Whether you’re just decorating your home or trying to reproduce a classic sound using the original equipment, vintage microphones have unique characteristics that modern mics just can’t match.
However, there are a lot of mics on the market, and narrowing them down can be challenging. Here are our top choices for different types of collectors.
QUICK LOOK: OUR 3 FAVORITES
CLASSIC RETRO DYNAMIC MICROPHONE
SHURE MV51 vintage style microphone
ZINGYOU BM-800 style kit microphone
1. Classic Retro Dynamic Vocal Microphone - For The Classic Look
classic retro dynamic microphone
The professional classic dynamic vocal mica has a built in pop shield / screen that eliminate or reduce the popping sound caused by the mechanical impact of fast moving air giving you a more clear audio.
This microphone is all about style, and it does that well. Suitable for both live performances and studio-based recording, it’s unidirectional and compatible with just about any modern stand.
It’s also available in several different colors to match your decor.
Tech Specs:
- Frequency Response: 30Hz to 15kHz
- Sensitivity: 50dB (+/- 3dB @ 1kHz)
- Output Impedance: 600 Ohm (+/- 15%)
- Exterior Material: Plastic
If you want to sing with this mic, note that it includes a built-in acoustic pop filter and a 16’ XLR cable. About the only thing, it doesn’t have is a stand, so you’ll need to buy one of those separately unless you want to place this directly on your desk.
You can easily find this mic online if you want one for your home.
2. Shure MV51 - Vintage Styling With Modern Features
shure mv51
Apple MFi (Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad) Certified for direct connection to any iOS device without the need for any additional adapters or connection kits.
This microphone is significantly more expensive than our first option, but it’s also a significantly better product overall. All-metal construction gives this a durable body, while five preset modes and automatic adjustments help tune this mic to whatever you’re doing.
Tech Specs:
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: -39 dBFS/Pa @ 1 kHz
- Output Impedance: N/A
- Exterior Material: Metal
Aside from its generally excellent mic quality, this classic-style microphone has a few other user-friendly features. A kickstand allows you to set it up on your desk, while USB, Lightning, and USB-C connections allow you to link it to practically any modern device.
This microphone works best for buyers looking for a versatile and practical mic, rather than one that’s purely about style.
3. ZINGYOU BM-800 - Best Microphone Kit For Style
zingyou bm-800
The Zingyou BM-800 features thin material diaphragm or “capsule” which vibrates and sends a signal to the output when engaged and is hit by sound waves, it provides an extremely accurate and highly detailed representation of what’s being played.
This vintage kit shouldn’t be as affordable as it is. Unlike the silver hues of the two choices above, this microphone has a black-and-gold style that matches dark decor well.
However, what really sets the style apart here is all the other items in the kit.
The BM-800 kit includes a suspension arm, a metal shock mount, a double-layer pop filter, an anti-wind foam cap, and desk clamps for easy mounting in different ranges. We like the look of this kit more than anything else on this list because a microphone alone can’t quite complete a vintage appearance in any area.
Tech Specs:
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: -34 dB +/- 2 dB
- Output Impedance: <=200 Ohms
- Exterior Material: Metal (varies by part)
The major thing to keep in mind about this kit is that you may need to get creative if you want to mount it anywhere besides your desk. For example, you may need to attach some wood to your wall or ceiling if you want to mount it somewhere higher.
This is a great product overall, especially in its appearance, but it can’t quite compare to a professional-level kit for audio quality. If you want to record audio at a professional level, consider getting a more expensive microphone instead.
For casual purposes, however, this mic more than suffices. Amazon has this mic if you’re interested in it.
4. MXL CR77 - Best Vintage Vocal Microphone
mxl cr77
This MX CR77 has internal windscreen and integrated shock mount. It elevates stage presence with distinct character.
Picking up vocals isn’t quite the same as picking up instruments. For one thing, instruments often bounce sound around the room a little more, and that can have interesting effects on your audio.
MXL’s CR77 offers a classic cylindrical aesthetic with an integrated shock mount that helps keep it in place. As with many vintage-style mics, the simple-looking exterior is a deliberate choice that provides an understated presence.
This is a mic that blends into your environment rather than calling attention to itself, and sometimes that’s all you need.
Tech Specs:
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 14 kHz
- Sensitivity: -52 dB re 1 V/pa
- Output Impedance: 400 Ohms
- Exterior Material: Metal
As a dynamic microphone, the CR77 works best when you can keep it up close to your mouth. It doesn’t come with its own stand, so you’ll need to buy that separately.
