Vintage Beyerdynamic M818 LM – Great stereo sound for guitar and bass cabs

The M818 is Beyerdynamics’s vintage stereo package built around two M81 dynamic microphones—factory-paired for stereo work and housed in a compact, great-looking Art Deco form. Think classic 1970s West German utility with musical attitude: wide usable bandwidth, great low end and that “why isn’t this more famous?” versatility on drums, guitars, piano and room captures. One of the best bang-for-the-buck vintage mic buys around—and this set gives you two.

Sound Character

Punchy, present and powerful. As a pair, the M818 LMs deliver a coherent stereo image with focused pickup and that lovely old Beyerdynamic combination of solid low end and clear, mid-forward detail. They’re great on drums, acoustic guitar, piano and room duties, where you want width without things getting messy. Used on their own, each mic has a nicely confident tone that feels more grown-up than its compact size suggests. They also work beautifully in front of guitar amps, bringing bite, body, and a very usable vintage edge. And when it comes to bass amps, they’re a bit of a secret weapon—many people love them exactly for that old-school bass sound, with weight, character, and that wonderfully vintage low-end texture. Underrated? Definitely. And that’s a big part of the charm.

Specs

• Type: Dynamic
• Polar pattern: Cardioid (factory stereo pair)
• Frequency response: 50 – 16.000 Hz
• Impedance: 500 Ω
• Sensitivity: 0,23 mV/µbar
• Silver metal housing – looks stunning
• Upgraded with a Neutrik XLR

Accessories

Comes in the original black plastic case, together with the stereo bar and two table stands and two clips. The set is nicely complete overall, though the foam insert inside the case is missing.

Condition

Good overall, with honest signs of age and use. The internal foam in the microphones is still intact and has not been replaced, which is always nice to see. Fully tested and ready to work.