JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.
Stock up on studio essentials before your next session. Explore top selling gear from the best brands.
Checkout using your account
This form is protected by reCAPTCHA - the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Checkout as a new customer
Creating an account has many benefits:
With a life spanning nine different decades and counting, the U47 has become an enduring icon of the recording industry. The legendary microphone continues to inspire generations of creators, whether they actually used it in the studio during the golden era or have only encountered an emulation in a virtual mic locker.
Part of the U47’s lasting appeal in the modern studio has been the incredible number of exceptional reproductions made over the years. The microphone’s original creators, Neumann and TELEFUNKEN, still produce different variations of the mic today, alongside several other companies offering their own takes on this classic.
In this blog, we’ll break down some of our favorite U47 reproductions, highlight each mic’s strengths, and point out their unique features. Read on to discover outstanding offerings from Telefunken and Neumann, along with favorites from FLEA, Heiserman, Vintage King, and more.
That diamond shaped logo, the clean design, the mid-forward sound. What else would expect from one of the half of the parental unit of the U47? The TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik recreation stays remarkably faithful to the microphone's original design. It features the historically accurate BV8 output transformer and the classic M7 capsule, delivering the same rich, vibrant tone that has solidified the U47’s legendary status in the recording world.
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional Capsule: Telefunken M7 Tube: Telefunken VF14K Transformer: Telefunken BV8
Vintage King's take on the U47 is the first-ever reproduction of the exceptionally rare “large badge” version of the microphone, originally manufactured between 1949 and 1950. With its prominent nickel emblem and carefully selected period-correct components, this microphone offers an authentic recreation of both the aesthetic and sonic character of the earliest U47s.
What sets the first few hundred U47s apart from later versions are two defining features: a bold, diamond-shaped badge and the inclusion of the GN107 transformer, a design element carried over from Neumann’s CMV-5 bottle mic. These early models are considered the most sought-after U47s ever built, prized by engineers and artists for their remarkable tonal depth, clarity, and dimensional presence.
Developed in close collaboration with Andreas Grosser’s Elektronik Service and inspired by original Neumann documentation, the Vintage King Large Badge U47 incorporates a VF14ER tube designed by Grosser, a Siegfried Thiersch Mylar M7 capsule, and a custom HAUFE GN107 transformer. Watch our shootout below to hear it go head-to-head with an original large badge U47.
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional Capsule: Siegfried Thiersch M7 Tube: VF14ER Transformer: HAUFE GN107
Wunder Audio’s CM7 S may not explicitly have “47” in its name, but one look at this tube condenser microphone makes its inspiration clear. With its classic body shape and vintage-style grille, the CM7 S echoes the design of a true studio icon. Inside, it is built for serious sonic character, featuring a Swiss-milled brass M7 capsule, a NOS Telefunken EF14 tube, and a transformer made from original-spec vintage Mu-Metal, faithfully wound to match early designs. The end result is a mic that’s smooth as butter, handling both lows and highs exceptionally well.
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni-Directional Capsule: Siegfried Thiersch M7 Tube: NOS Telefunken EF14 Transformer: AMI/Tab-Funkerwerk BV8
The FLEA47 from FLEA Microphones is a meticulously crafted homage, built to deliver classic tone with modern reliability. Featuring a faithful recreation of the original BV8 transformer—including the exact alloy blend used in the laminates—the microphone offers the warmth, depth, and versatility that made the original a studio essential.
FLEA offers several versions of the FLEA47, giving you the option to choose the level of vintage accuracy that best suits your needs. The standard model includes an F7 capsule (inspired by the M7) and FLEA’s own EF12 tube recreation. For those seeking even more authenticity, there’s a version with an upgraded Telefunken EF12 tube, as well as one that pairs the Telefunken EF12 tube with FLEA's F47 capsule—an exact replica of the classic brass ring K47 capsule.
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni-Directional Capsule: FLEA F7 or F47 Tube: FLEA EF12 or Telefunken EF12 Transformer: FLEA BV8
The Heiserman H47tube is a premium, handmade microphone crafted with unwavering attention to detail, designed to deliver a rich and balanced tone that honors the U47 tradition while meeting modern demands. This microphone features everything from an integrated polar pattern switch to a precisely engineered headbasket mesh, blending classic aesthetics with contemporary build quality to create a stunning tube mic.
