I’ve been very impressed with Heil microphones. I used them for professional audio purposes, as well as amateur radio. Currently, I have the following models: PR-30, PR-35, and PR-22.
The PR-30 and PR-35 are identical, in terms of frequency response and sound. The PR-35 is made to be a handheld mic, and the PR-30 is really for use with a microphone stand or a boom.
The PR-22 has been amazing. I bought a PR-20, and decided I wanted the upgrade, so I enclosed my $20 upgrade fee and sent the microphone back. I think Heil turned the upgrade around in about 3 business days, and I had my microphone back. I shipped on Friday, and got the mic back on Wednesday I think.
I’ve been very impressed with their customer service, and Bob Heil has emailed me several times. While I’m sure there are good reasons to use condenser microphones, these dynamic mics definitely do the job for me, and probably considering that I have a very high amount of noise where my music and radio setup is located, I probably don’t want a condenser that is going to pick up everything.
If you are looking for a quality microphone, I’d recommend you look at the microphones at Heil Sound, at this website.
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I like Heil mics too.
But I started with the PR35 and just got the PR30.
And I cannot agree with you that they sound alike.
The PR30 seems to have more presence and clarity on both my voice and my fiddle. Both work on my nylon string guitar (which I play with a pick like Willie Nelson), but the PR35 is superior because of the low cut switch which cuts the tendency to boominess.
The PR35 seems like it’s smoother and mellower, maybe too mellow alone- for recording it worked best with a cheap tube mic preamp.
I have found some other reviews on line that show similar differences.
It is true that they have the same capsule, but different mounting methods apparently produce different results.
I appreciate your feedback. I do like the switch on the PR35, as you say to help cut the boominess when needed. The fact of the matter is, I haven’t used the mics for much more than voice at this point. At some point I may record some of my piano playing. I may take both mics along to see which one sounds better, knowing that for instruments there is a difference.
Thanks for your comments.