Not everybody needs this microphone but for the home recordist looking to “level up” this might be the ticket. It has the solid heft, feel and look of a pro microphone, nothing plastic or phony. The XLR connection feels solid, the workmanship and construction are very good and when you use it with a quality preamp the results are impressive - if you’re a gifted singer, recordings made with this mic will get you noticed.
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| click pict to enlarge |
WHAT IT IS
This is the slimmed down version of the WA-87 model, with no variable pattern controls, no Cinemag output transformer, no attenuation or bass cut switches. This microphone rewards its owner with everything required to record high quality vocal performances.
The model in this review is the lowest priced configuration and currently has a $199 street price. While the mic has some limitations, whether they affect you depends on what you’re trying to do. To use it close up (near your mouth) you will want a pop stopping air blast filter because this is a genuine large diaphragm condenser microphone (it's very sensitive). I was biased against transformerless microphone designs before hearing the Warm Audio WA-47jr which proved to me that this circuitry could not only work, it can sound big, full and dare I say it, WARM. The WA-87jr SE in this review uses a similar circuit design to save cost but the WA designers used a quality capsule (the part that does the heavy lifting in any condenser microphone) to do the listening. While the tone leans on the brighter side of frequency response, this new budget model delivers a pleasing sound profile.
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| click pict to enlarge |
If you are recording vocals you will need to isolate the microphone mechanically. In my studio I put it on a floor based stand with an iron base, I like these because they take up minimal floor space (no tripod legs to trip over). The slightest bump or tap on the stand made a big “boom” in the sound output so you’ll want to position it so you are not EVER physically touching the stand, mic or cable connecting it. If you do all this and sing into the correct side it’s a darn good mic for a bargain price.
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| Close view electronic circuits in WA-87jr SE |
You could use it on drums and I bet it would be great but without the right stands and isolation it would be too much rumble for me. Vocals and guitar amplifiers are the two applications I’d use it on.
LIKES
- Cardioid Only - covers 80% of situations, no switches to set wrong
- The Sound - not exactly like vintage 87 but stands on its own
- Budget Price - affordable
DISLIKES
- No Shock Mount
- Sensitive to mechanical noise on stand or mic cable
- High Frequency Boost
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| Top: WA-87jr SE, Bottom: MXL2001 modded |
COMPARING DIY: Another quality budget microphone model I have is the MXL 2001 (actually I have several from years ago), in all of them I replaced the capsules with premium models from Mic-parts.com. The replacement capsules each cost almost as much as a complete, finished WA-87jr SE, (RK-87 capsule-only at $169 vs WA-87jr complete microphone at $199). Matt from Mic-Parts spoon fed me the replacement installation details, but replacing the capsules was neither easy or simple and it required delicate precision soldering and careful handling. I like the sound from the WA-87jr much better than the modded MXL mics. The WA-87jr just sounds fuller, smoother, richer and better all the way around.
Critics will tell you that most of the sound comes from the capsule in a large diaphragm microphone and I agree to an extent, but the electronics DO matter and Warm Audio did an exemplary job creating the new WA-87jr SE addition to their family of microphones. They got the correct balance between all the elements that make a microphone great -- sound, feel, build, and price. I love low priced gear that makes sound so good that golden ears can't discern the price of the equipment used. (Hint: Recorded results are more about the voice you put in than the mic you use).
My 2005 U-87ai by Neumann is not here for direct comparison but I’ve never been a fan of the sound it produces. To my ears (on my voice) it sounds kind of pinched and bright. The WA-87jr by comparison has a big open, smooth, full sound with a bright lift in the higher frequencies.
I own several of the Warm Audio microphones and most of them are too bright for my old baritone voice. If I could only have one of their microphones it would be the big WA-47 tube model. I don’t like dealing with tube mic power supplies but the WA-47 sounds full without too much boost up in the higher frequencies. With all that said, I could record vocals very effectively with this WA-87jr SE which is under $200.
EPILOGUE
Warm Audio has stayed true to their original path, inexpensive gear that delivers professional performance. You CAN spend a lot more but if what you’re doing is trying to get your music recorded this will probably get it done in a manner as good as you are.
I’ve recorded with a lot of different microphones over the years and what I learned is this: I sound like me regardless of what mic I use, from $25 to $9500, same goes for the preamp, still me… could be tube or solid state, use it with an Opto comp or EQP (price does not matter), all these components deliver recordings that sound like me. Some brands and models flatter my voice more than others but at the end of the day they all are my sound.
If I could have bought one of these WA-87jr SE microphones back in 1977 I would have sounded a whole lot better over the years and I’d probably still be using this mic. It’s a deal and it probably will serve almost every situation a modern home producer will encounter. Combine the WA-87jr SE with the single channel WA-73 preamp and you’re up there in the 95% range, a lot of Grammys have been won with lower priced and poorer sounding gear than these Warm Audio pieces.
I bought this microphone from my super nice Sweetwater Sales Engineer Matt Emick, I paid for it just like any of you reading. When I say nice things about a product it's because of the product not any paid endorsement.
Here are a couple of other Warm Audio gear reviews you might like:
WA-47 Tube and the WA-47jr model compared
WA-73 preamp compared to Neve 1073spx.
Warm Audio WA-73 preamp compared to Behringer 1273 preamp vs. Neve 1073spx
Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!
©December 2025 by Mark King, it is NOT ok to copy or quote without written permission from the author.
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| WA-87jr SE body cover removed |
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| Rear of PC board WA-87jr SE body cover removed |
