MXL v87 Microphone Price, Specs, Reviews & Discussions

About the MXL v87 mic

The MXL v87 is a large diaphragm condenser mic suitable for many applications.
The MXL v87 is modeled after the Nuemann U87 and, at least on paper, it tries to mimic the characteristics of the U87. It aims to capture some of that familiar balance of warmth and clarity without straying into harshness. This works surprisingly good. The high-ends are crisp without being too sharp and the low-ends are full without being muddy.

The MXL v87 is also a very quiet. In fact, it's one of MXL's most quiet mics, which makes it a great mic for voice-over/voice-acting gigs.
It also tends to be forgiving when it comes to mic technique, which is very handy if you’re doing voice-overs or podcasts where you can’t always stay locked in at the same distance and angle. The proximity effect is also minimal.

Sonically, the V87 leans warm and natural, which gives it a versatility that suits many applications. Vocals come through with a pleasing fullness and without exaggerated sibilance, and acoustic guitar and piano recordings benefit from its clarity in the mids. Its low proximity effect means you can work the mic up close without the bass turning boomy, a trait that adds intimacy for spoken word recording. The self-noise is impressively low for a mic in this price range, so you won’t have to fight hiss or background hum when tracking quieter material.

Specs back up these impressions: it uses a 32mm gold-sputtered capsule, runs on standard 48V phantom power, and offers a cardioid pickup pattern with a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency response. With a maximum SPL of 136 dB, it can handle louder sources without breaking up, though most people buying it will likely be using it for vocals and acoustic instruments rather than drum kits or amps. Its signal-to-noise ratio of 85.5 dB helps explain why it’s one of MXL’s quieter designs. At just over a pound in weight, it feels solid without being cumbersome on a stand.

Design-wise, the V87 is straightforward but not flashy. It’s nickel-plated and feels sturdy in the hand, though its looks won’t turn heads compared to some of MXL’s more distinctive models. Where it makes up for that is in the included accessories: you get a shock mount, a hard mount, and a well-fitting metal pop filter. Oddly, MXL doesn’t ship it with a carrying case, something they usually include even with their cheaper mics. The bundled shock mount works, though some might find it a little undersized for the mic’s body, and swapping it out for a larger mount isn’t a bad idea if you want extra stability.

In the end, the MXL V87 is not a flagship studio mic, but it fills a practical role for project studios and voice work. It offers a clean, warm capture that flatters many voices, paired with accessories that cover most of what you’ll need to get started. If you’re building your first studio, the price might be a bit higher than entry-level options like the MXL 770 or 990, but the jump in sound quality and lower noise floor could make it worth stretching for. If you already have some recording experience and want a reliable, quiet mic for vocals, podcasts, or acoustic instruments, the V87 is a strong candidate to consider.

For a solid review of the MXL v87, watch the video below. It has great details on the pros and cons of the mic and whether you should pick it up.

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Technical Specs

MXL v87 Mic user manual

MXL v87 Prices*

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Amazon USA

119.95 USD

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