Product Overview

Smooth Analog Linear Response Meets Timeless Artisan Wood Aesthetics

While many modern performance microphones are engineered with an aggressive high-end presence boost, some sound sources require a smoother, more balanced presentation. The Telefunken M81 Cherry addresses this exact acoustic need, housing the highly linear, body-focused electronics of Telefunken's Dynamic Series inside a gorgeous, deep-grained Cherry patterned housing. This artisan wood finish gives the microphone a warm, organic visual style that looks outstanding under stage lights and perfectly complements premium studio configurations.

Beneath its rugged, custom shop finish, the M81 Cherry is engineered to serve as an acoustic problem solver. If your source has a naturally bright or harsh character—whether it is a sibilant vocalist, a piercing snare drum, or an aggressive guitar amplifier cabinet—the M81 steps in to tame the top end. It retains the immense headroom and robust low-frequency foundation of a world-class moving coil mic, trading sharp high-mid presence for a smooth, flat, "mix-ready" frequency spectrum.

Product Description

Tailored Frequency Curve and Custom American Transformer Core:

The defining characteristic of the M81 Cherry is its flat, linear frequency tuning. It features an ultra-thin, low-mass Mylar diaphragm capsule designed to respond instantly to transient notes. However, unlike microphones that add an artificial treble peak, the M81 steps back to deliver a controlled top-end response. It rolls off smoothly above 15 kHz, making it the perfect tool for softening digital sibilance or high-frequency acoustic harshness.

To inject warmth, authority, and professional weight into your signal path, Telefunken includes a custom-wound AMI/TAB-Funkenwerk step-up impedance transformer inside the handle. Made and calibrated in the USA, this premium audio component adds subtle analog saturation, allowing the lower-mid frequencies to sound dense, rich, and well-supported. It guarantees that the audio retains structural integrity and resists RF interference across long cable runs.

Aggressive Supercardioid Isolation and Proximity Suppression:

The M81 Cherry excels at navigating complex acoustic spaces. Its highly directional Supercardioid polar pattern focuses directly on the source, creating a narrow pickup angle that rejects background stage bleed, loud drum monitors, and surrounding multi-instrument spill. This makes it an invaluable tool for small live tracking rooms or dense concert stages where absolute acoustic isolation is a priority.

The internal acoustic ports of the capsule are carefully balanced to control the proximity effect. When placed close to a source—such as right up against a guitar grille cloth or held closely by a vocalist—the M81 prevents the boomy, muddy lower-bass accumulation that can ruin a mix. Instead, it maintains low-frequency clarity, ensuring the source sounds natural, intimate, and perfectly balanced from the moment you hit record.

Key Features

• EXOTIC CHERRY WOODGRAIN FINISH: Custom-shop Cherry patterned housing paired with a high-durability chrome grille for a warm, organic visual identity.

• SMOOTH, LINEAR TOP-END: Specifically voiced to tame harsh frequencies, sibilant vocals, piercing cymbals, and bright brass instruments.

• LOW-MASS DIAPHRAGM CAPSULE: Ultra-thin 25 mm membrane offers lightning-fast transient response without adding artificial mid-range congestion.

• AMERICAN-MADE TRANS-ENGINE: Houses a custom-wound AMI/TAB-Funkenwerk transformer for unmatched analog depth, warmth, and high headroom.

• SHARP SUPERCARDIOID ISOLATION: Directional pickup pattern focuses strictly on the sound source while blocking out off-axis background stage bleed.

• BALANCED PROXIMITY DESIGN: Intelligently calibrated capsule prevents low-bass muddiness, keeping close-up vocals and cabinets clean and defined.

• ROBUST 135 dB SPL PROTECTION: Effortlessly captures high sound pressure sources like heavy snare hits and roaring guitar stacks without clipping.

• HAND-CALIBRATED IN THE USA: Proudly engineered, hand-assembled, and quality-tested at Telefunken’s South Windsor, Connecticut facility.

Technical Specifications

What’s Included in the Box

• 1 x Telefunken M81 Premium Dynamic Handheld Microphone (Cherry Finish Edition)

• 1 x Telefunken M780 Heavy-Duty Plastic Microphone Stand Clip Mount

• 1 x ZB81 Dedicated Leatherette Zippered Storage Bag Pouch

• 1 x Official Telefunken Elektroakustik Limited Warranty & Product Guide