Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $885
Standard/Professional
$499
$1500+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Beyerdynamic M160". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Beyerdynamic M160 ribbon microphone is a gem in the realm of studio recording gear. This indispensable tool, widely recognized for its usage on legendary recordings by Jimi Hendrix and John Bonham, carries a reputation of precision and versatility. Featuring a hypercardioid pattern, the M160 acts like a sonic scalpel, enabling you to distance the mic from your source while minimizing unwanted bleed from surrounding noise. Pair it with the M130 for a Mid-Side (M/S) stereo array and capture an unparalleled depth and realism in your recordings.
Key Features:
- Hypercardioid ribbon microphone
- Ideal for minimizing unwanted bleed in crowded soundscapes
- Can be paired with M130 for a Mid-Side (M/S) stereo array
- Offers depth and realism to the recordings
- Used and trusted by legendary artists
Product specs
| Microphone Type | Ribbon |
| Ribbon Type | Double, Pure Aluminum Diaphragm |
| Polar Pattern | Hypercardioid |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-18kHz |
| Output Impedance | 200 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 1.0mV/Pa (-60dBV) |
| Connector | XLR |
| Dimensions | 6.49" x 1.49" |
| Weight | 6.77 oz |
FAQs
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What applications is the Beyerdynamic M160 best suited for?
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The Beyerdynamic M160 is ideal for recording speech, orchestral instruments, and drums due to its warm, natural sound. Its hypercardioid pattern makes it great for isolating sound sources in both studio and live settings.
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Does the Beyerdynamic M160 require phantom power?
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No, the Beyerdynamic M160 does not require phantom power and using it can damage the microphone. It functions without external power, making it compatible with standard XLR connections.
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How does the Beyerdynamic M160's hypercardioid pattern benefit recording?
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The hypercardioid pattern of the M160 offers excellent off-axis rejection, making it ideal for capturing sound in noisy environments or when isolation of the sound source is needed.
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Is the Beyerdynamic M160 suitable for recording electric guitars?
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Yes, the Beyerdynamic M160 is renowned for its ability to capture electric guitar tones with clarity and warmth, making it a popular choice for studio recordings.
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What is the frequency response range of the Beyerdynamic M160?
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The Beyerdynamic M160 features a frequency response range of 40Hz to 18kHz, providing a balanced sound suitable for various recording applications.
Videos
Podcastage
Beyerdynamic M160 Ribbon Mic Review / Test (Compared to SM7b & AEA KU5a)
Beyerdynamic M160 Ribbon Mic Review / Test (Compared to SM7b & AEA KU5a)
Podcastage
Beyer M160 ribbon mic, demo by Pete Thorn
Pete Thorn
BeyerDynamic M160 Hypercardioid Ribbon Microphone | Reverb Demo Video
Reverb
BEST MICROPHONE - Beyer Dynamic M160 vs. Satan 50
Ola Englund
Why I love the Beyerdynamic M160
Andrew Masters
COLES 4038 VS BEYERDYNAMIC M160 (DRUM OHS AND ROOMS)
Hunter West Sounds
Beyerdynamic M160 Ribbon Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound
Sweetwater
Beyer Dynamic M160s - 3 Reasons They're Great On Drums
Blair Sinta
Acoustic Guitar Mic Shootout, Vintage Gefell PM750 & Beyerdynamic M160
Remi Lauw
Beyerdynamic Ribbon Microphone Shootout (M160, M260, M500)
Cole Picks Vintage
beyerdynamic | M 160 Dynamic Double-Ribbon Microphone (Hypercardioid) - Product Presentation
beyerdynamic
Beyerdynamic M 160 Microphone ⚔️ vs Shure SM57 and Royer R 121
Urban Sound Studio
Beyerdynamic M160 Microphone | Review | Guitar Interactive
Guitar Interactive Magazine
BEYER M160 RIBBON MIC IRS! Hendrix- Bonham Mic! Demo
PAST TO FUTURE
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional for guitar amps with smooth, warm sound
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Versatile across drums, hi-hats, percussion, and acoustic guitars
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Hypercardioid pattern reduces room noise, suitable for home studios
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Provides a mid-forward ribbon sound that complements instruments well
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Excellent in reducing harshness and brightness in cymbals
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Pairs well with dynamic mics for a full, rich tone
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Compact and sturdy build
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Adds a vintage, ribbon microphone tone to recordings
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Detailed and coherent sound, especially on drum kits
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Very sensitive, capturing a wide depth of frequency
CONS
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Not as durable as some competitors
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Not the first choice for vocal recordings
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Requires a good preamp for optimal performance due to low output voltage
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Beyerdynamic M160.
Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
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Highly recommended for hi-hat miking, providing a tight, clear capture that many owners find exceptional.
Source -
Using the M160 on upright bass and acoustic guitars impresses many, often outperforming other top-tier microphones in shootouts.
Source -
Avoid using the M160 for close miking on instruments that produce large gusts of air, like kick drums, to prevent ribbon damage.
Source
Comparisons
Build quality
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The M160's head-basket is noted for its durability, making it resilient for various recording environments.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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For non-destructive ceiling treatments, using T-shaped pushpins with comforters and rockwool effectively reduces reflections without permanent installations.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Phantom power alone doesn't damage ribbon mics; issues arise from shorts, often via TRS plugs, which can be deadly for passive ribbons.
Source -
Using a Cloud CL-1 booster is recommended for pairing M160 with typical entry-level preamps to ensure proper impedance and gain.
Source -
Ribbons in microphones stretch over time but need reribboning only after prolonged use with proper care.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 16 Ratings
5455
Hypercardioid ribbon mic overview: a unique alternative to figure 8 pattern
With no description on this mic posted I wanted to add at least a little detail for people.
Super basic overview. I picked this video because it's bare bones & because I thought it important to note this is ribbon mic but is a hypercardiod ribbon, as opposed to a figure 8 polar pattern (as mentioned in the video).
Artist usage
Add artist
Used as a vocal mic, as stated A Sailor’s Guide to Earth producer David Ferguson in this May 4, 2016 Mix Online interview.
Simpson told Ferguson he likes to sing into a beyerdynamic M 160 mic, which Ferguson appreciated. “Those ribbon mics will take a lot of sound pressure and they don’t leak very much,” Ferguson says. “You get any mic in a room with a bunch of drums, bass amps, and all that sh[*]t going on, and it helps to have a mic that doesn’t leak very much but has a warm, smooth sound.” Also in Simpson’s vocal chain: the same UA 6176 pre that Ferguson used with Johnny Cash, and a rented Fairchild 660.
Listed in Chris Walla's Hall of Justice Recording Studio equipment list.
In a tweet, Masaru Teramae mentions using the Beyerdynamic M160 Ribbon Microphone, highlighting its role alongside other gear in his setup.
“The mic that I preferred most often on the acoustic was the Beyerdynamic M160."
According to a list of equipment which is used in his studio, Crowdspacer, Joakim is also a user of Beyerdynamci M160.
In this YouTube video at 00:15, Sam Evian can be seen singing into the Beyerdynamic M160.
At 9:15 in the video titled "At Home with Aaron Sterling," the drummer Aaron Sterling is seen indicating a Beyerdynamic M160 ribbon microphone, which he uses alongside the SE V1 microphone to capture his snare drum beats. This footage is part of a video by Lauten Audio documenting Aaron Sterling's home recording session for Charles Kelley.
In the YouTube video "Chance to See - Chris Brain," during the studio recording, the Beyerdynamic M160 microphone is clearly visible positioned at the 12th fret of Chris Brain's guitar.
Mentioned on multiple occasions for its use on live drums, particularly overhead miking.
Used to mike the Fender Vibratone used on Chris King Robinson, as featured in this March 14, 2019 Instagram post.
Little amp tour from the debut album recording sessions 👁👀👁
Rino Gaetano used a vintage 1966 Beyerdynamic M160 ribbon microphone during his last television performance with his band, as verified by the YouTube video titled "Rino Gaetano ultima apparizione in tv 'Scusa Mery' / 'e io ci sto'," uploaded by MEMORYHOME. The performance aired on "Cazy Bus" in 1981, two days before his passing.
Album Usage
The Beyerdynamic M160 has been featured on the following albums:
Bound to Rise
Chris Brain (2022)
Chris King Robinson
Chris King Robinson (2021)
Time to Melt
Sam Evian (2021)
A Sailor's Guide to Earth
Sturgill Simpson (2016)
E Io Ci Sto
Rino Gaetano (1980)
Agents Of Fortune
Blue Öyster Cult (1976)
Led Zeppelin IV (Remaster)
Led Zeppelin (1971)
Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix (1968)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Beyerdynamic M160, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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