Sound On Sound review the AKG Perception 820 Tube

“Given its reasonable price and the fact that you get a sturdy shockmount thrown in, the Perception 820 ticks all the right boxes for the project studio owner who wants a tube mic that can turn its hand to just about anything, and the build quality is hard to fault”.

The brand-new AKG Perception820 Tube delivers real tube sound quality. It is not only the new flagship model of the Perception Series but it also raises the bar in its class of affordable tube microphones. Sound On Sound magazine give their verdict…

“So what does it actually sound like? Overall, the Perception 820 has the characteristic warmth of a typical tube mic, augmented by a presence bump…suggesting that this mic will perform well in any application where clarity is of paramount importance”.

“The presence peak certainly helps lift vocals out of a mix if they lack projection”.

“The Perception 820 certainly proved itself a capable all-rounder within its price range, and if you’re prepared to use a little EQ when needed, it’s capable of good results on acoustic guitar and percussion. It scored well in our spoken-word tests, too”.

“The Perception 820 is a high-quality tube mic that can be used with just about any source…”.

To read the full review pick up the August Issue of Sound On Sound Magazine (Volume 25, Issue 10) on sale now. The AKG Perception 820 is available now at £552.25 RRP.

Further Links

• AKG Perception 820 Tube product page
• View an AKG Perception 820 overview courtesy of SOS
• Sound On Sound magazine website