Warm Audio WA-87From real comments

Verdict distilled from 28 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment65%
PROS 65%
CONS 35%

Rank based on 28 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a U87-style warm, detailed vocal sound without Neumann pricing
  • You're using it with a solid preamp or gain-boosting interface chain
  • You value warmth and body over exact vintage U87 accuracy

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need an exact match to a real vintage U87 sound
  • Your interface has limited gain and no preamp upgrade planned
  • You're worried about build/reliability issues like reported glitches

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Lewitt MTP W950
Studio-quality vocal soundMinimal monitor and drum bleedTrusted for regular gig useDistracting large logoHigh price tag
Lewitt MTP W950
Studio-quality vocal sound
Minimal monitor and drum bleed
Trusted for regular gig use
Distracting large logo
High price tag
2Premium
Sennheiser MKH 8040
High Owner SatisfactionExceptional Sound ClarityGreat for Field RecordingHigh PriceNot Omnidirectional / More MuffledUltrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
Sennheiser MKH 8040
High Owner Satisfaction
Exceptional Sound Clarity
Great for Field Recording
High Price
Not Omnidirectional / More Muffled
Ultrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
3Premium
Sennheiser AVX
Reliable, plug-and-play operationClean, distortion-free audioSolid build quality
Sennheiser AVX
Reliable, plug-and-play operation
Clean, distortion-free audio
Solid build quality
4Premium
Lewitt LCT 640
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
Lewitt LCT 640
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
sE Electronics DynaCaster
Strong overall sound qualityVersatile onboard EQ switchesBuilt-in gain boostHigh price for some buyersUncertain added value over existing setupFiddly dip switches
sE Electronics DynaCaster
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
Shure Beta 57A
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
Shure Beta 57A
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
Sennheiser MD 441
Excellent sound on drums and vocalsStriking, attractive designRecognizable, notable reputation
Sennheiser MD 441
Excellent sound on drums and vocals
Striking, attractive design
Recognizable, notable reputation
8Premium
Telefunken ELA M 251
Smooth, warm characterCompetitive with top-tier micsFull-bodied, rich low endHard to distinguish from cheaper alternativesVery high pricePositioning-sensitive
Telefunken ELA M 251
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
MXL V69M
Rivals the Neumann U67Warm, creamy tube toneAttractive appearance
MXL V69M
Rivals the Neumann U67
Warm, creamy tube tone
Attractive appearance
Best value
10Mid
Neumann TLM 193
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
Neumann TLM 193
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
31Mid
Warm Audio WA-87
Warm, detailed soundGreat value vs. real U87/NeumannGood as drum overheadsDoesn't quite match a real U87Inconsistent tonal characterLow output requiring more gain
Warm Audio WA-87
Warm, detailed sound
Great value vs. real U87/Neumann
Good as drum overheads
Doesn't quite match a real U87
Inconsistent tonal character
Low output requiring more gain

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Many users find the WA-87 genuinely warm and detailed, rivaling much pricier mics. Commenters repeatedly describe the WA-87 as clean, crisp, and warm-sounding, with some saying it beats the U87ai or sounds like what a Neumann 'should' sound like. Owners of multiple Warm Audio products call themselves fans with no issues over years of daily use. The R2 version is specifically noted as warmer and bigger with more body and detail than the original WA-87, leading at least one owner to sell the original and keep the R2.

It's not a perfect U87 clone, and tonal character varies between comparisons. Several commenters are explicit that it doesn't sound like a real U87, citing differences in bottom end, midrange, and brightness compared to vintage or AI Neumann units. One person felt the sound wasn't even close to a real U87, while another called it boxy and lacking vintage character next to other clones. Reports also range from 'shockingly dark' to midrangy or overly bright, and four units from one owner reportedly sounded different from each other.

Low output is a common practical complaint requiring extra gain or a better preamp. Multiple owners report needing to max out the gain on interfaces like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 just to get usable signal, prompting questions about whether a cloud lifter or upgraded preamp is needed. This suggests the mic pairs best with higher-gain preamps rather than budget interfaces alone. One user also reported a random gain-clipping glitch on a unit less than a year old, and another questioned amateurish internal construction on early units.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?