that Neumann confirmed this to Klaus.
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: mikezietsman on December 19, 2018, 04:27:11 PM
It is something that has been bothering me slightly for a while,
Is it possible to use two of these capsules to make one useable (and functionally identical) k49/k47 type capsule?

From memory there are four longer screws in each k47 type capsule which connect the two halves of the backplate... does undoing those screws de-tension anything? Is it possible to put the halves back together afterwards?



Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: klaus on December 19, 2018, 09:01:09 PM
The K67 does have two backplate halves screwed and held together with four screws. The K47 has one backplate.

Even if you had two K49 capsules, you cannot remove the sides with the conductive diaphragm. It will fall apart as soon as you unscrew the 12 diaphragm mounting screws.
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: mikezietsman on December 20, 2018, 03:04:31 AM
 :-X

Getting my capsules confused

(hopefully not an unforgivable sin around these parts)
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: aremos on February 06, 2019, 09:35:47 PM
So, this is the one used in the 47Fet?
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: klaus on February 07, 2019, 12:42:09 AM
By "this' you mean....?
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: afterlifestudios on March 25, 2019, 09:00:02 PM
I’m looking to buy a new k47 k49 from Neumann for a tube u47.  I’m still unclear about the part numbers and the model numbers in relation to:
1. which ones have diaphragms on both sides for multipattern use?
2. which ones have been “selected” for best front to back matching?

Is there a chart/list somewhere?

I’ve been offered (in Canada) from Sennheiser:
K47 part no. 053292
Or K49 part no. 053291
No price difference.

Would either of the fet versions (k47fet, k49fet fit my purposes?
Are they routinely less expensive?

Or finally, should I avoid the current crop, and rather chase one down from some earlier “glory days” of k47/49 capsule making?
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: klaus on March 26, 2019, 04:57:16 AM
K47, K49, K47fet capsules are ok to use in a U47. The rest has either no rear center lead out wiring or no conductive sputtering on the rear diaphragm.
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: Avgatzeblouz on March 26, 2019, 10:16:48 AM
Here is the info I gathered a few years back as I've been through the same process. I hope the parts number did not change :

053291 – K49 : dual-sided, both wires installed.
053223 -  K47fet : dual-sided, one wire installed.
514753 - K49FET  : one-sided.

Good luck !
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: uwe ret on March 26, 2019, 08:19:45 PM
053291 - K49      : dual-sided, (dual wires)  - currently used in M149 Tube
053223 - K47fet  : dual-sided, (single wire) - currently used in M147 Tube and U47 fet
514753 - K49fet  : one-sided, (single wire) - currently used in TLM149
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: afterlifestudios on March 26, 2019, 08:36:38 PM
Thanks Uwe.  So is this k47 053282 which I was offered by Sennheiser Canada some old stock? (Does Neumann only make k49 now?)   Any thoughts as to which is preferable - since I seem to have a choice?
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: uwe ret on March 27, 2019, 02:50:57 PM
Part # 053282 does not show up in the Sennheiser/Neumann data base of part listings for any capsule. It actually is the part # for an obsolete Cheese head screw KB30x6.    
 
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: afterlifestudios on March 27, 2019, 06:59:03 PM
Whoops! Typo. It’s 053292 they offered...  Sorry.
Title: Re: Warning: Not All "K47" Capsules Are K47!
Post by: uwe ret on March 28, 2019, 12:08:02 AM
053292 is the correct order number for the K47 capsule (not used in any current microphone model, replacement part for vintage Neumann models)