5 Best Ribbon Mics for Natural and Warm Sound in 2023
Are you tired of the cold, clinical sound of modern condenser microphones? Do you crave that vintage warmth and smoothness that only ribbon mics can provide? Look no further! In this blog post, we will introduce you to the 5 best ribbon microphones on the market today.
We’ve put our ears through hours of listening before narrowing it down to these 5 best ribbon mics that will make your every penny worthwhile. From the most famous ribbon mic to the ribbon mic with the best sound quality, we’ve got you covered.
And don’t worry about breaking the bank, because we’ve also included the most value-for-money ribbon mic and the most affordable ribbon mic that still delivers that lifelike, natural sound.
So sit back and get ready to unravel the silky smooth sounds of the ‘ribbon mic’ as we take a deep dive into our list of the 5 best ribbon mics out there.
Table of Contents
What are the 5 Best Ribbon Mics in 2023?
Here is the list of the 5 best ribbon microphones out there today:
1. Royer R-121 – Most Famous Ribbon Microphone of All Time
Why would you want this ribbon mic?
You have too much money and don’t know what to spend it on (just kidding). You want a timeless and iconic ribbon microphone that can last for ages.
Product Info
- Polar pattern: Figure-8
- Circuit Type: Passive ribbon
- Power requirements: N/A
- Frequency Response: 30 Hz to 15,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: -47 dBV/Pa (4.47 mV/Pa) @1kHz
- Max SPL: 135 dB
- Output Connection: XLR, 3-pin, male
- Weight: 8.6oz (244g)
- Accessories: Protective wooden case, mic sock
Pros
Cons

Royer R-121
2. Beyerdynamic M 160 – Best Ribbon Mic for a Full, Rich Sound
Why would you want this ribbon mic?
You want a ribbon microphone with strong, dark low tones as well as bright and detailed high ends, giving you a rich sound.
Product Info
- Polar pattern: Hypercardioid
- Circuit Type: Passive double ribbon
- Power requirements: N/A
- Frequency Response: 40 Hz to 18,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: -60 dBV/Pa (1 mV/Pa) @1kHz
- Output Connection: XLR, 3-pin, male
- Weight: 156g
- Accessories: Mic clamp with 5/8 to 3/8 inch adapter, storage pouch
Pros
Cons

Beyerdynamic M 160
3. sE Electronics Voodoo VR2 – Best Ribbon Mic for capturing Upper Frequencies
Why would you want this ribbon mic?
You want a ribbon microphone with a vintage sound that can also capture high tones clearly, almost like condenser mics but not overly bright.
Product Info
- Polar pattern: Figure-8
- Circuit Type: Active ribbon
- Power requirements: +48V phantom power
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 18,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: -37 dBV/Pa (14.1 mV/Pa) @1kHz
- Max SPL: 135 dB (0.5% THD @ 1kHz)
- Output Connection: XLR, 3-pin, male
- Weight: 360g
- Accessories: Wooden case, shock mount, dust cover, mic stand clip with 5/8 to 3/8 inch adapter
Pros
Cons

sE Voodoo VR2
4. Sterling ST170 – Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Ribbon Mic
Why would you want this ribbon mic?
You don’t want to splurge but want the most value out of every dollar you are paying for a ribbon mic. And you also want a ribbon mic that is great for on-the-go kind of work.
Product Info
- Polar pattern: Figure-8
- Circuit Type: Active ribbon
- Power requirements: +48V phantom power
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: -35.9 dBV/Pa (16 mV/Pa) @1kHz
- Max SPL: 132 dB
- Output Connection: XLR, 3-pin, male
- Weight: 11.4oz (320g)
- Accessories: Aluminum carry case, aluminum/zinc shock mount
Pros
Cons

Sterling ST170
5. MXL R144 – Most Affordable Ribbon Mic
Why would you want this ribbon mic?
You want to get your hands and feet wet in the world of ribbon mics and want to get an affordable one to try out.
Product Info
- Polar pattern: Figure-8
- Circuit Type: Passive ribbon
- Power requirements: N/A
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 17,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: -56 dBV/Pa (1 mV/Pa) @1kHz
- Max SPL: 130 dB
- Output Connection: XLR, 3-pin, male
- Weight: 0.85 lbs (400g)
- Accessories: Hard plastic case, shock mount
Pros
Cons

MXL R144