Warm Audio WA-47jrFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 33 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment76%
PROS 76%
CONS 24%

Rank based on 33 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You have a bright, sibilant, or harsh voice needing smoothing
  • You want a warm mic for acoustic guitar, kick drum, or bass cab
  • You want vintage FET character on a tight budget

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a bright, detailed mic for female vocals or drum overheads
  • You want the fuller warmth and roundness of the bigger WA-47
  • You're recording bright electric guitar where 3-4kHz glare is undesirable

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Studio-quality vocal soundMinimal monitor and drum bleedTrusted for regular gig useDistracting large logoHigh price tag
Studio-quality vocal sound
Minimal monitor and drum bleed
Trusted for regular gig use
Distracting large logo
High price tag
2Premium
High Owner SatisfactionExceptional Sound ClarityGreat for Field RecordingHigh PriceNot Omnidirectional / More MuffledUltrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
High Owner Satisfaction
Exceptional Sound Clarity
Great for Field Recording
High Price
Not Omnidirectional / More Muffled
Ultrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
3Premium
Reliable, plug-and-play operationClean, distortion-free audioSolid build quality
Reliable, plug-and-play operation
Clean, distortion-free audio
Solid build quality
4Premium
Post-recording pattern flexibilityVersatile across instrumentsStrong, non-boomy low endPrice barrier for some buyersUnclear M/S and connector design questionsLacking low-mid presence on some vocals
Post-recording pattern flexibility
Versatile across instruments
Strong, non-boomy low end
Price barrier for some buyers
Unclear M/S and connector design questions
Lacking low-mid presence on some vocals
5Mid
Strong overall sound qualityVersatile onboard EQ switchesBuilt-in gain boostHigh price for some buyersUncertain added value over existing setupFiddly dip switches
Strong overall sound quality
Versatile onboard EQ switches
Built-in gain boost
High price for some buyers
Uncertain added value over existing setup
Fiddly dip switches
6Mid
Smoother, clearer vocal sound than SM58/SM57Excellent on acoustic guitarDurable, long-lasting buildCan sound harsh in some applicationsAppearance not universally likedInconsistent noise rejection vs SM57
Smoother, clearer vocal sound than SM58/SM57
Excellent on acoustic guitar
Durable, long-lasting build
Can sound harsh in some applications
Appearance not universally liked
Inconsistent noise rejection vs SM57
7Mid
Excellent sound on drums and vocalsStriking, attractive designRecognizable, notable reputation
Excellent sound on drums and vocals
Striking, attractive design
Recognizable, notable reputation
8Premium
Smooth, warm characterCompetitive with top-tier micsFull-bodied, rich low endHard to distinguish from cheaper alternativesVery high pricePositioning-sensitive
Smooth, warm character
Competitive with top-tier mics
Full-bodied, rich low end
Hard to distinguish from cheaper alternatives
Very high price
Positioning-sensitive
9Premium
Rivals the Neumann U67Warm, creamy tube toneAttractive appearance
Rivals the Neumann U67
Warm, creamy tube tone
Attractive appearance
Best value
10Mid
Natural, unhyped tonePreferred over U87ai in blind testsLow sibilance / smooth highsAudible distortion noted at price pointCan sound muddy or bass-heavyCardioid-only, unlike multi-pattern siblings
Natural, unhyped tone
Preferred over U87ai in blind tests
Low sibilance / smooth highs
Audible distortion noted at price point
Can sound muddy or bass-heavy
Cardioid-only, unlike multi-pattern siblings
You are here
31Budget
Warm Audio WA-47jr
Smooth, tamed high end for vocalsExcellent value for priceGreat on acoustic guitarDarker and less full than the WA-47Brittleness on overheads and piano3-4kHz glare on bright sources
Warm Audio WA-47jr
Smooth, tamed high end for vocals
Excellent value for price
Great on acoustic guitar
Darker and less full than the WA-47
Brittleness on overheads and piano
3-4kHz glare on bright sources

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Vocal performance is the mic's strongest selling point. Multiple users bought the WA-47jr specifically for vocals and reported it tamed sibilance and harshness without sounding muddy after EQ. Commenters with sharp, sibilant, or harsh voices found it forgiving and smooth, letting their voice sound closer to live. It was praised over pricier competitors like the SE 2200T and RODE K2, and paired well with tube preamps for extra warmth.

It excels on acoustic guitar and low-end sources like kick and bass. Several reviewers singled out acoustic guitar as a standout use, describing it as articulate, percussive, and sparkly with strummed or nylon strings. It also performed well as a kick-out mic and on bass cab, with one commenter needing an EQ lift around 50-60Hz for kick drum. Deeper, darker male voices and piano pairs were mentioned as good matches too.

Weaknesses show up on brighter sources and some units disappointed testers. Critics noted a brittleness or 3-4kHz glare on drum overheads, piano, and bright electric guitar, plus one user detecting phase issues in figure-eight mode. Another buyer returned the mic citing lack of clarity and unpleasant mid resonance, finding a cheaper Neat King Bee superior for instruments. Some also felt it was noticeably darker and less warm/round than the full-size WA-47.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?