Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (15)
$5,995.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$5,995.00
Amazon
5.0 (1)
$5,995.00
Reverb
5.0 (10)
$5,395.00 New
$2,888.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (1)
$5,995.00
B&H
$5,995.00
Thomann
5.0 (7)
$5,090.00 $4,999.00 $91.00 · All time low
Vintage King
$5,995.00

Average Price: $5,472

High-end/Boutique

$100

$401+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Neumann M149 Tube". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Crafted with reverence for the past and a vision for the future, the Neumann M149 Tube Microphone embodies the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern innovation. Modeled on the legendary M49, the M149 Tube carries forward the legacy of its predecessor with an added contemporary edge. Featuring the renowned K 47/49 large-diaphragm capsule, this microphone boasts an unmatched sonic balance and presence that has become a benchmark in the recording industry.

Inside the acoustically open head grille, the dual-diaphragm capsule minimizes internal reflections, ensuring the purest, most authentic sound capture. Amplification is handled by a specially selected subminiature triode tube, optimized for minimal noise and maximum transmission characteristics. The final stage of the M149's journey involves a high-precision, ultralow distortion transformerless output stage. This preserves the full dynamism of the tube circuit and is well-suited to modern-era signal chains.

With nine directional characteristics and a 7-position low cut, the M149 offers unparalleled flexibility that makes it a truly universal studio microphone. Whether it's vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, percussion, strings, brass, or woodwind instruments, this microphone captures every nuance with precision and clarity. The M149 is not just a microphone; it's a testimony to Neumann's commitment to superior audio quality and innovative engineering.

Key Features:

  • Classic K 47/49 large-diaphragm capsule for unmatched balance and presence
  • Specially selected subminiature triode tube for optimum noise reduction and transmission characteristics
  • High-precision, ultralow distortion transformerless output stage for preserving full dynamics
  • Nine directional characteristics and a 7-position low cut for maximum flexibility
  • Exceptionally low self-noise figure of only 13dB-A (cardioid mode)
  • Ability to drive long cable runs of up to 300 m without transmission losses
  • Suitable for a wide range of instruments, including vocals, guitar, percussion, and orchestral instruments

Owner's manual

Neumann M149 Tube User Manual

Product specs

Microphone Type Tube Condenser
Polar Pattern Omni, Wide Angle Cardioid, Cardioid, Hypercardioid, Figure-8
Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz
Max SPL 136dB
Output Impedance 50 ohms
Signal to Noise Ratio 78dB, 81dB, 83dB (A weighted)
Self Noise 16dB, 13dB, 11dB (A weighted)
Low Cut Filter Seven-step High-pass Filter
Power Source External power supply
Connector XLR
Weight 1.61 lbs.
Included Accessories Shock Mount, Carry Case

FAQs

What type of power supply does the Neumann M149 Tube microphone require?

The Neumann M149 Tube microphone requires an external power supply, not standard 48V phantom power.

What polar patterns are available on the Neumann M149 Tube microphone?

The Neumann M149 Tube microphone offers nine polar patterns, including omni, wide-angle cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure-8.

Is the Neumann M149 Tube microphone suitable for high SPL environments?

Yes, the Neumann M149 Tube microphone can handle a maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 136dB, making it suitable for recording loud sound sources.

What is the frequency response of the Neumann M149 Tube microphone?

The Neumann M149 Tube microphone has a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20kHz, capturing a wide spectrum of audio frequencies.

What accessories are included with the Neumann M149 Tube microphone?

The Neumann M149 Tube microphone comes with a shock mount and a carry case for protection and easy transport.

Vintage King

Vintage King

Neumann Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Shootout | Vintage King

Video thumbnail for Neumann Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Shootout | Vintage King by Vintage King

Neumann Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Shootout | Vintage King

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for Neumann M149 Condenser Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Neumann M149 Condenser Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Neumann M149 Microphone Demonstration by Musos Corner

Neumann M149 Microphone Demonstration

Musos Corner

Musos Corner

Video thumbnail for Neumann M 149 Tube Microphone | VintageKing.com by Vintage King

Neumann M 149 Tube Microphone | VintageKing.com

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for The Neumann M 149 Tube Microphone by Georg Neumann GmbH

The Neumann M 149 Tube Microphone

Georg Neumann GmbH

Georg Neumann GmbH

Video thumbnail for Neumann M149 | Unboxing & Review Powered by You by Audio Test Kitchen

Neumann M149 | Unboxing & Review Powered by You

Audio Test Kitchen

Audio Test Kitchen

Video thumbnail for Neumann M149 from Al Schmitt by ANALOGr

Neumann M149 from Al Schmitt

ANALOGr

ANALOGr

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional on vocals, offering smooth, detailed sound

  • Impressive performance on acoustic guitars with warm, rich tones

  • Emulations inferior to the genuine M149 quality

  • Minimal post-processing needed, great natural sound

  • Versatile across various music genres, especially jazz, pop, and classical

  • Enhances harmonics and smoothens transients for richer tones

  • Compatible with a range of preamps for diverse sound textures

  • Ideal for both professional studio recording and amateur use

  • High-quality analog sound recording

CONS

  • Cardioid and other pickup patterns not very distinct

  • Construction includes plastic switches, not metal as expected for price

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Neumann M149 Tube.

Comparisons

  • Owners note the M149 has character but suggest considering the U87 for longevity and versatility, or the AKG 414 for a more neutral sound.

    Source
  • The Warm Audio WA-47 is often preferred over the TLM103 for its superior sound quality, especially on baritone vocals.

