Popping again into Andertons felt like visiting household. Lee Anderton and I slipped straight into that acquainted British banter about whether or not it’s “schedule” or “shedule,” “envelope” or “onvelope,” and if anybody right here really says “one twenty-one.” However behind the jokes, we have been there for one thing critical — a blind shootout. No bias, no labels, simply two ribbon mics, an SM57, and our ears.
Setting the Scene
We needed to learn the way the brand-new Heat Audio Fen-tone holds up in opposition to the business favorite Royer R-121— each paired with a Shure SM57, positioned exactly the identical distance from the centre of a Celestion Alnico Goldspeaker.
Every setup was equivalent: similar cab, similar amp, similar efficiency, similar mic positioning. We recorded two takes, labelled A and B. Neither of us knew which was which. It was a real blind comparability — no preconceptions, simply tone.
The Lineage Behind the Mic
Regardless of its modest measurement, the unique Bang & Olufsen BM3 ribbon mic looms massive in recording historical past. Within the US it was imported by Fenton and bought because the Fen-tone, which is the identify Heat Audio have revived. The brand new mannequin pays devoted homage to the BM3’s silhouette — even maintaining the ornamental “collar” across the base — whereas including fashionable practicality.
Beneath the grille, Heat Audio have opted for good engineering decisions somewhat than museum-grade replication. The ribbon is comprised of pure aluminium, not the alloy utilized in classic fashions, and it’s mounted dead-centre for a real figure-8 sample. Meaning it may double fantastically in a Blumlein pair or because the “facet” in an
M-S setup.
And right here’s the trendy twist: the Fen-tone can run passive or energetic, due to a fixed-gain inside preamp that provides a clear 26 dB increase when phantom energy is utilized. That’s a critical benefit in case your preamp doesn’t supply plenty of acquire otherwise you’re operating lengthy cable runs.
On paper, Heat quote a frequency response of 30 Hz–15 kHz (±3 dB), with a delicate carry round 2 kHz and a easy roll-off above 10 kHz — basic ribbon territory.
The Blind Take a look at Begins
Lee performed a fantastically refreshed PRS Singlecut 594 — up to date by Paul Reed Smith himself — via a easy overdrive setup, using the guitar quantity to go from chime to push.
We sat again and listened blind.
Each mixtures sounded wonderful, however Mic B caught our consideration nearly instantly. The low finish felt flatter and extra even — much less lumpy, extra pure — and the general tone nearer to what we have been listening to within the room. Mic Asounded nice, however B simply sat extra comfortably within the combine, with the ribbon and 57 seeming to “click on” collectively.
Then we pushed into extra pushed territory. Variations narrowed, however B nonetheless held its composure, with a balanced low finish and a coherent picture.
When the reveal got here, it shocked at the least considered one of us.
Mic B was the Heat Audio Fen-tone.
Mic A was the Royer R-121.
What We Heard
Soloing the person mics defined the chemistry. The SM57 introduced its ordinary midrange chunk and presence — the sound of numerous data. The ribbon added width and heat, the low-end glue that makes a guitar tone really feel completed.
The R-121 sounded a contact extra fashionable and hi-fi by itself — excellent as a solo mic. The Fen-tone, in the meantime, introduced an excellent, cooperative low finish that blended effortlessly with the 57. It didn’t hype or smear, it simply sat proper.
In that sense, the Fen-tone wasn’t a replica of the Royer’s refinement however a return to the sleek, balanced sound of the unique BM3. In a mixture, that even low finish and secure section relationship make life a lot simpler.
Measured Actuality
In broader testing, the Fen-tone aligns intently with the BM3 between 100 Hz and 10 kHz — precisely the place a lot of the musical motion lives. The very lowest octave (beneath 80 Hz) could be a little softer than some fashionable designs, however in energetic mode the bass response tightens up.
It’s additionally impressively quiet in each modes, and whereas Heat’s quoted output impedance of 300 Ω measured nearer to 600 Ω on our unit, it made no audible distinction. Passive sensitivity is completely wholesome, and the built-in acquire stage is genuinely clear — not the hissy circuit you typically discover in cheaper energetic ribbons.
Construct and Worth
You get a tricky Peli-style case and a easy clip. No shockmount, however a good branded mic sock for cover. The Fen-tone is smaller and lighter than both the BM3 or the Royer, partly as a result of its shell metallic is thinner. And sure, it’s very shiny.
Heat Audio have constructed a popularity for honouring classics and maintaining costs affordable. The Fen-tone isn’t fairly the discount that a few of their different releases are, sitting round mid-range for a contemporary ribbon. Nonetheless, none of its rivals — not even the Extinct Audio BM9, Royer R-10 or Samar AL95 — supply this mix of BM3 styling and switchable energetic circuitry.
Key Takeaways from the Blind Shootout
1 The SM57 nonetheless guidelines for immediacy and reduce.
2 The Fen-tone blends fantastically with it, giving roundness and dimension with out mud.
3 Blind, each sounded skilled — you wouldn’t know which was which with out labels.
4 The Fen-tone’s even low finish makes it very mix-friendly, particularly when layering guitars or becoming round bass.
5 The energetic mode is a bonus, saving you an inline preamp and maintaining noise low.
Ultimate Ideas
This was no sponsored demo and no setup was weighted in favour of 1 mic. It was a correct blind shootout — two engineers listening, reacting and solely studying which mic was which after forming our opinions.
The end result? Heat Audio’s Fen-tone genuinely impressed. It delivers the smoothness of a real ribbon, the reliability of recent engineering, and the flexibleness of energetic or passive operation — all whereas staying devoted to the understated appeal of the unique Bang & Olufsen BM3.
In case you already love your Royer, preserve loving it. However in order for you one thing that nails the basic ribbon really feel, pairs completely with a 57, and performs fantastically underneath blind circumstances, the Heat Audio Fen-tone completely earns its identify again from historical past.
Large due to Lee and the whole Andertons crew for the hospitality, the humour, and the honesty. Depart your ideas beneath — which mic would you choose blind?
Test Out The Heat Audio Fen Tone: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/7aYX1r
Test Out Royer Labs R-121: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/OrRjWr
Test Out Shure SM 57: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k0g3Lx
Speaker Used: Celestion Alnico Goldspeaker
