Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (8)
$9,995.00
Guitar Center
$9,995.00
Reverb
5.0 (3)
$9,995.00 New
$11,356.33 Used
Thomann
5.0 (5)
$11,333.00 $11,222.00 $111.00 · All time low
Vintage King
5.0 (2)
$9,995.00

Average Price: $10,426

High-end/Boutique

$100

$401+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Telefunken U47". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Introducing the Telefunken U47, the epitome of vintage-style tube studio microphones. This iconic tool is characterized by its smooth, sweet sound that harkens back to the golden age of music in the 1950s. Whether you're recording soulful vocals or a classical ensemble, the U47 has got you covered. Its robust low-frequency handling, airy high end, and switchable cardioid/omnidirectional pattern make it a versatile workhorse for any studio environment.

The U47's dual-diaphragm capsule provides you with two polar patterns to choose from, offering the flexibility to match your source and recording environment. This feature not only shapes the pickup area but also subtly alters the sound of your mic, allowing you to fine-tune your tone to perfection.

Despite the changing times, Telefunken has remained committed to delivering that classic U47 sound. The company has developed new components, such as the plug-and-play VF-14K vacuum tube and the BV8 output transformer, that replicate the original's warmth and presence. Once you experience the Telefunken U47, you'll understand why its legendary status is well-deserved.

Key Features:

  • Vintage-style tube studio microphone with a smooth and sweet sound
  • Robust low-frequency handling and airy high end for capturing a wide range of sources
  • Switchable cardioid/omnidirectional pattern for versatility
  • Dual-diaphragm capsule allows for fine-tuning of tone
  • Modern components, including the VF-14K vacuum tube and BV8 output transformer, deliver the timeless U47 tone
  • Ideal for vocals, classical recordings and Decca tree stereo mic arrangements
  • Based on the microphones used on countless vocal and classical recordings from the 1950s
  • Comes with a locking case, NG Style power supply, shockmount, and wooden box for secure storage and transport

Product specs

Microphone Type Tube Condenser
Polar Pattern Cardioid, Omni
Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz
Max SPL 138dB
Output Impedance 200 ohms (50 ohms Switchable)
Tube VF14K
Connector XLR
Weight 1.375 lbs.

FAQs

What applications is the Telefunken U47 best suited for?

The Telefunken U47 is ideal for vocals, electric guitar, and orchestral recordings due to its authoritative mid-range and extended low-end response. It's a versatile choice for various studio applications.

What are the polar patterns available on the Telefunken U47?

The Telefunken U47 features cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns, allowing flexibility in capturing sound from different directions based on recording needs.

How does the VF14K tube in the Telefunken U47 affect its sound?

The VF14K tube in the Telefunken U47 contributes to its warm and rich sound quality, making it a sought-after choice for capturing detailed and dynamic recordings.

Is the Telefunken U47 suitable for high SPL recordings?

Yes, the Telefunken U47 can handle a maximum SPL of 138dB, making it suitable for capturing loud sound sources without distortion.

What type of connector does the Telefunken U47 use?

The Telefunken U47 uses an XLR connector, which is standard for professional audio equipment, ensuring compatibility with most studio setups.

White Sea Studio

White Sea Studio

THE BEST MICROPHONE EVER!

Video thumbnail for THE BEST MICROPHONE EVER! by White Sea Studio

THE BEST MICROPHONE EVER!

White Sea Studio

White Sea Studio

Video thumbnail for Vintage Neumann U47 vs. New Telefunken U47 Mic Comparison by Sweetwater

Vintage Neumann U47 vs. New Telefunken U47 Mic Comparison

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Flea 47 vs. Vintage Neumann U47 Microphone Shootout | Vintage King by Vintage King

Flea 47 vs. Vintage Neumann U47 Microphone Shootout | Vintage King

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for Neumann U47 FET Collector's Edition Mic Demo - Sweetwater's SoundCheck Vol. 2 by Sweetwater

