beyerdynamic celebrates the M160 ribbon microphone’s 50th birthday !

This year sees the 50th anniversary of the classic M160 ribbon microphone. To celebrate this milestone, beyerdynamic is releasing 200 limited special edition M160 microphones worldwide in their original chrome-plated housing. A further 50 will be offered together with an M130 as M/S stereo sets.

beyerdynamic is one of only a few select manufacturers who offer ribbon microphones as part of their product range. Since its first appearance in 1957, the manufacturing process of this classic design has hardly changed: “Because the physical laws which mark the special quality of ribbon microphones are of course still valid today,” explains beyerdynamic's GmbH Managing Director Wolfgang Luckhardt in Heilbronn.

The ribbon microphone is currently enjoying a real renaissance, particularly in the USA. Originally developed as an alternative to the then extremely expensive and sensitive condenser microphones, ribbon microphones still remain the best alternative in many recording situations, with their authentic linear sound characteristics and natural warmth.

With a wealth of experience in the audio electronics sector, beyerdynamic has enjoyed market success for over 80 years. “We have always poured our experience into the constant improvement of our designs,” states Luckhardt. However, according to him, the real secret of the company’s long-running success lies in the high proportion of handcrafted products, allowing for flexibility to produce short runs of real collector’s items, such as the anniversary edition M160.


Price and availability- TBA