REFURBIESHED - VINTAGE - Beyerdynamic M 55 - 1967 - XLR

The Beyerdynamic M 55 was part of the company’s early dynamic microphone line, designed as a reliable workhorse for speech, broadcast, and light music applications. Compact in size but solid in build, it shows the qualities that would define Beyerdynamic’s reputation for stage and studio microphones.

OPTICAL CONDITION
Excellent light surface scratches only.

TECHNICAL CONDITION
Fully working. Capsule and electronics perform flawlessly. Converted to standard XLR

BUILD & DESIGN

The M 55 is a slim and elegant stick-style dynamic microphone, produced with a clean metallic finish and a durable steel mesh head. Inside, it uses a moving-coil capsule, engineered to capture a clear and present midrange response. The body construction is sturdy and practical, typical of Beyerdynamic’s design philosophy of the period. Originally fitted with a small Tuchel connector, this example has been professionally converted to XLR for modern usability without altering the original look.

This microphone is generally a high-impedance design (around 500–600Ω). While it works perfectly well with modern preamps, it clearly benefits from being paired with higher input impedance settings, or vintage-style preamps with adjustable loading.

When the load impedance is set too low, the system can become electrically damped — in extreme cases, this can even create opposing electromagnetic forces that slightly restrict diaphragm movement, particularly affecting the high-frequency response.

On this specific model, however, these effects only become clearly audible at very low impedance settings, so it remains quite forgiving in practical use.

If you have access to a preamp with selectable impedance, it’s definitely worth experimenting — higher impedance settings will allow the microphone to open up more naturally.

That said, it still performs well at 200Ω, delivering a solid and usable signal with good gain structure and sufficient high end extension!

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: Dynamic, moving-coil
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency Response: approx. 60 Hz – 12,000 Hz
• Output Connection: Balanced, converted to XLR
• Impedance: 600 Ω

SOUND CHARACTERISTICS

The M 55 delivers a warm and focused tone, with an emphasis on midrange clarity. Its low-end is naturally rolled off, which helps to reduce rumble and handling noise, making it especially useful for speech and close-miked vocals. The top end is smooth, without excessive brightness, giving the microphone a natural and vintage character. In music production, it can find use for guitar cabinets, harmonica, or lo-fi vocal takes when a 1960s broadcast flavor is desired.

Estimated Frequency Response:
60 Hz – 12,000 Hz

• Gentle low roll-off below 100 Hz
• Presence lift around 3–5 kHz
• Smooth decline above 10 kHz

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