Mic Showdown: Warm Audio WA-87jr SE vs. WA-47jr SE

The vocal mic is the first link in your chain, and it defines the entire character of your recording. Do you go for vintage warmth or modern clarity? A mic that’s smooth and soulful, or one that’s polished and “pre-EQed” to cut through a dense mix?

It’s a tough choice, but luckily, Warm Audio just released their incredibly affordable “Studio Essential” (SE) line, featuring the WA-47jr SE and the WA-87jr SE. These mics are based on two of the most legendary capsules in recording history, and we decided to put them to the ultimate test.

We didn’t just talk about them – we recorded an entire hip-hop track with both microphones. In the video below, you can hear a direct, back-to-back comparison of the final vocals in the mix.

The Showdown: What We Heard

After tracking and mixing, the differences were crystal clear (pun intended). Here’s our breakdown of these two fantastic mics.

The WA-87jr SE: Modern Polish & Clarity

This was the clear winner for our track. The “87” sound is all about that top-end clarity and presence.

• The Sound: It has a “polished” sound right out of the box. The transients and treble sit right up front, which is exactly what you want for modern pop and hip-hop vocals.
• In the Mix: It simply “cuts through.” We found it had a “pre-EQed” tone that saved us a ton of extra mixing work. If you want a vocal that sounds close to mix-ready from the moment you hit record, this is your mic.
• The Vibe: As we said in the video, it just gives the performance a different energy. The sound jumps out and demands attention.

The WA-47jr SE: Smoky, Smooth & Warm

The “47” has a completely different, but equally respectable, character. This is the mic you reach for when “polish” isn’t the goal.

• The Sound: This mic is warm. It’s smoky, smooth, and has a rich, full-bodied character. The top end is less detailed and upfront, giving it an almost “filtered” (in a good way!) vintage vibe.
• In the Mix: It sits in the mix differently. While the 87 cuts through it, the 47 blends with it. The information is all there if you want to EQ it, but its natural sound is less aggressive.
• Best For: This would be my first choice for acoustic sessions, soulful rock vocals, or anything where you want character and vibe over sheen and pop.

Which One Did We Choose?

For this specific hip-hop track, the WA-87jr SE was the clear winner. It gave the vocal the energy and clarity it needed to compete with the beat, getting us much closer to a finished sound from the start.

But that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the “better” mic. The WA-47jr SE has a smooth, warm character that I know I’ll be reaching for on future projects. It’s all about the right microphone for the recording.

Now We Want to Hear From You!

After you watch the A/B comparison in the video, let us know which one you preferred!

• Which mic’s sound did you like best for this track?
• Which one would you pick up for your own studio, and why?

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

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