Neumann U47 FET Collector's Edition Mic Demo - Sweetwater's SoundCheck Vol. 2

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for A Look At A Historic Pair Of Neumann U47 Microphones From Vintage King by Vintage King

A Look At A Historic Pair Of Neumann U47 Microphones From Vintage King

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for Telefunken U47 Tube Condenser Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Telefunken U47 Tube Condenser Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for TELEFUNKEN U47 microphone Male Vocal SOUL R&B by TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN U47 microphone Male Vocal SOUL R&B

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Video thumbnail for Telefunken U47 - Acoustic Guitar Mic Shootout by Vintage King

Telefunken U47 - Acoustic Guitar Mic Shootout

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for TELEFUNKEN U47 microphone Male Vocal POP by TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN U47 microphone Male Vocal POP

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Video thumbnail for TELEFUNKEN U47 microphone Male Vocal POP ROCK by TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN U47 microphone Male Vocal POP ROCK

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik

Video thumbnail for Telefunken U47 by KlemmMusicTechnology

Telefunken U47

KlemmMusicTechnology

KlemmMusicTechnology

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional sensitivity captures nuanced vocal details

  • Requires minimal EQ and processing for standout vocals

  • Natural, present tone enhances recordings

  • Tames sibilance and handles wide dynamics effortlessly

  • Produces a warm, silky sound with addictive harmonic structure

  • Versatile across various music genres and recording configurations

  • Pairs well with both modern and vintage preamps for enhanced sound quality

  • Captures "bigger than life" sound, flattering to the voice

  • Consistent, professional quality suitable for both male and female vocals

CONS

  • Low end not as warm/full as vintage U47 models

  • Slight high-end rolloff requires EQ adjustment for some applications

  • Warm-up time of 30 minutes needed for optimal sound

  • May require EQ tweaking for contemporary pop music, especially female vocals

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Telefunken U47.

Comparisons

  • Vintage Telefunken U47s are essentially Neumann U47s, as Telefunken was the original exporter for Neumann microphones.

    Source
  • The new Telefunken USA company only licenses the name and logo, differing from the original Neumann-manufactured U47s.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Vintage Neumann U47 microphones can sell for over $10,000 due to their rarity and discontinued vacuum tube production since 1957.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Shock mounts are crucial for U47 microphones to prevent floor vibrations from affecting sound quality.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Professional studios invest in microphones like the U47 for their ability to deliver high returns on quality recordings.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Clint Murphy mini Telefunken U47 review

recordproduction.com

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 9 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Mayer uses Telefunken U47

John Mayer

Guitarist

John Mayer Trio

...
Verified via YouTube

The Telefunken U47 Vocal Microphone was used by John Mayer while playing an acoustic session. In the video "Something like Olivia" the microphone is shown clearly.

See how Jack White uses Telefunken U47

Jack White

Guitarist, Drummer

The White Stripes

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used for the vocals on "Icky Thump", as stated by recording and mixing engineer Joe Chiccarelli in this October 2007 Sound on Sound interview.

“Jack is very particular about his vocal sound, and it’s one of the things on the album that we really took a lot of time for. He is very sensitive to what he hears in the headphones, and he wanted something that gave him juice and was exciting to sing to. So every song had a different mic/preamp/compressor setup. Most of his vocals were recorded through an old RCA 77DX mic, but for some of them I used the Shure SM7 guide vocal mic. On the title song Jack’s vocals were recorded with a Telefunken U47, going into a Neve 1073 preamp and then into an 1176 compressor.”

This is restated by Chiccarelli in this October 1, 2007 Mix Online interview.

Most of the vocals were recorded on a RCA 77DX ribbon microphone, but a U47 and an old Altec 633 salt shaker mic were also pressed into service. Processing, depending on the track, included a Telefunken V76 tube preamp, an 1176, an LA-3A, a Fairchild and a Chandler Limited EMI TG2 compressor. “Sometimes the vocal went through a guitar amp, sometimes through a Neve module with a preamp turned all the way up,” he says. “He's great about working the distortion, knowing how to sing to a certain microphone. He knows how to back way off and come way in when he needs to. The vocal is different on every single song.

