Introducing the Warm Audio WA-87jr, WA-87jr SE, and WA-47jr SE
Budget-friendly studio-quality sound offered by Warm Audio through their line of three vintage-styled condenser microphones
Warm Audio, a US-based company known for its high-quality, affordable studio equipment, has expanded its offering with three new additions to its line-up of vintage-inspired condenser microphones: the WA-87jr, WA-87jr SE, and WA-47jr SE.
Background
Warm Audio specialises in creating professional yet budget-friendly studio equipment. The company is renowned for modernising classic microphone and music technology designs and bringing them to the market at an affordable price, often with high-quality components and a professional sound.
Details of the Models
- WA-87jr: A more affordable and compact version of the popular WA-87, which in turn was inspired by the classic Neumann U 87.
- WA-87jr SE: A "Special Edition" of the WA-87jr, which may have different tonal characteristics or additional features.
- WA-47jr SE: The SE variant of the WA-47jr, which is based on the Neumann M 49/50 classic and, like the other models, is designed for a broader audience.
Key Features
Both models in the Junior Series, the WA-87jr and WA-47jr, come bundled with a hardmount and leather storage pouch. The WA-87jr features a large-diaphragm capsule similar to the K87-style dual-backplate capsule found in Warm Audio's WA-87. It benefits from transformerless, low-noise FET circuitry for clean and transparent audio. The WA-87jr offers three adjustable polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8), a 70Hz high-pass filter, and a -10dB pad.
The WA-47jr SE and WA-87jr SE, on the other hand, feature single-backplate versions of their respective capsules and a less versatile fixed cardioid design. They are priced at $199/£199/€219, making them a more affordable option compared to the WA-87jr.
The Junior and Junior Studio Essentials lines are competitively priced, offering an appealing proposition for anyone seeking professional results without a professional price tag. The Junior Studio Essentials series delivers the same tonal profile and high-fidelity signal path as the Junior range but strips back the feature set and reduces the price. This series is designed for musicians, streamers, and podcasters who want "legendary analogue tone" without the need for pattern switching or onboard controls.
Conclusion
All three models have been developed in-house by Warm Audio. They are not licence-built copies, but rather Authentic Homages with their own interpretations of the classic designs – manufactured and sold directly by Warm Audio. The WA-87jr, WA-87jr SE, and WA-47jr SE are set to bring studio-grade sound to a wider audience at accessible prices.
