The Myburgh M28 is now shipping, and after years of anticipation since its NAMM 2023 debut, it’s time to cut through the hype. This German-built, hand-crafted FET condenser arrives at €4,850 — and it brings something very few modern microphones can honestly claim: it’s completely, unapologetically original.
The high-end mic world is drowning in vintage recreations. Everyone is chasing the C12. Everyone is chasing the U 47. The M28 refuses to play that game — it takes the legendary CK12 capsule and builds something genuinely new around it.
⚡ TL;DR: One of the most genuinely exciting new condenser microphones in years. It’s not a clone, it’s not a recreation — it’s the last design by legendary German mic engineer Andreas Grosser, finally available to the world. But the €4,850 price tag means this one needs to be earned.
The Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Multi-pattern FET capacitor |
| Capsule | German-made CK12 |
| Polar Patterns | Cardioid, Wide Cardioid, Hypercardioid, Omni, Figure-8 |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz–20kHz |
| Max SPL | 134dB (no pad) / 140dB (with -6dB pad) |
| Self-Noise | 15dB(A) |
| Transformer | Custom Pikatron |
| Power | 48V phantom, ~3.2mA |
| Price | €4,850 |
What Myburgh Isn’t Telling You
The Circuit Has a Personality
The M28’s FET amplifier has a level-dependent response. It stays clean and transparent at lower input levels, then introduces subtle second-order harmonic content as you push it harder. That’s not a bug — it’s a deliberately engineered character shift. But Myburgh has barely highlighted it in their marketing, which is worth knowing before you buy.
What it means in practice: this mic will respond differently on a whispered vocal versus a belted-out chorus. For dynamic performers, that could be magic. For engineers who want total predictability, it’s a variable to factor in.
The Low-End Goes Deep — Genuinely
That custom Pikatron transformer isn’t just a spec-sheet talking point. It was deliberately designed to differ from the original C12 transformer, and the result is an extended low-frequency response that starts all the way down at 30Hz. If you’re recording acoustic guitar, grand piano, acoustic bass, or anything that lives in the low-mid range, this mic was built with you in mind.
How Does It Compare?
vs. The Neumann U 47 FET
The Neumann U 47 FET is the natural benchmark here. Same territory, similar investment. But the Neumann leans entirely on its vintage DNA — replicating something beloved. The M28 takes inspiration from the same era and then deliberately steps off the path. If you want history in a bottle, the Neumann wins. If you want something genuinely forward-looking, the M28 makes the stronger argument.
vs. Budget CK12-Style Mics
If you’re still running a budget CK12 clone or an entry-level FET condenser, this is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for — just not at this price. The handcrafted German build, the Pikatron transformer, and the five-pattern switching are in a completely different category from anything in the sub-$300 condenser range. The gap is real, and it’s audible.
Who Should Actually Buy This?
✅ Buy This If…
- You record acoustic piano, upright bass, or classical instruments where low-end detail is everything
- You want a true multi-pattern condenser that earns all five of its pattern options
- You’re a studio engineer who wants a mic with its own distinctive voice — not another clone
- You need a mic that can handle loud sources like drums and brass without distorting (134dB SPL headroom)
❌ Skip This If…
- You already own a Neumann U 47 FET or AKG C414 — the M28 is a different flavour, not a guaranteed upgrade
- Your studio setup is still being built — there are smarter first investments at this budget level
- You need proven, extensively reviewed gear — the M28 is brand new and real-world reports are still coming in
- You’re a home producer just starting out — seriously, check our condenser guide under $100 first
Our Verdict
The Myburgh M28 is the rare microphone that arrives with something genuinely new to say. It doesn’t copy. It doesn’t replicate. It takes the CK12 capsule as a starting point and runs in its own direction — with a level-dependent FET circuit, a custom Pikatron transformer, and five polar patterns that actually serve a purpose. At 134dB SPL headroom, you can point it at a brass section or a live drum kit without breaking a sweat. The 30Hz low-end extension means it reaches places most FET condensers simply can’t.
At €4,850, this isn’t an impulse buy. But for the studio engineer who wants something singular — a mic with its own voice, its own history, and its own future — the Myburgh M28 is exactly that.
💬 Does the Myburgh M28 look like a winner to you, or is €4,850 too steep for a mic without years of real-world reviews behind it? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
