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BidirectionalPeluso Microphone Lab R 14

MSRP: $759 Bidirectional Ribbon Microphone

Peluso Microphone Lab R 14

Description

The “R 14” is a ribbon mic made in the form factor of the Royer R-121, and it shares specs with the Alctron HRM-10, although it boasts two significant sonic upgrades to the Alctron unit:

  • The output transformer in the Peluso mic is a Cinemag. (Stock transformers in Chinese-made mics are often considered to be a weak point, and are typically the first component to be replaced by modders.)
  • The grille in the headbasket is a standard screen rather than the “Venetian-blind” style metal bar construction on the HRM-10 that likely causes sound-smearing reflections around the ribbon motor.

Henry Robinett

My first test pitted the R14 against the R-121 and R84 on two of my acoustics, both Taylors. One a Dreadnought 25th Anniversary — a beautiful guitar, but because it’s a Dreadnought, it tends to boom in the lower register. The other a 414CE — not the highest-end Taylor, but it gives a beautiful, crisp, rounded tone. Frankly I was blown away by the Peluso. All three mics sounded very similar in the upper mids. The R84 was a tad brighter in the top. The R14 was looser in the lower end and I’d say much warmer than either of the other mics. Bigger bottom.

The mic ships with a soft pouch, a padded wood box, and a suspension shock mount.

The Peluso Microphone Lab R 14 is also known as: R14.

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
  • Bidirectional (30 - 16,000 Hz)
Ribbon Construction Impedance Max SPL
200 Ohms (Low (50-1000 Ohms)) 149 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
496g (17.50oz) 176mm (6.93'') 36mm (1.42'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications

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