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Reviews For: Yaesu MD-200 Hi-Fi Desktop Microphone

Category: Microphones for ham radio

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Review Summary For : Yaesu MD-200 Hi-Fi Desktop Microphone
Reviews: 53MSRP: $399.00
Description:
Yaesu Newest Desktop Microphone, Hi-Fi
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00534.6
KE4AMQ Rating: 2022-02-27
Works well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Lets see I use it on several radios. Aftdx9000, ftdx5000, ftdx3000, ftdx1200, 1000mpmk5, 107m This thing just works on everything. I think its alot better then the md100 or the md1. Just a all around great microphone.
VA3IPG Rating: 2022-02-27
The best. Ever! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two of these fine engineering pieces. I couldn't ask for a better microphone for my rigs! One is on my FT-DX1200, the other is on my FT-1000MP. i have only good reports from my contacts with these microphones. i will strongly recommend them for any YAESU user, definitely!

this is an edit on my review:
i sold my ft1000 mp and bought a ft991 (1st gen) in replacement. i keep the same mic and after a small config on the rigs audio.....well i'll make it simple. AMAZING results! by experience , i think it makes all the difference having this piece of fine technology if you don't carry a linear amplifier. with this mic i can "drill" on pileups where there are "kilos of watts" shooting on the same direction....always good reports! i already forgot that i have a md100. it's collecting dust as a backup mic if any of the md200 breaks down....for finally i leave here one of my own favourite phrases: "If it wasn't good enough i wouldn't have two of them".
meet you on the air, VA3IPG, Jorge
ZL3GVR Rating: 2018-04-03
Good when taken considerations into account. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned this microphone for several years now and I carefully read all the reviews of this microphone to see if there is anything worth saying mainly because it has not been written or because I feel I just have to add something that might be worthwhile for a potential buyer. And I think there are a few points to make:

1> The microphone has a spec of being 600 Ohm. When measuring the cartridge however it shows an impedance (1000Hz) of close to 50 ohms and when measured at the plug that goes into the rig, mine showed close to 5000 Ohm. Mind you, that is with the “hidden” switch that many write about in the B position. Funny that when you switch it to the A position the microphone indeed all of a sudden shows a 600 Ohm impedance at 1000Hz. Most likely this is achieved by selecting another = the 600 Ohm winding tab on the transformer.

2> Above will explain why so many report a different experience as the widely varying input impedances of rigs (in particular comparing older and newer ones) will have just that effect based on capacitive loading etc.

3> A microphone of this price level made for Hams should have that clearly explained in the manual.

4> Hams are not in the HiFi business and our rigs stop at 3000Hz most of the time so the extra range is hardly a sales argument. For the low we can say similar things as we waste a lot of energy by pumping anything below 150 Hz into the airwaves. So forget about the frequency response. You will almost always prefer a good hump around 2000Hz while the low climbs up from 100Hz to 1000Hz with some 10 Db as seen in so many graphs of a popular D104 Astatic communication microphone.

5> The impedance transformation (because that is actually what happens in this microphone) between 50 odd Ohm (cartridge) and 600 Ohm (plug to radio) is done in a transformer which has shielding but not to a degree that I would have liked for my use of this microphone. For the money they could have done a better job here.

6> As an example, above point 5 made it impossible for me to use this microphone within 50cm distance from an Ameritron AL811HD amplifier. The strong magnetic field of the Ameritron amplifier induced a clear hum into the microphone transformer and subsequently to the plug. This was clearly audible in the monitor even though in many cases the rig won’t transmit it or the station at the other end might not hear it. However, I found it very annoying. Especially knowing that my Kenwood MC60 microphone was still “dead” still at that distance while delivering the same audio output level.

When I received the microphone and hooked it up to my FT950 the nice LED indicating the transmit mode did not come on and the audio had strong distortion especially when processor mode was selected. The Led issues had already been written about in conjunction with the FT950. It took me an hour or so to find a fix for it but I was successful to clear that issue.Actually both problems were solved by one fix.

So after all that, I can say that it is a well build microphone with good looks. Mechanically I only find the PTT and lock switches a bit flimsy for an otherwise sturdy piece of equipment.

In the 600 Ohm mode it matches perfectly my radio and the EQplus. Audio is great but need not be that expensive. And when comparing many microphones directly with the MD200 it often becomes a choice between good and good, leaving personal taste and your own voice characteristics to make the decision which microphone is best for you.
So if you like this microphone for the looks, and the solid build and the money is not an issue, then you won’t be disappointed because the audio is just great. But only if you make sure you match it to your rig. And be aware of hum pick up in strong magnetic fields. Many microphones perform better here but not all.

I give it a 3 out of 5. One point down for the pricing and one point down for not documenting the impedance setting and selling it as 600 Ohm while it was 5000 and with a transformer that picks up too much hum from my Ameritron.

However,if you want to give it 5 out of 5, that’s fine with me as well because I have already forgotten about the price and the modification leaves nothing to be desired except for the hum pick up, which is in many cases not going to happen due to distance from sources of magnetic inductance. Take your pick!

So after all that....... on my desk it's a 4 out of 5 now!

KX7P Rating: 2017-06-18
SUPERB AUDIO & LOOKS Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned my MD-200 for about 8 years and I've tested it extensively on HF and compared it with my MD-100 microphone using my Yaesu FT 9000, 5000, 2000, 897d and 857d transceivers. Although the MD 100 perform excellent, the MD-200 had a noticeable improvement to the quality of my audio as judged with on the air testing with people who know my voice. I must admit the purchase price is high, but the performance, construction quality, and appearance of this microphone justify that cost. It's a beautiful complement to your modern Yaesu station. Tim KX7P
W8IDL Rating: 2016-06-08
Excellent Performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having read some of the negative eHam reviews, I was hesitant to purchase this microphone. Finally bought that FTdx5000 Limited though, and thought it was time to upgrade the microphone. I bought the Yaesu MD200a8x, connected it to the radio, and it works like a champ! The volume was equal to the Yaesu MD100 so no problem there. I left it in the factory "flat" internal setting in the microphone and used the radio to tailor the audio response curve I wanted.

One really cool feature is a big red transmit LED just below the mic screen. This microphone is well constructed, performs well, and looks great! I am very happy I bought this for my new 5000: it is a keeper!
KH6TA Rating: 2015-12-17
Awesome sound, a "keeper"! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This mic blows the MH31 hand mic away! I prefer using a hand mic (easier), but DX calls get answered with this one! It is on the pricey side, but worth the $$$
ON4MHO Rating: 2014-01-03
Excellent audio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using this mic for several months now and all I can say is wowww! Beautiful design, rugged, excellent audio, a really nice addition to the shack. Just a little compression and I am often complimented about my audio. A real keeper.
CR7000 Rating: 2013-07-06
Super Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It looks super and also works just as good as it looks

Used with my FT-897D, all functions work as they should.

No need for an adaptor cable, as the lead is reversible so i can use the modular or circular connector - Genius

A little pricy, but very unique and worth the investment
SV1QOT Rating: 2013-04-11
AMAZING!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great mic,
Design,sound,settings.
I combined with my yaesu ft -950.
GOEDK Rating: 2013-02-14
Overpriced glamour piece Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the MD-1 which I use with my FT950, I have been given great reports which for $60 second hand is ok, I had the chance of the MD 200 for the same price so I did a side by side test with local hams, "they sound exactly the same", so not wanting two mics I gave it back. Maybe I should have kept it as a spare, but I am on here to give a report, and I recon the Mike is way over priced-like everything!!