Considering a pair of Lautens retail for about the price of one SM81, I think the Lautens have a clear advantage. I hear a slightly more appealing snare shape with the SM81 alone, but when the close pics are added in, the 2 setups are very close. I'm convinced to purchase a pair of LA120's for myself. Thanks for the video!

The SM81 is a transformer coupled mic, the LA120 is transformerless. Transformerless mics are almost always going to better catch transients and be perceived as clearer with a small lift in the high end. Choosing one or the other usually depends where your instrument sits in a mix, background, solo, etc...how much detail of the instrument you need. The 81s here had a more silky smooth flavor without being dull, the 120s had the typical high end hype of a transformerless. Both can be made to sound virtually the same with eq. Here, I believe I preferred the 81's with the kick and snare mic combo...but not by that much.

they both sounds really different and have theirs pros and cons... but I wasn't expecting the shure to sound so much darker. The Lauten are really crisp, maybe a bit much for some situation. The shure just sound more balanced. But for the price, worth to look into it.

Very similar but I hear more topend with the Lauten's, definitely noticeable with good headphones. That can be good or bad depending the room, kit and/or the drummer. Good job on the video.

great snare sound

Lauten Audio FTW all day. having both the low and high cut switches makes them so versatile!

Awesome video thanks 🙏 They are both nice mics. The LA-120's were really good and are bit of a no brainer although the SM81's sound great and definitely worth pursuing as a upgrade. If I could only have one pair, SM81's would be the go for me.

your room sounds great...

I am assuming that you didn't engage any of the filters with the LA120's? That can make a pretty big difference. I heard another demo where he went through the various patterns available through the LA filters, pretty big difference and tamed those higher sibilances pretty quickly.

The Lautens make the cymbals sound almost a little harsh to me. The SM81s give a more balanced representation of the kit to my ears. Nevertheless the LA120s seem to be a great choice for the price. I consider buying a pair because of the included omni-capsules. Also I would like to hear them with the high-shelf in.

The Lautens are much more 3d and open sounding.

Lauten! 😎

I liked the Shure not only because of the sound but also because because it didn't have the hyped highs. Yes, it gives the illusion of less 3D sound. But that will help immensely in a live environment.

LA120 sound pretty hyped in the HF - not a fan - would sooner go for Oktava 012

I didn't really like any of them, but the Lauten was downright awful.....