“There was no vocal comping,” Chiccarelli continues. “If he didn't like a line, we'd erase it and redo it. It was totally old school, like you're down to track 15 and that's the lead vocal track so make the performance count. A couple of songs were tricky, but he's really good about diving in and working really hard to get the stuff to be what he wants. He's fearless and that's a quality I always look for in an artist.”

See how Billie Joe Armstrong uses Telefunken U47

Billie Joe Armstrong

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

“For acoustic guitar parts, I mostly used the N22. ‘Ordinary World’ was done before I had that mic, though, so I think I used a [Neumann or Telefunken] U47 on that one."

See how Thom Yorke uses Telefunken U47

Thom Yorke

Singer, Guitarist

Radiohead

...
Verified via Mixonline

According to an article by Robyn Flans on Mixonline, Thom Yorke's vocals for Radiohead's track "Creep" were recorded using a Telefunken U47 microphone. The article specifically states, "There were really only three overdubs on 'Creep'—Yorke’s vocals with a Telefunken U47, a piano part played by Jonny Greenwood, and an additional track of the big guitar noise that prefaces the lead guitar parts going into the choruses."

See how Paul McCartney uses Telefunken U47

Paul McCartney

Bassist, Singer

The Beatles

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video, Paul is seen recording using the U47 in the minute 0:19.

See how John Lennon uses Telefunken U47

John Lennon

Singer, Guitarist

The Beatles

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, John can be seen using the U47 in the recording studio at minute 0:14.

See how Sting uses Telefunken U47

Sting

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

In a video on Instagram shared by classicrockandblues, Sting is seen performing "Englishman in New York" from his home studio, using a Telefunken U47 microphone.

See how R3hab uses Telefunken U47

R3hab

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

R3hab records voice-overs for his radio show using the Telefunken U47 Microphone.

See how Taylor Swift uses Telefunken U47

Taylor Swift

Singer, Guitarist

The Agency

...
Verified via Gear4music Blog

At 1:34 you can see a Taylor tracking vocals using a Telefunken U47 for all songs from "folklore: the long pond studio sessions | Disney+).

See how Frank Zappa uses Telefunken U47

Frank Zappa

Singer, Guitarist

The Plastic Ono Band

...
Verified via Mixonline

in addition to these lyrics:

https://genius.com/Frank-zappa-sy-borg-lyrics

see this article which details restoration of FZ's microphone collection, including several Telefunken U-47's

https://www.mixonline.com/news/frank-zappa-s-microphone-collection-restored-420560

See how Tyler, The Creator uses Telefunken U47

Tyler, The Creator

Singer, Rapper

Odd Future

...
Verified via YouTube

In the documentary "MASK IS OFF: CHROMAKOPIA" by Tyler, The Creator, he is seen using a Telefunken U47 microphone during a recording session. This can be observed at the timestamp 1:22-1:24. The footage was shot and edited by Lazaro Rodriguez.

See how Mike Shinoda uses Telefunken U47

Mike Shinoda

Singer, Guitarist

Linkin Park

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video by Edu Abentin, Chester Bennington is frequently seen using the Telefunken U47 microphone in Mike Shinoda's home studio for vocal recording sessions.

Album Usage

The Telefunken U47 has been featured on the following albums:

Telefunken U47 as heard on Dandelion by Ella Langley (2026)

Dandelion

Ella Langley (2026)

Telefunken U47 as heard on CHI LO SA by Cristiano Malgioglio (2025)

CHI LO SA

Cristiano Malgioglio (2025)

Telefunken U47 as heard on CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, The Creator (2024)

CHROMAKOPIA

Tyler, The Creator (2024)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Certain Limitations by Luke Temple (2024)

Certain Limitations

Luke Temple (2024)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Ordinary World by Billie Joe Armstrong (2022)

Ordinary World

Billie Joe Armstrong (2022)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Queendom - The 6th Mini Album by Red Velvet (2021)

