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
$11,312.79 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: $10,419

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.

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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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1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Avril Lavigne uses Telefunken U47

Avril Lavigne

Singer, Guitarist

Avril Lavigne (Band)

...
Verified via Photo

Avril performed a couple of songs at a home concert in 2020 with the Telefunken U47 microphone.

See how Lady Gaga uses Telefunken U47

Lady Gaga

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via YouTube

Lady Gaga can be seen using this microphone throughout this performance.

See how Jungkook uses Telefunken U47

Jungkook

Singer, Composer

BTS

...
Verified via Photo

In Fake Love Comeback show you can see a Telefunken U47 hanging from the book arm on Jungkook’s table

See how Dweezil Zappa uses Telefunken U47

Dweezil Zappa

Guitarist

Spinal Tap

...
Verified via Photo

Zappa added "a new Telefunken | USA U47" to Utility Muffin Research Kitchen, as mentioned in this July 2007 Telefunken article.

Dweezil also took possession of a new Telefunken | USA U47. He added, “It’s amazing how same-model microphones have very distinct characteristics, because of the subtleties of the capsules and the choice and condition of the tubes. The new U47 is a very finely crafted mic which fits beautifully into the collection that Frank put together.”

See how Lana Del Rey uses Telefunken U47

Lana Del Rey

Singer

...
Verified via Photo

Producer Brandon Lowry states in this Sound On Sound article: "She has a great voice in general, but it is at its most unique in the alto range, so we wanted her voice to be in that range, and the Telefunken U47 AE worked great for that."

See how JHope uses Telefunken U47

JHope

Singer, Rapper

BTS

...
Verified via YouTube

Between 0:25-0:26, you can see the back of a Telefunken U47 microphone. You can visibly see the serial number plate. It could also be a vintage Neumann U47, on which the Telefunken is based on.

See how Jonathan Davis uses Telefunken U47

Jonathan Davis

Singer, Guitarist

Korn

...
Verified via YouTube

The Telefunken M251 and U-47 can be seen in the making of "A Different World".

See how Dominic Fike uses Telefunken U47

Dominic Fike

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

He says at 1:20 : "This is the microphone that I do it all in front of right here. The Telefunken." It is a U47 not a TF51 because it has the little window on the front that displays the selected pickup pattern.

And to solidify that this is in fact a Telefunken U47, Dom's producer Julian Cruz shows off the vocal chain for Acaí Bowl.

See how Daniel Lanois uses Telefunken U47

Daniel Lanois

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via Gearslutz

"I like the Sennheiser 409 on amps. For a different sound I like a ribbon mic. Acoustic guitar recordings are tough. If you can have a nice big mic further back from the instrument that's usually the best. Further back means no booming. Lately I've enjoyed a U47 or C37A with a 1066 preamp."

See how Sheryl Crow uses Telefunken U47

Sheryl Crow

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

"At the same time, Crow's acoustic guitar parts were recorded either with a U47, an AKG C12 or a Sennheiser 421, while electric guitars largely made use of a Fender Tweed amp." -via Sound on Sound

See how Kiasmos uses Telefunken U47

Kiasmos

Music Producer

...
Verified via Headphone Commute

In the interview, Janus say "I record a lot of vocals, so the lovely U47 clone made by my friend is always in use."

See how Jim Morrison uses Telefunken U47

Jim Morrison

Singer

The Doors

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used for vocals (starting with Strange Days), as stated by engineer Bruce Botnick across Doors-related literature.

  • December 2003 - "Classic Tracks: The Doors 'Strange Days'", Sound on Sound

    While Telefunken U47s were employed to record both Robby Krieger's guitar and Ray Manzarek's electric organ, the piano-bass was DI'd. Tried and trusted, this was Bruce Botnick's miking technique for assorted setups with a wide variety of artists. (...) Jim Morrison's vocals were captured with a U47, and although Botnick didn't use a pop shield during the Strange Days sessions — "I still don't like using them," he says, "I can hear them" — this would become a necessity a few years later when a drunken Morrison risked getting moisture on the capsule. At that point, Botnick would resort to making filters out of ladies' stockings glued over wire frames, "and when they were fresh Jim would get stoned off of the glue!

    "Still, he was great, and for the most part he was one of the easiest people I've ever had to record. He had a big, full sound — his idol was Frank Sinatra, and he always had those legendary crooners in his soul, even though he could go from crooning to screaming in a flash. He was like [Peruvian singer] Yma Sumac, with a four-octave range. I could set up his mic and just brush him lightly with compression in order to grab it when he screamed, but otherwise he was right there. He gave full value to every note. He was a controlled singer, like Sinatra and like Elvis. He loved Elvis, and he was a good student."

  • 2006 - Perception liner notes for Strange Days (transcribed in The Doors FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Kings of Acid Rock by Rich Weidman (2011))

    In the liner notes for Strange Days in the Perception Box Set, Doors engineer Bruce Botnik related the story of how he chose a Telefunken U47 microphone for Morrison: "The significance of the U47 wasn't lost on him, since he was a big fan of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. The first time Jim stepped up in front of the microphone, he immediately recognized it from Sinatra's Swingin' Session album cover and was flattered to be sonically linked to one of his idols!

  • October 9, 2007 - "Opening the Doors", Electronic Musician

    What did you use for Jim Morrison’s vocals?

    A Neumann U47 — which has pretty much always been my favorite vocal mic. And yes, for Strange Days, we didn’t use any pop filters. I hate them, because I can hear them. Jim was very controlled, so a light compression when he screamed into the mic was all it took to keep him sounding even. In those days, it was very common to have technical recording information on the back of the albums. They would list, “Trumpets: U47” and the like. So I would listen to the records, hear those sounds, and, then when I got back to the studio, I’d try out the mics. I’d say to myself, “Wow, it does have that sound character. That’s cool. I’m going to use it!”

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.

Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
4
Telefunken ELA M 251
Telefunken ELA M 251 Condenser 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
Roland RE-201 Space Echo
Roland RE-201 Space Echo Effects Processors
2
AKG C12 VR
AKG C12 VR Condenser Microphones
2
Neumann M149 Tube
Neumann M149 Tube Condenser Microphones
2

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