Vintage Beyerdynamic M55 HL – Black suit, silver soul (1970)

Sometimes the best vintage mics are the ones that don’t scream for attention. This black Beyerdynamic M55 HL is exactly that kind of sleeper: compact, classy, and full of understated West German charm. It’s one of those ’70s omni dynamics that quietly earns its place in a mic locker – not because it’s flashy, but because it sounds far better than its modest size suggests. And in black, with the matching stand and holder, it looks especially sharp.

Sound Character
Warm and rounded with a smooth top end that never gets harsh. Being omni, it captures naturally and evenly from all directions—great for bringing a room to life, giving acoustic guitars an open, in-the-room feel, or adding organic glue to drums as a mono overhead or room mic. Think of it as a sonic wide-angle lens. On guitar amps and acoustic guitars it adds presence without fizz and layers beautifully next to a more hi-fi mic. This is about attitude and color, not lab-coat neutrality – fantastic for layered backing vocals, percussive textures, and that relaxed “nothing forced” vibe.

Specs

• Type: Dynamic
• Polar pattern: Omnidirectional
• Frequency response: 70 Hz – 16 kHz
• Impedance: 200 Ohm
• Sensitivity: 0.12 mV/µbar
• Body: Compact black metal housing
• Connector: Upgraded with a Neutrik XLR

Accessories
Comes in the original box, together with the matching black desk stand and the black holder/clip—a very handsome and unusually well-matched little vintage package.

Condition
Very good. Clean and well-kept, with only light signs of age and use. A lovely surviving example of a mic that rarely turns up looking this complete.