Queendom - The 6th Mini Album

Red Velvet (2021)

Telefunken U47 as heard on folklore: the long pond studio sessions (from the Disney+ special) [deluxe edition] by Taylor Swift (2020)

folklore: the long pond studio sessions (from the Disney+ special) [deluxe edition]

Taylor Swift (2020)

Telefunken U47 as heard on folklore by Taylor Swift (2020)

folklore

Taylor Swift (2020)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Açaí Bowl by Dominic Fike (2019)

Açaí Bowl

Dominic Fike (2019)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Let's Be Frank by Trisha Yearwood (2019)

Let's Be Frank

Trisha Yearwood (2019)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Play Wooden Child by Nodding God (2019)

Play Wooden Child

Nodding God (2019)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Rarities by Joe Williams (2018)

Rarities

Joe Williams (2018)

Telefunken U47 as heard on In Full Swing by Seth MacFarlane (2017)

In Full Swing

Seth MacFarlane (2017)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Turn Up The Quiet by Diana Krall (2017)

Turn Up The Quiet

Diana Krall (2017)

Telefunken U47 as heard on The Serenity of Suffering by Korn (2016)

The Serenity of Suffering

Korn (2016)

Telefunken U47 as heard on To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar (2015)

To Pimp A Butterfly

Kendrick Lamar (2015)

Telefunken U47 as heard on These Walls by Kendrick Lamar (2015)

These Walls

Kendrick Lamar (2015)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Alright by Kendrick Lamar (2015)

Alright

Kendrick Lamar (2015)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Shadows in the Night by Bob Dylan & Robert Zimmerman (2015)

Shadows in the Night

Bob Dylan & Robert Zimmerman (2015)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Trouble Will Find Me by The National (2013)

Trouble Will Find Me

The National (2013)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Love In The Future (Expanded Edition) by John Legend (2013)

Love In The Future (Expanded Edition)

John Legend (2013)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Time of the Season / She's Not There by The Zombies (2013)

Time of the Season / She's Not There

The Zombies (2013)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Music Is Better Than Words by Seth MacFarlane (2011)

Music Is Better Than Words

Seth MacFarlane (2011)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Congratulations by MGMT (2010)

Congratulations

MGMT (2010)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Sleep Through The Static by Jack Johnson (2008)

Sleep Through The Static

Jack Johnson (2008)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Time of the Season by The Zombies (2007)

Time of the Season

The Zombies (2007)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Icky Thump by The White Stripes & Jack White & Jack White (2007)

Icky Thump

The White Stripes & Jack White & Jack White (2007)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz (1993)

Are You Gonna Go My Way

Lenny Kravitz (1993)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Pablo Honey by Radiohead (1993)

Pablo Honey

Radiohead (1993)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Mosquitos by Stan Ridgway (1989)

Mosquitos

Stan Ridgway (1989)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Williams, Joe: Nothin' But the Blues by Joe Williams (1983)

Williams, Joe: Nothin' But the Blues

Joe Williams (1983)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Foreign Affairs (Remastered) by Tom Waits (1977)

Foreign Affairs (Remastered)

Tom Waits (1977)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Ramones (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition; 2016 Remaster) by Ramones (1976)

Ramones (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition; 2016 Remaster)

Ramones (1976)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Strange Days by The Doors (1967)

Strange Days

The Doors (1967)

Telefunken U47 as heard on Unforgettable by Nat King Cole (1954)

Unforgettable

Nat King Cole (1954)

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Telefunken U47, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Telefunken ELA M 251
Telefunken ELA M 251 Condenser Microphones
4
Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
4
AMS Neve 1073
AMS Neve 1073 Preamps & Channel Strips
4
Universal Audio 1176LN
Universal Audio 1176LN Effects Processors
3
Royer R-121
Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphones
3
AKG C12 VR
AKG C12 VR Condenser Microphones
2
Roland RE-201 Space Echo
Roland RE-201 Space Echo Effects Processors
2
RCA 77-DX
RCA 77-DX Ribbon Microphones
2

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