Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $182

Standard/Professional

$100

$401+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Neat Microphones King Bee II". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Delve into the realm of pristine audio capture with the Neat Microphones King Bee II, a gem in the world of studio-grade condenser microphones. Whether you're laying down vocal tracks, recording acoustic instruments, or capturing the intricate details of woodwinds and strings, the King Bee II stands ready to deliver unparalleled clarity and fidelity. Its heart, a large-diaphragm capsule, is finely tuned to ensure your recordings are imbued with lifelike detail and depth. What sets this mic apart is its Class A circuitry, ensuring a noise-free performance that captures the true essence of your source without unwanted coloration.

The King Bee II isn't just another mic; it's a complete audio capturing solution. It comes equipped with a Honeycomb pop filter and the Beekeeper shockmount, essentials for achieving professional-grade recordings free from plosives and vibrations. Whether you're a seasoned producer or a budding musician, this microphone is designed to elevate your sound, ensuring every nuance and subtlety of your performance is captured with absolute fidelity.

Key Features:

  • Large-diaphragm capsule ensures detailed and accurate sound capture
  • Class A circuitry offers a pristine, noise-free signal path
  • Gold-sputtered, center-terminated true condenser microphone capsule for clear, natural sound
  • Versatile performance, ideal for vocals, instruments, and spoken word applications
  • Includes Honeycomb pop filter and Beekeeper shockmount to minimize plosives and vibrations
  • Requires +48V phantom power for operation
Podcastage

Podcastage

Neat Mics King Bee II Review / Test (vs. NW700, AT2020, LCT440, NT1, U87 Ai)

Video thumbnail for Neat Mics King Bee II Review / Test (vs. NW700, AT2020, LCT440, NT1, U87 Ai) by Podcastage

Neat Mics King Bee II Review / Test (vs. NW700, AT2020, LCT440, NT1, U87 Ai)

Podcastage

Podcastage

Video thumbnail for Neat King Bee II Review, Is it worth it? by Booth Junkie

Neat King Bee II Review, Is it worth it?

Booth Junkie

Booth Junkie

Video thumbnail for Neat King Bee II - A Budget Friendly Monster!! (Microphone Review) by AudioHaze

Neat King Bee II - A Budget Friendly Monster!! (Microphone Review)

AudioHaze

AudioHaze

Video thumbnail for The Complete Guide to Home Recording! (with the Neat King Bee II) by AudioHaze

The Complete Guide to Home Recording! (with the Neat King Bee II)

AudioHaze

AudioHaze

Video thumbnail for NEAT Microphones King Bee II Review — Budget XLR broadcast sounding microphone by Curtis Judd

NEAT Microphones King Bee II Review — Budget XLR broadcast sounding microphone

Curtis Judd

Curtis Judd

Video thumbnail for Neat King Bee II - Still Deserving The Crown? by Dark Corner Studios

Neat King Bee II - Still Deserving The Crown?

Dark Corner Studios

Dark Corner Studios

Video thumbnail for Neat King Bee II: The New Microphone KING by Archie Beatz

Neat King Bee II: The New Microphone KING

Archie Beatz

Archie Beatz

Reviews

PROS

  • Transparent, noise-free recording quality

  • Great for close miking and noisy environments due to off-axis sound rejection

  • Versatile: excels with instruments, vocals, podcasts

  • Includes shock mount and pop filter

  • Low self-noise, ensuring clear audio capture

  • Smooth, bright treble; flat midrange; robust low end

  • Sleek, professional appearance

  • Sturdy build with beefy metal housing

  • Excellent customer service from Neat

CONS

  • Shock mount can be resonant, impacting recording when tapped

  • Pop filter may slightly color tone, less effective than desired

  • Difficult to remove pop filter without feeling like damaging the mic

  • Large and heavy, may not fit all setups

  • No storage or carrying case included

  • Not ideal for those with deep, bassy voices

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Neat Microphones King Bee II.

Comparisons

  • The King Bee II is noted for its deeper and smoother sound compared to the NT1, which some find metallic and harsh.

    Source
  • The King Bee II is noted for a "V shaped" sound signature, emphasizing treble and bass, unlike the NT1’s neutral profile, affecting versatility for different recording applications.

    Source
  • Both the NT1 and King Bee II have low self-noise, with the NT1 at 4.5dB and the King Bee II close at 6dB, making both suitable for quiet environments.

    Source

User experience

  • Some King Bee II models initially have a strange adhesive smell that dissipates after a few days.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the low self-noise compared to other mics like the Rode M3, enhancing its suitability for quiet recording environments.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The King Bee II's larger capsule suggests better bass response, potentially outperforming the NT1 in this aspect.

