Lauten Audio Series Black LA-220 V2 Review: What you need to know before buying

Customer Review Summary

The Lauten Audio Series Black LA-220 V2 is undoubtedly one of the most capable FET microphones available in its price range of up to €500. After three weeks of consistent testing, it has surpassed my expectations in terms of build quality and features. The unique combination of a high-pass filter at 120Hz and a low-pass filter at 12kHz allows for effective sound shaping prior to the preamp, particularly excelling as a mono overhead for drum recordings.

When used on vocals, I found the flat mode (without the high-pass and low-pass filters) more suitable for two different male voices. However, the low-pass filter can impart a classy and warm vintage mic feel when paired with the right preamp and voice, although it may yield somewhat muted results with cleaner interface preamps. My experience with an acoustic nylon-string guitar (high-pass on, low-pass off) was particularly impressive, making the LA-220 my favourite among the large-diaphragm condenser mics I have tested, including the Lewitt LCT 940 and LCT 440.

In direct comparison with the Lewitt LCT 440, while the latter offers a transparent and clean sound, the LA-220 takes a different approach. It sounds bright and modern but is more restrained in the highs and upper mids, with a more prominent bass response and rounder transients. The gentle representation of sibilance on vocals truly stood out when compared directly to the LCT 440, varying with different voices. As a drum overhead, the filter options provide distinct results; the low-pass filter delivers just the right amount of brightness for cymbals without sounding dull, unlike the LCT 440, which can sometimes be overly sharp and requires significant EQ adjustments.

Overall, I find the LA-220 to be significantly more coloured and less clean than its counterparts, which may be exactly what one needs depending on the situation—especially as a vocal mic and as an alternative to much more expensive studio mics. The hand-tuned 32mm transducer imparts a gentle compression and balance, making it stand out from other classic mics in the same price range. The sound is smooth, yet not overly dull, and the brightness and wide sound it produces complement my voice exceptionally well. While I would prefer a slightly lower high-pass filter, the microphone performs wonderfully as is. I highly recommend testing and purchasing this microphone, particularly given its exceptional price point.