Description

The Telefunken M81 rounds out the brand’s dynamic mic lineup, built as a companion to the popular M80 rather than a replacement. It keeps the traits that made the M80 a go-to for vocals and snare – low proximity effect, strong feedback resistance, and a present midrange – but dials back the high-frequency emphasis for a flatter, more balanced response overall.

That tuning choice makes the M81 particularly good at two jobs: smoothing out sources that already run bright (think aggressive vocalists or edgy guitar amps) and adding weight to sources that need more low-mid heft, like congas, brass, or floor toms. It’s a mic built to be reached for constantly rather than saved for one instrument.

Cosmetically, the M81 shares its flint gray body and tri-chrome grille with Telefunken’s R-F-T AR-51, and the two were voiced to work together – especially on electric guitar cabinets, where pairing them gives you two complementary perspectives on the same source.

This unit is listed as open box, graded mint – fully functional and visually like-new, just without factory-sealed packaging.