Unveiling the B67-269: A Faithful U67 Clone with Exceptional Craftsmanship
Microphones are defined by three crucial elements that give them their unique character: the capsule, circuitry, and impedance conversion. The interplay between these components allows designers to fine-tune the microphone's sound, adding or subtracting frequencies to achieve the desired tonal quality. The B67-269 exemplifies this meticulous design approach, offering a faithful and innovative take on the legendary U67 microphone.
Our Capsule: The BeesNeez K6
At the heart of the B67-269 lies the BeesNeez K6 capsule, a vital component that accounts for over 80% of the microphone's overall sound. Handcrafted in-house by our team for more than 15 years, this capsule has been a cornerstone of both our own microphone models—The Mahalia, The Shelise, and The Isobel—and those produced by third-party manufacturers.
The K6 capsule is a recreation of the iconic K67 capsule used in the renowned Neumann U67 microphone. Known for its lush, warm sound, the K67 capsule has been revered in studios worldwide, and we have meticulously replicated its characteristics to ensure the B67-269 stays true to its roots.
Our Tube: The EF86 Redefined
The B67-269 employs the legendary EF86 tube, celebrated for its low noise and exceptional audio amplification capabilities. Unlike many other tubes designed for general-purpose use, the EF86 was engineered specifically for audio frequencies. This unique design makes it a perfect fit for high-fidelity microphones like the U67.
In our pursuit of perfection, we uncovered a remarkable tube variant developed by Brimar and Mullard in the post-war 1940s. This tube was designed to minimize self-noise while adhering to the original EF86 specifications. What sets it apart is a design modification where the tube’s grid (which receives soundwaves) exits through the head instead of the base, reducing interference from the heating element—a feature also found in the prestigious AC701K vacuum tube.
Unfortunately, despite its technical advantages, this variant never gained widespread use due to the manufacturing changes required by product makers. After extensive research and testing, we secured the remaining stock of these rare tubes, ensuring the B67-269 will benefit from this exceptional component for years to come.
This discovery is a game changer, as vintage EF86 tubes have become increasingly scarce. Many of the modern alternatives fail to meet the stringent performance standards needed for professional microphones. Our exclusive Brimar/Mullard EF86 variant stands head and shoulders above the rest, delivering an unmatched sound quality that is perfect for the B67-269.
Our Transformer: Built for Sonic Precision
A key innovation in the B67-269 is the use of a toroidal transformer, a feature that contributed significantly to the success of our B87i C microphone. The toroidal transformer offers numerous benefits, including excellent impedance conversion and common mode rejection, which are critical for maintaining balanced, high-fidelity audio signals.
The original U67 featured a BV12 UI30 core transformer with a unique third winding, which was integral to the microphone’s negative feedback filter network. This design allowed for intricate sound shaping, a hallmark of the U67’s distinctive character. Many clone manufacturers skip this complex tertiary winding, opting for simpler circuitry, but in the B67-269, we have faithfully included it to preserve the true sonic essence of the original U67.
Our Circuit: True to the U67 Legacy
In most microphones, the circuitry only contributes a small percentage to the overall sound profile. While this holds true to some extent for the U67, the design of its circuit plays a crucial role in guiding the audio signal through various feedback loops and filter components. The B67-269 mirrors this intricate design, ensuring all original filters and feedback elements are in place to deliver the authentic U67 sound.
For added flexibility, the B67-269 features multiple user-configurable options, including a Broadcast filter, High-pass filter, and Pad switch. Additionally, the microphone offers nine selectable polar patterns, ranging from Omni to Cardioid and Figure 8, making it versatile enough for a wide range of recording scenarios.
Why U67 Clones Are Rare
Despite the enduring popularity of the U67, relatively few accurate clones exist on the market today. Some believe this is because similar microphones are still being manufactured, but in reality, it’s more likely due to the complexity of recreating the original U67’s circuitry and sound. Any deviation from the original design can compromise the microphone’s performance, which is why we’ve gone to great lengths to ensure every element of the B67-269 stays true to its predecessor.
A Microphone Built for the Future
With the B67-269, we’re proud to offer a microphone that not only honors the U67’s legacy but also brings new life to its iconic sound. From our handcrafted K6 capsule to the Brimar/Mullard EF86 tube and our toroidal transformer, every component has been carefully selected to create a microphone that is as faithful as possible to the original, while also benefiting from modern advancements.
