I think we should reconsider selling ones with Neumann logo. It’s true unit could be resale as original Neumann. However, it’s plenty information online how to spot fake 103, we made a few videos by ourselves to help people be informed. And so I have doubts that anyone will try to do that. When I first started do what I do my first clients were studios owners here in NYC. They had a lot of clients that smoked weed in studio and don’t know how to use recording gear carefully and properly, so idea to replace expensive Neumann equipment with affordable clones just to save studios owners some nerves and money were what created GTZ brand from a ground. I’ve never thought about making exact copy of something to make more money. All my last projects and designs don’t have any reference at all! To be honest I’m proud of it: GTZ9 is our new top seller.

That noise floor difference , in the direct comparison 😮

Wow such a great and sane review! I like that you do proper A/B testing, and that you are not thinking that super expensive microphones sound that much better. This lookalike does sound a lot different, and noise floor is important for a pro. But a person who can not distinguish between them, is better off with the clone probably :D Still, cloning a product is equal to stealing, and it is a true crime.

there is more raspy high end on gtz103 than the original tlm103. also, the original has a more "beefy" mid range and low end, which might just mean the original is probably a more flat response in the mid range as opposed to the gtz103 which might not be as flat. the gtz103 can get a little too crisp on the high end, but depending on one's voice, that raspy-ness might actually help clarity. it's different, but it's pretty dang close. proximity effect is strong on the gtz, creating more mid and bass the closer you get to the mic.

Wow..... In the direct test between the clone and the real Neuman, my ears can't tell much of a difference!!!! You point out the price to performance ration and I think you are right on the money! There are other things like proximity effect and variations in voices or instrument frequencies and ranges that could make a difference, but with your voice it sounded great!!!!! I could easily use the Chinese copy for voice over with no problems! One curious thing I noticed from the test was that some of the compared mikes sounded just as good as the clone!!! People should keep that in mind especially when noting you "tapping" test that revealed a real resonance problem with the clone. Based on that factor, it might be better to go with the non-rattling AT 2020 or Tascam TM-280 (which I'm not familiar with). TERRIFIC COMPARISON!!! Many thanks BIG!!!!!!

To me, the GTZ 103 seems to have a slightly "sculpted" sound. Some will no doubt like the sound, but I tend to prefer a slightly flatter sound. In terms of performance and self noise, I'd say it's relatively close to others in its price range. So if you like the sound, I think it's a fairly safe bet. Just still not sure how to feel about them offering a Neumann branded version. If you like the sound, you might even prefer it over the TLM 103, but I definitely wouldn't say it's a sound-alike to the TLM-103.

There‘s a big difference in the highs. Neumann smooth, Gtz sharp.

Also in other reviews, I've not heard or seen any issues with the screw fitting mechanism, however, that could be luck of the draw with the paint finish. It would be easy to gently wool brush any excess paint layer off the screw thread and then should hopefully tighten up correctly. By all accounts the sound of the GT mics sound very good, given the price. I always hear, the mic sounds harsh, or the eq is different, in terms of mic curve. No mic is perfect and does not need eq and or de-essing on vocals at some stage. Ultimately ask yourself this, for that amazing price and extremely good sound, is anyone going to hear the difference, especially in a mix, would anyone know apart from the buyer and user? No. Finally, I've heard some top mics and other mics around this price point and greater in cost, which sound terrible, these mics sound v good, dare I say a little brighter and richer in the mid range than the Neumann, shock horror, and for 200 bucks or so, saving 3000, or so, imho, it's a no brainer. The mic police won't arrest you for getting it :)

I can hear some unpleasant resonances around 9k in the GTZ, where the TLM is smoother. Also, the TLM is a bit fatter in the mids or low mids. Can't say if it justifies ten times the price, as you said there's a diminishing return with price/performance.

Excellent review. There's another model called the GTZ103+ which is supposed to have an upgraded capsule and is $100 more. I wonder how that one stacks up.

they definitely sound identical, but the GTZ has more noise

I think the GTZ sounds quite nasally in comparison to the Naumann, I think the worker bee was better too!

gtz103 says it's a large diameter condenser microphone, but the diaphragm is only 3/4 inch, not 1 inch like many other so-called large diameter mics. i wonder if the original tlm103 has a larger diaphragm. i haven't seen an actual frequency response for the gtz103, i wonder if anyone has actually tested it and graphed it. in this video, the voice sounded about the same, but if someone had a shrill voice, it might not sound as good, whereas the original might not sound as shrill.

The real 103 definitely sounds boosted a bit from 800-2.2k I bought one off Temu was kinda feeling it fur $25 even recorded a session with it lol

GTZ 103 actually sounded not bad to me. It would've been fine if they took the Neumann TLM 103 design, made it a squircle shape, colored it with the darkest gray, and sold it with a much lower price (considering its build quality). Then the budget consumers will eat it up like the BM-800.

It's not a drastic difference. It's super minimal. A little noise gate will take care of that noise floor. Then every voice is different so EQ your voice how you like it.

Can you give a link to purchase this specific model? I went to a website and there were different types of GTZ103’s.

It sounds very similar to the original with your voice

GTZ103 sound good for a clone

Why didn’t you do a spectral analysis?

To be fair - the TLM103 is a musicians microphone - I really don't understand why any voice over person would look at this microphone unless it is for Disney level productions. the Rode SM7B would suffice for Voice overs. When the TLM103 really shows its literal superiority over other microphones in Audio recording for music. that said - I wonder if an RK47 mod of the GTZ103 would be a possibility

The microphones that GTZ offer on ebay look very similar to microphones that are being offered on Alibaba for considerably less money. I have watched a test of a Chinese TLM 103 copy here on KZfaq and it sounds very similar to the GTZ one at least in my ears.

you cannot tell the difference if only talking, but when you real singing or use it for another purpose... wow, there's a lot of difference. and if you always using real neumann all the time, then you move to this clone, you will frustated.

...... interesting how some other smaller youtube channels who were praising their mics said that the shock mount was metal. I already suspected that they were secretly shilling sponsored products.

In terms of Price difference which one is a SCAM?🤔

So what is the price of the GTZ103 mic, and who is selling them???

I really want that high end crystal clear sound but I dont wanna spend too much

I think these fake and or look alike knock off mics are using standard Karaoke mic capsules which cost about $5 for that component bought in batch of thousands then they put that in a the body.

i must say the owner of gtz is trolling here under few different account names ...

It is possible that it depends on the day in terms of packaging. Another review which is two months older than this one, shows the mics are bubble wrapped. So it is not entirely accurate to say the mic always only comes in just a box. I doubt any seller would just put the mic in a wooden box with no padding, even if they were cutting on packaging costs: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qp91a6x9y53XZmQ.htmlsi=9QbLwvXnxStfQYUK

What do you mean when you say Neumann branded version?

What site did you order from???

Be totally clear: it is not a clone. It is an illegal fake posing in every way as beeing a real Neumann. Regardless of the quality is stealing. These mics end up sold to unknowing people believing they buy the real thing.

No know the intention was to deceive.

there is literally no difference between the tlm 103 and the gtz 103, don't spend an extra 1400 dollars on a placebo effect, imma definitely get one of these

So it's a deceptive brand, breaks the law doing so, pretends to be high quality, but turns out to be the POS I expected it would be. Thanks!

GTZ 103 is one of examples of stealing somebody's intellectual property. Why nobody says that? You would like to record your songs on fake mikes and than don't want these songs to be used by others as "inspiration" (for free)? Think twice!

I think you have done nothing but expose the mic industry. Over rated.

Just another USA scam company. Chinese make better mics.

You talk to much get to the point