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Reviews For: YAESU MD 100A8X Dexk-Top Microphone w/Tone Control

Category: Microphones for ham radio

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Review Summary For : YAESU MD 100A8X Dexk-Top Microphone w/Tone Control
Reviews: 93MSRP: $125.50 @ R&L Electronics
Description:
Yaesu, traets this as their top-of -the-line high end Mic, and as well they should. I have used Heil, Sure ICOM and other various microphones, which are from stand alone to hand mics, not that I'm the expert. But from the time I have incorporated the MD 100, the audio reports have been nothing less than "Excellent", so I'll let nealry 400 QSOs, from the mics use speak for themself! I use one for HF and the other for UHF/VHF with assured audio quality. W8DMC
Product is in production
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# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15934.6
EI4GMB Rating: 2010-07-16
Best in thru,off or neutral positions!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the MD-100A8X as a companion desk microphone for my Yaesu FT-920 transceiver. It is an excellent microphone and gives superb 'Heil-like' sounding broadcast audio when used with an appropriate radio equalisation or voice contour setting!!! The best A8X mic. settings for my particular FT-920 set-up were those in the neutral, thru or off positions! However, the microphone's active settings produced no noticeable improvement in the overall audio quality and in some instances even degraded it!!!
Apart from this,I would highly recommend the MD-100A8X.
It is an ideal Yaesu companion desk mic. and provides truly excellent on-air audio!!!
KD6HUC Rating: 2010-07-15
Worth the money Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
It works well on my FT-450 Yaesu rig and almost as well on my FT-897. The only difference is the functionality on scan button. I was a little confused as to why the cord connecting mic to base had to be so long. It creates more of the clutter I was trying to eliminate by buying a desk mic!
Also, the scan button mine came out of the box with a scan button that seemed loose and wobbly. It is easily an equal to my Goldline from Heil, but is more functional with Yaesu rigs than the heil. Incidentally, I swapped out the HC-5 element in my Pro Set Plus and am very happy with the new element. Oddly, it came out of a Kenwood KMC-21 speaker microphone! Sorry to get so far off the review on THIS mic though. It is worth 120-130 bux new and probably 75-90 used and well worth it especially for rigs that it FULLY functions with...
KC0GSB Rating: 2010-04-08
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Another reason not to spend really big bucks for a decent microphone. When recorded through a mixer to the computer, the sound quality does not quite compare to the more expensive studio types. On the radio though, it's very hard to tell any difference. This is an excellent radio microphone. It matches the Yaesu radios and can control the frequency too. Even with a 1500W amp glowing tubes just a few feet away, it works without fault. Every audio report I have received when using it has been good.
K4SPS Rating: 2009-12-03
Heil rival Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This Yaesu mic is great. It currently hangs from a boom that was home fabricated from a reclaimed thrift store 'elbow-style' desk-lamp arm and an old pedestal fan stand ($2.95).

With the VOX set on my FT-450 and the on-board equalizer and processor appropriately set, I enjoy hand's free operation and receive nothing but excellent signal reports (finally). As is apparent, this mic is tuned to these modern Yaesu radios. I have nothing but excellent things to say about this microphone! This combination has solved my audio problems once and for all. K4SPS
K2OWR Rating: 2009-11-10
Not for me Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This microphone would be much better suited to a recording studio than for ham radio. I got one when I bought my FT950 and had been told this mic was the most suitable for this particular radio. As a former studio engineer, my "ear" for sound quality is pretty well tuned, and I must admit the MD100 would likely be a great mic for recording vocals in the studio. The problem is that for radio communications it has completely the wrong characteristics. It does not have enough gain, lacks the kind of "punch" needed for SSB, and the all important mid-range for communications is almost non existant. Fortunately, the Yaesu FT950 has an amazing range of adjustments and I was able to finally make it sound good and get my PEP up to a reasonable level, but by the time I accomplished this, I had dialed in so much equalization and processing it was ridiculous. I don't recommend this mic for any ham use. BTW, I finally got an old Shure 444 and with no processing of any kind, I was able to sound great with lots of talk power.
G8KHS Rating: 2009-06-07
Works well for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used this mic with the FT990 & FT857D and received nothing but compliments on the audio.

I consider it good value compared to it's much more expensive brother the MD200 and at least it's reliable unlike modern Icom mics.


Recommended highly, good product Yaesu.

73 John G8KHS
YO3IBW Rating: 2009-05-09
Not very bright for the price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've tested this microphone with a Yaesu FT950.What can I say, very sensitive device, not very well balanced in the vocal frequency (at least for my voice). To many low frequency's for my taste ( I don't smoke, hi), the eq in the FT950 didn't do much. Better grab a cheap professional dynamic mike it's gonna do a better job.

73's de YO3IBW Dan.
KC5LDO Rating: 2009-02-14
excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a new FT-950 in December and got the MD100 mic to go with it. I don't think I could have made a better choice. I have it set to the "thru" position with the FT-950. Audio is loud and clear with excellent reports. Everyone I talk to regularly say I sound like myself and I have the EQ turned off in the radio. PROC is set at 25% and mic gain at 12o' clock. It's a good looking,great sounding microphone. 73,James
KF6UME Rating: 2008-11-03
Well built, nicely styled desk mic. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently upgraded the stock mic on my FT-857D to the MD-100A8X. My purchase was from HRO in Anaheim for about $130. Worth every penny. It looks great on my desk. I've received several unsolicited compliments while using FM repeaters.

For FM, I'm using the "High Emphasis" filter for a little added punch and clarity. My voice is mid-range, so the low end cutoffs weren't necessary. I haven't used it on SSB yet.

One neat feature is the reversible mic cord. It is also compatible with the stock hand mic cord, which you can unplug from the hand mic and stick directly into the MD-100's base. Also, the "lock" feature is nice for longer ramblings and multi-tasking during a key-down.

Nice job Yaesu!
KI4CRA Rating: 2008-11-03
Super Microphone Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'm on my second MD 100 mic, let the first one go in a trade, shame on me. Managed to pick one up with a Yaesu FT-920, what a great combination! From having had one for about 2 yrs. when I let my previous one go I kinda kicked my self in the rear for letting it go, It even worked well on my 746Pro. I only was without the MD100 for only 3 months, what a long 3 months to do with out a great mic.

I noticed that one of the previous posts noted that he didn't care for the mic nor the 920, I think it may have been in part to not having had the microphone settings in the 920's menu. Menu U 51 mic EQ should be turned off, on the MD100 the filter should be on, high emphasis should be turned on, and low cut #2 should be selected.

This microphone and the 920 are a great pair when used properly. I am getting unsolicited comments about my audio. I consistently getting great audio reports. Its usually S-9+ reports, don't always get through on the first try, but usually the second. The MD100A8X microphone is really super in my shack! 73 all see you on the air!



73 de Mark
AI4HO