Equipped with the versatile HK47 capsule (or M7 if you prefer), the H47tube provides a tone that suits both vintage-inspired and modern productions. Its carefully designed circuit includes top-tier components like a custom USA-made BV08 transformer, NOS EF800 series tube, and rare vintage capacitors and resistors, ensuring superior sonic performance without compromise.
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional Capsule: HK47 or M7 Tube: NOS Telefunken EF800 Transformer: Custom-Made BV08
The Beesneez Tribute 1 stands out among U47-inspired microphones as a truly artisan crafted homage that bridges vintage design with modern versatility. Hand built in Australia, the Tribute 1 reflects Beesneez’s deep reverence for the mic's lineage, incorporating a Beesneez-made M7 capsule, a classic Telefunken EF12 tube, and a custom BV08 transformer, all housed in a meticulously finished body. What sets it apart is its nine switchable polar patterns, offering far more flexibility while preserving the warmth, intimacy, and dimensionality that made the U47 a studio legend. It is a serious contender for engineers and artists seeking a soulful, nuanced sound without compromise.
Polar Pattern: Nine - Switchable from omnidirectional to bi-directional Capsule: BeesNeez M7 Tube: Telefunken EF12 Transformer: BeesNeez BV-08
The Pearlman TM-47 is another faithful nod to the classic U47, channeling the vintage vibe of the 1950s and ’60s both visually and sonically. At its heart is the Pearlman K47-style capsule, handcrafted in Southern California, paired with either a 6SJ7 or 6AC7 tube in a hand-wired, point-to-point circuit design. The microphone incorporates a paper-in-oil output capacitor and the Pearlman BV8-type output transformer, combining carefully selected components that deliver warm, rich tones true to the original.
Polar Pattern: Cardioid Capsule: Pearlman K47 Tube: 6SJ7 or 6AC7 Transformer: Pearlman BV8
Based out of New York, Golden Age makes affordable reproductions of classic microphones as well as legendary preamps, compressors, and EQs. The GA-47 MKII is hand-built in small batches, featuring a brass body, iron grille, and a capsule that blends vintage K47 warmth with a touch of modern clarity. Featuring a NOS Telefunken EF-800 series tube and a replica BV8 transformer, it delivers a sweet, versatile sound suited for a wide range of recording tasks beyond vocals.
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omnidirectional Capsule: N/A Tube: NOS Telefunken EF_800 Transformer: GA BV8
For those seeking U47 vibes without the hefty price tag, the TF47 offers a compelling alternative from TELEFUNKEN. Priced under $2,000, the TF47 captures the spirit of the classic German sound, drawing inspiration from legendary microphones like the U47 and M49. With its deep low end and pronounced midrange, it adds a sense of weight and presence to nearly any source, especially vocals, drums, and guitars.
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8 Capsule: K47 Tube: NOS Phillips/Raytheon 5840W Transformer: Telefunken BV8
Last but not least on our list of U47-style tube condenser microphones is the Warm Audio WA-47. While it’s one of the more affordable options on this list, the WA-47 still delivers impressive warmth and character for the price. Inside, it features a custom-wound AMI/TAB-Funkenwerk BV8 and a hand-selected Slovak Republic JJ 5751 vacuum tube that help capture a vintage-inspired sound without the high price tag.
Polar Pattern: Nine - Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Figure-8, and six mixed patterns Capsule: WA-47-B-80V Tube: Slovak Republic JJ 5751 Transformer: AMI/TAB-Funkenwerk BV8
While Neumann no longer produces a modern reproduction of the original tube U47, it does offer a collector’s edition of the U47 FET. This microphone features FET 80 circuitry, a K 47 dual large-diaphragm capsule, a selectable low-cut filter, and a switchable -10 dB pad. Compared to the tube U47, the U47 FET offers a more neutral sonic character with less harmonic coloration, making it a great option when clarity and punch are the priority. It delivers a fast, immediate response with excellent transient handling and is especially well-suited for kick drum. It’s an ideal choice for capturing sources that produce high sound pressure levels.
Polar Pattern: Cardioid Capsule: K47 Circuitry: FET 80 Transformer: N/A
Honorable U47 FET Mentions: FLEA FLEA47 SUPERFET ($2,675), Wunder Audio CM7 FET S ($2,450), Heiserman Audio H47 FET ($1,499), United Studio Technologies UT FET 47 ($899), and Warm Audio WA-47F ($599)
* Required Fields
exclamation-circle