It’s also a little too expensive to buy for appearance alone, but the overall audio quality is great for recording voices.
The one other thing to keep in mind is that you may need a preamp to go with this mic. It can be a little on the quiet side, so for some performances, boosting it ahead of time will solve your problems. Check it out here.
5. FAO Schwarz 1003436 - Most Distinctive Microphone
fao schwarz 1003436
The vintage microphone is ultra-portable and can be taken with you anywhere! Rock out by yourself, impress your friends with your singing talent, or bring the microphone to parties For a full karaoke machine experience that you can set up in seconds!
At first glance, this microphone looks like it’s holding up a golden golf ball so you can practice your swing. However, on closer inspection, it reveals an extremely unusual design inspired by some of the most popular microphones in the past.
The microphone’s top is fully exposed, like a traditional modern dynamic microphone, which allows for outstanding sound collection in different environments. However, it also has a longer body with a grille covering it, and that’s perfect for vocal-oriented performances.
Tech Specs:
- Frequency Response: Unlisted
- Sensitivity: Unlisted
- Output Impedance: Unlisted
- Exterior Material: Metal and Plastic
Sorry about the lack of technical specifications here. This is more of a “fun” mic than a professional-quality mic, so the manufacturer doesn’t provide the same kind of information about how it works.
That said, those specs are basically irrelevant because, for vintage looks, this option is entirely about style.
While it’s inspired by old pill microphones, there aren’t many products on the market that can hold up to the vividly distinctive design here. From the bright gold at the top to the cylindrical body, and from there down to a gold-lined speaker at the base, this mic fits in anywhere you want to fill with glitz and glamour.
If you’re looking for a standout product, check it out here.
6. Antique 25mm Big Diaphragm Condenser Microphone - Best Circular Mic
antique vintage classic microphone
This vintage style outlooking, all metal body, xlr output connector, and the mic is not the best mic for professional studio Record Production use.
Most of the microphones on this list have one of the classic shapes: a simple microphone head or a longer, tube-shaped body. This antique-style microphone brings older radio sets to mind with a wide-body surrounding the smaller central mic and a lot of air between the rims that gives you space to grab and move it around.
This mic looks especially good when it’s hanging from the ceiling on a joint mount by your desk or chair. An all-metal body gives it added durability, while it picks up audio from surprisingly far away.
Tech Specs:
- Frequency Response: Unlisted
- Sensitivity: Unlisted
- Output Impedance: Unlisted
- Exterior Material: Metal
Like our previous choice, this mic sadly doesn’t offer robust technical specifications to buyers. It’s not quite suitable for upper-end recording performance, but since that’s not why it’s on this list, we aren’t concerned about that.
The main reason to consider this microphone is its look. With the large hoop style, it can match many types of interior decor better than tube-shaped mics.
It’s not the largest hoop microphone on the market, though, so don’t expect this option to fill a ton of space.
7. AKF Pro Audio Lyra - Best Boxy Shape
akf pro audio lyra
Easy setup and universal compatibility - intuitive, plug-and-play setup and operation with support for mac and pc, plus ios and android tablets and phones.
One thing most vintage microphones have in common is that they tend to be quite round. Whether it’s a full hoop or a tube curved into a smooth dome at the top, that roundness helps support their omnidirectional tendencies and the need to accept audio from any angle and have it sound similar.
This microphone is not like those. While it is slightly curved, this option has a far edgier, box-like shape that immediately distinguishes it from other microphones.
For vintage decoration, though, this shape can make all the difference in a room’s appearance. It looks best in areas where you have a lot of other boxy, classic-styled furniture and accessories.
Tech Specs:
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 129 dB SPL
- Output Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Exterior Material: Metal
A few other options make this a practical choice if you want to record audio with the mic. It offers both headphone outputs and compatibility with most modern computers, as well as your choice of an integrated desktop stand or a boom mic link.
It’s also suitable for 4K-compatible recordings in different environments, such as two people sitting across the table from each other.
Overall, this is a little different from most microphones currently on the market, but its distinctive exterior design works for decor in areas where most other mics don’t. That makes this mic worth taking a look at even if you think you’re going to buy another mic instead, just to see if it ends up being better.
Final Thoughts
As you can see from our list above, vintage microphones come in many different themes and styles to fit different decor and needs. Whether you’re looking for an attention-grabbing mic to serve as the centerpiece of your room or a subdued matte finish that completes a look, vintage microphones come in enough styles to meet any need.