    Source
  • The included pop filter is difficult to remove and may not work effectively; users suggest using a different pop filter for optimal performance.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The King Bee II is praised as a "value king" for its quality at a lower price point compared to the NT1.

    Source
  • At a purchase price of around $70, users find it a cost-effective option for quality voice recording, especially compared to local prices in some regions.

    Source
  • The King Bee II offers a competitive price point, around $120, appealing to budget-conscious users seeking quality akin to the higher-priced NT1.

    Source

Build quality

  • The King Bee II is surprisingly heavy, which can affect mounting and handling expectations.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A known grounding continuity issue may require scraping paint on the inside to fix; a YouTube tutorial is available for guidance.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Described as warm and suitable for voice-over work, but noted to have poor high-end performance for music recording, making it less ideal for that application.

    Source
  • The King Bee II's sound profile may require more EQ adjustments in post-production due to its treble and bass emphasis, compared to the NT1’s naturally flat response.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Review: The King Bee II Is My Favorite Home Studio Mic | WIRED

wired.com

Neat Microphones' King Bee II delivers impressive sound clarity and an ultra-low self-noise, making it a standout for solo recordings. Priced under $200, it features a solid build and a built-in pop filter, though its weight might challenge some mic stands. However, the mic is limited to a single cardioid polar pattern, which restricts its versatility. While it shines for voiceovers, those needing multi-directional recording will need to look elsewhere. Overall, it’s a fantastic choice for solo artists with the right studio setup, but beginners may find the entry costs higher than expected.

positive

Neat King Bee II Microphone review - SoundGuys

soundguys.com

The Neat King Bee II is a visually appealing XLR condenser microphone that delivers impressive sound quality, making it a solid choice for both vocals and instruments. However, its design prioritizes aesthetics over durability, leading to a fragile build that demands careful handling. While it includes helpful accessories like a pop filter, its bulkiness complicates positioning during use. For those willing to treat it gently, the King Bee II offers great value for its price, but clumsier users might find its fragility a dealbreaker.

Neat Microphones King Bee II Review: Good Value, Natural Sound | Tom's Hardware

tomshardware.com

The Neat Microphones King Bee II is a solid contender for those looking to enhance their audio quality without going broke. It delivers smooth and detailed sound, making it a great choice for vocals and instruments. The build quality is impressive, and it comes with essential accessories like a shock mount and pop filter. However, its weight may be cumbersome for some setups, and it demands a quality audio interface to shine. While it lacks features like alternate polar patterns, the overall value at its price point is hard to ignore. If you're serious about content creation, this mic is worth considering.

positive

Neat King Bee II Condenser Microphone Review | Performer Mag

performermag.com

The Neat King Bee II is a robust, professional-grade condenser microphone that excels in clarity and articulation, making it a top choice for voiceovers and various instruments. Its integrated pop filter and solid build are commendable, offering great off-axis response and a musical EQ profile. However, it might be overkill for casual users or those with simpler needs, particularly for video or streaming applications where a less expensive alternative like the Worker Bee II could suffice. At $169, it’s a worthy investment for serious home studio enthusiasts but may not be the best fit for everyone.

positive

Neat King Bee II review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Neat Microphones King Bee II delivers impressive quality with its striking design and affordability, making it a solid choice for voice artists and acoustic instruments. Its warm cardioid pattern captures sound beautifully across various genres, though the pop shield could be improved to better manage plosives. Despite this minor setback, it excels in versatility and performance, proving to be a valuable addition to any audio setup.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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sofamusician

Captures the sound of silence!

I was looking for a good and affordable condenser mic. After researching all the usual suspects in the under $100 range (AT2020, Behringer B1, MXL 990...), I found the Kingbee II.

The Kingbee II was originally released at $170, and was compared favorably to even more expensive mics. I was quite surprised to find that it was available for just a fraction of the original price (got mine for about $70). At this price point it provides huge value for the money.

The mic provides ultra low self-noise, resulting in excellent audio quality without artifacts. The sound is a bit on the dark/warm side, which I find great for me but it may or may not suit your voice.

The design is quite original, with a very unique shape. It feels like a modern version of one of those vintage mics with a sphere on top. The reference to bees is much more subtle than with version 1.

The mic is quite heavy, but it works well with a solid desk stand. I've been using Elgato wave desk stand and it seems quite stable.

During my research I learnt that some units may have an issue with the paint that caused a grounding issue, resulting in the mic producing hum noise. My unit was not affected, but if you can get the mic from a seller with a good return policy, it seems totally worth the risk.

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