The Tradition Continues: Akg Acoustics Emotion Ii Microphones Set New Standard In Price Vs. Performance
New Emotion II series of microphones offers musicians high-quality AKG sound with equally good looks and ruggedness.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, January 18, 2001 — In a move that has added significant flexibility and quality to the performance of vocals and all types of instruments in live situations, the Emotion II series of dynamic microphones from AKG Acoustics today made their Winter NAMM debut. The Emotion II line builds on the solid foundation laid by the original AKG Emotion series, which has since become AKG's most successful microphone line in history. The new line, featuring three new microphones, continues and expands that legacy of excellence at an affordable price.
The Emotion II series continues to bring AKG standards to a wider range of users, from the entry-level D660S through the more tailored applications of the four other models in the Emotion II line. Taken together, the Emotion II series of dynamic microphones provides an entirely new palette of sounds from the stage, all within reach of a wide range of users.
The AKG D440 and D550 are cardioid dynamic microphones and together they form a formidable one-two punch for bands onstage. The D440 is designed primarily as an
instrument microphone for use on percussion instruments, guitar amps, and wind instruments, etc. The wide frequency response of the D440 favors the mid-frequency and treble regions, ensuring exceptional intelligibility. The D550 is similar in design, but has a frequency range down to 20 Hz, making it perfect for low-frequency instruments such as bass amps, baritone wind instruments, etc. Like all the microphones in the new AKG Emotion II line, both the D440 and D550 are fitted with a shock absorbing outer grill, which also serves as a highly effective windscreen against pops and wind noise. Each microphone offers brilliant transmission quality through the new Varimotion™ membrane technology, while the strong housing and the wire-mesh outer grille provide protection for the dynamic pressure gradient transducer system.
The D660 S is a dynamic microphone with a hypercardioid polar pattern, and is designed for multipurpose instrument and vocal applications for all types of stage use, as well as karaoke applications. The wide frequency response of the D660 S, which emphasizes the mid-frequency and treble regions between 4 and 8 kHz, ensures exceptional intelligibility under the most difficult stage conditions. Furthermore, the very affordable D660 S is fitted with a shock-absorbing inner basket offering a high degree of protection for its high-output Neodymium capsule. The strong die-cast housing and the wire-mesh outer grille provide additional protection for the transducer system. A very effective windscreen that counters the affect of pop/breath noise and sibilance is formed by the outer steel, wire mesh grille; a layer of special textile material; and the inner grille of fine wire-mesh. The D660S also features an on/off switch on the handle.
The AKG D770 is a cardioid dynamic microphone. The D770's high degree of rejection of unwanted sounds make it perfect for vocals and a wide range of instruments. It has all of the same salient features as the D440 and D550, including the elastic Doubleflex suspension of the transducer system. Doubleflex reduces handling and cable noise, as well as high feedback resistance, due to its frequency-independent cardioid polar response.
The D770 also incorporates AKG's patented Varimotion technology as well as a dent-resistant spring steel windscreen technology for transducer protection.
The AKG D880 and D880S are supercardioid dynamic microphones with Varimotion technology, and their design is perfectly suited for vocals. Their supercardioid polar response offers significant rejection of unwanted sound. Like the D770, they are fitted with the new dent-resistant spring steel wire-mesh grill for transducer protection, as well as a strong die-cast housing that provides additional protection. The D880S features a recessed silent ON/OFF switch.
All the AKG Emotion II models (with the exception of the D 660S) feature a standard 3-pin male gold plated XLR-type connector. This connector type is internationally standardized so that it connects using any commercial microphone cable fitted with a female 3-pin XLR-type connector. The Emotion II series employs advanced AKG technologies to reduce handling noise and incorporates AKG's Doubleflex suspension. Additionally, each of the handheld microphones feature an inner pop filter that can easily be removed for cleaning and replacement. In short, the Emotion II series is the answer to any band's needs: an affordable microphone that can take stage abuse and still perform as though it were set up in a recording studio. Only AKG can offer that combination of performance and features in an extremely cost effective line.
AKG has also restyled the line to create not simply the best sounding, but also the most comfortable and best-looking series of price performance microphones in their category. A new more slender shaft provides enhanced ergonomics and an elegant matte black enamel finish reinforces the professional quality of the line.
The AKG Emotion II series is aggressively priced at: D880 ($142.00); D880S ($155.00); D770 ($129.00); D660S ($98.00); D550 ($238.00); and D440 ($198.00).
AKG Acoustics microphones and headphones are manufactured in Vienna, Austria. AKG Acoustics, U.S. markets the full line of AKG Acoustics microphones and headphones for recording, concert, sound reinforcement, commercial sound and broadcast applications. AKG Acoustics, U.S. is part of the Harman International family of companies.