    Source
  • Users highlight the Townsend Labs Sphere as a versatile alternative, with its ability to model various microphone types, including a convincing 251.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Regular servicing is needed for the M149, with reports of power supply failures in studios with daily use.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The M149 excels on male vocals but is less favored for female vocals; its performance varies significantly with different sources.

    Source
  • The Mojave MA-300 is praised for its performance in shootouts against high-end vintage mics, excelling in professional voiceover and recording settings.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Using a high-quality power supply with a transformer enhances the M149's performance significantly.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Some users find the M149 overpriced and suggest investing in several versatile microphones instead for a broader range of options.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Roswell Mini K47 and K87 are noted for their warm sound profile, avoiding harshness in the top end, suitable for languages with more sibilance.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
dieter_schulthess

Great vocal mic

I'm using the M149 mainly on female vocals. The M149 has a very detailed smooth sound, especially on the position between cardioid and hyper-cardioid.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Half way between cardioid and hyper cardioid.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Lata Mangeshkar uses Neumann M149 Tube

Lata Mangeshkar

Singer

...
Verified via YouTube

Lata Mangeshkar uses the Neumann M149 Tube microphone in a recording studio for official releases, as evidenced by a live recording session featured on YouTube by Status Corner.

See how Neeraj Khajanchi uses Neumann M149 Tube

Neeraj Khajanchi

Music Producer, Audio Engineer

...
Verified via Twitter

Neeraj Khajanchi uses the Neumann M149 Tube Microphone, as shown in a Twitter post by user kingneeraj. The post features the microphone at STUDIO AQQA, highlighting its use in professional vocal recording settings.

See how Loïc Rossetti uses Neumann M149 Tube

Loïc Rossetti

Singer

The Ocean

...
Verified via YouTube

Loïc Rossetti uses the Neumann M149 Tube Microphone during performances of "Firmament," as seen in the official live video by Metal Blade Records.

See how Babydaddy uses Neumann M149 Tube

Babydaddy

Guitarist, Bassist

38 Special

...
Verified via Soundonsound

According to Babydaddy, the equipment at Discoball Jazzfest consists of a G5 Mac running Logic Pro 7 with assorted plug-ins including the Native Instruments Komplete package, Korg's Legacy Collection, Arturia's CS80V and Gforce's Minimonsta. Hardware includes the Access Virus Indigo and Virus Polar, Roland XV5050, Studiologic SL880 master keyboard, Roland Juno 106 and Novation K-station synths. The band's main microphone is a Neumann M149, which went through the studio's HHB Radius 50, Avalon VT737, or Universal Audio 6176 preamps, and then into their MOTU 828 MkII, with monitoring taken care of by Mackie HR824s.

See how Bobby Mill uses Neumann M149 Tube

Bobby Mill

Singer, Rapper

...
Verified via Photo

The Neumann M149 Tube Microphone can be seen on this picture.

See how Laura Brehm uses Neumann M149 Tube

Laura Brehm

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Used for vocals during a studio session, as can be seen in this August 10, 2013 Twitter post.

See how Romain Humeau uses Neumann M149 Tube

Romain Humeau

Singer, Guitarist

Eiffel

...
Verified via YouTube

Romain Humeau utilise pour enregistrer sa voix son micro Neumann m149 sur "Abricotine", "le 1/4 d'heure des ahuris" et "Tandoori". Aucune idée s'il fut utilisé pour les autres albums du groupe ou en solo.

See how Adriano Celentano uses Neumann M149 Tube

Adriano Celentano

Singer

...
Verified via YouTube

In the live TV performance of "Dormi Amore" for Rai Television, singer Adriano Celentano uses the Neumann M149 Tube microphone, as seen in the YouTube video provided by AdrianoCelentanoClub.

T

Tim O'Reagan

Drummer

Jayhawks

...
Verified via Mixonline

Used for group vocals on XOXO, as stated by engineer Nick Tveitbakk in this October 28, 2020 Mix Online interview.

“We cut 90 percent of the lead vocals through a Wunder CM7 mic, which I really love,” KJ says. “That went through a Neve 1066 preamp, and then a Revision H 1176. Also, in the big room we had a Neumann M149 tube mic, which we used for group vocals. Sometimes all three of them would be singing around one mic.”

See how Matt Malley uses Neumann M149 Tube

Matt Malley

Bassist, Composer

Counting Crows

...
Verified via Mixonline

Mentioned in this March 2005 Mix Online article about Malley's The Goddess Within.

Matt Malley, who recently parted company with Counting Crows after 14 years as the band's bass player, is looking forward to spending more time in his home studio, where he has already begun tracking his debut solo album. Having invested in a number of Neumann microphones to record his vocals and drum kit for the project, Malley now considers them indispensable.

"I love them dearly," he says. "They're the stars of my studio. For my vocals I use a Neumann M149. John Mayer recommended that mic to me. We were out touring with him last year and he said, to quote him, 'The M149 is the only mic you're ever going to need for recording.' And he's right!"

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 Neumann M149 Tube, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Shure SM7 Dynamic Microphones
5
Avalon VT-737SP
Avalon VT-737SP Preamps & Channel Strips
4
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4
Avid HD I/O
Avid HD I/O Audio Interfaces
3
Urei 1176 LN Revision H
Urei 1176 LN Revision H Effects Processors
3
Wunder Audio CM7
Wunder Audio CM7 Condenser Microphones
3
AMS Neve 1066
AMS Neve 1066 Preamps & Channel Strips
3
AKG C414 EB
AKG C414 EB Condenser Microphones
3
Neumann U47
Neumann U47 Condenser Microphones
3

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