Beyerdynamic recently updated all their "M-series" mics. The M88 now gets a different grille, all other M-series have only cosmetic changes.
They have essentially gone back to the older M88 design with one coarse and one fine steel mesh and no foam. Pop filtering is less effective, but clarity for vocals is improved. There is more handling noise than more modern vocal mics but the HPF mostly fixes it. The front half of the grille is held on with 3 screws and on the old model these sometimes came out and the grille fell apart esp. on kick drum. Beyer have spares and you can use thread locking compound. It still has the heavy brass handle, coil and humbucking coil. Build quality is first class but the mic clip is all plastic, IMO needs a brass insert for the thread.
It has a better vocal sound than a 58 with less EQ and very good feedback rejection. Neodymium magnet produces high output. I've been using some pretty good vocal condenser, but when I tried the new M88 I couldn't believe how good it was! I would buy these for every singer if they were not so expensive. It is also well known how good the M88TG is for kick, snare, toms, guitar, bass cab, brass, woodwinds and more. For kick drum then definitely buy the WS59 wind screen to protect it.
Just a pity they've almost doubled in price in a year.
