ORIGINAL STATE - Revox - M 3500 1980S - CARDIOID INSTRUMENT DYNAMIC - XLR

Exceptionally preserved Revox M 3500 dynamic microphone with original accessories and matching documentation.

SERIAL NUMBER
051532

OPTICAL CONDITION
A — Exceptional / close to mint

The microphone itself presents remarkably close to new. The black finish, grille and markings are exceptionally well preserved, with virtually no visible exterior wear. Only minimal evidence of use can be seen inside the connector.

TECHNICAL CONDITION
A — Fully functional and tested

Tested at MICSTERLAB with clean, stable output and strong directional behaviour. The original serial-matched frequency-response documentation is also present.

THIS LISTING INCLUDES

Revox M 3500 microphone
Original Revox case WITH New custom-cut internal case foam
Original Revox microphone holder
Original Revox table stand
Original frequency-response documentation — serial matched
NEW protective microphone bag

MODEL DESCRIPTION

The M 3500 is one of those microphones where the name on the outside tells only half the story.

Revox was the consumer-facing audio brand of the Swiss Studer organization, famous for its exceptionally engineered tape machines. For the M 3500, however, Revox turned to another major name in professional German audio: Beyerdynamic.

Beyerdynamic confirms that the M 3500 was manufactured exclusively for Revox and developed from the M 201 N(C)platform. It was not simply a rebadged M 201. 

A DIFFERENT M 201

The most important difference is electrical.

While the contemporary M 201 N(C) used a 200 Ω voice coil together with a passive filter that gently reduced its presence region, the Revox M 3500 received a 600 Ω voice coil and omitted this filtering.

The result, according to Beyerdynamic, is a somewhat brighter, more direct microphone than the flatter M 201 N(C). Even the acoustic construction differs slightly: the M 3500 uses five rear acoustic openings rather than the six found on the M 201 N(C) of the period. 

That makes the M 3500 more interesting than a simple Revox-branded M 201. It is a genuine Beyerdynamic variation on the design.

BUILD & DESIGN

The construction is beautifully simple: a long, slim black cylindrical body terminating in a flat metal grille.

Its proportions could easily suggest a small-diaphragm condenser, yet inside is a completely passive moving-coil system. There are no switches or external controls — simply microphone, grille and connector.

The dedicated Revox holder is unusually rigid and closely fitted. Its faceted internal shape grips the microphone extremely firmly once seated, creating an exceptionally secure mount.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

The original response documentation accompanying this particular microphone carries the same serial number: 051532.

Its individual curve shows a broadly controlled response with a noticeable presence region through roughly 3–7 kHz, reaching its highest point around 4 kHz. A smaller upper-frequency rise appears around 10 kHz, before the response begins its more substantial descent above approximately 15 kHz.

SOUND

Our listening impression follows that story.

The M 3500 sounds articulate, detailed and open for a dynamic microphone. Its overall balance is controlled, but small areas of upper-frequency emphasis give it a slightly heightened, almost condenser-like clarity.

At very close distance we also hear a degree of density or saturation — not quite neutral, but lively and immediate. The microphone was not judged solely as a close-speech microphone, however, and its balance should become more natural as working distance increases.

It is a dynamic microphone with some personality rather than one attempting to disappear completely.

THIS EXAMPLE

This is an unusually complete and beautifully preserved M 3500.

Beyond the near-mint microphone itself, the original Revox case, dedicated holder, table stand and serial-matched response documentation have survived together.

The case has been carefully cleaned and its deteriorated internal support replaced with new custom-cut foam at MICSTERLAB, giving the complete system a clean and secure presentation once again.

THE REVOX STUDIO DYNAMIC

A Revox on the outside, a Beyerdynamic at its core — but not simply an M 201 wearing another badge.

The 600 Ω voice coil, altered acoustic construction and more exposed presence response make the M 3500 a distinct branch of one of Beyerdynamic's classic dynamic microphone designs.