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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
AD5EM Rating: 2005-06-12
Still Enjoying this Mic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I wrote my first review shortly after I aquired this mic. I liked it then, like it even more after a couple of years and using it on several radios. At the current time, I'm using it with my Icom IC-756PRO and it was an easy mod to make it play (except the up/down tune, which I didn't use). I still get unsolicited "great audio" reports and the mic still looks cool on the desk.
I put a cheapo generic mic element in for the #2 and it's very narrow and "tinny" sounding..works great for DX and punching through pile ups. The stock MD-200 element is a good match for my voice and sounds about as natural as SSB is capable of doing. Overpriced, yeah, but still a quality piece of equipment. I'm keepin' it!

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Earlier 5-star review posted by AD5EM on 2003-07-25

I had a Yaesu MD-1 (still do) and just wanted to get one of these because they look so cool. I have been very happy with the performance, too. Out of the box it didn't sound any better than the MD-1, but the MD-200 is tuneable and I'm working on making it sound even better. Really a neat looking well made mic that I plan to keep. I really like the versatility Yaesu built into the cabling, too. I plan to use the MD-200 with my FT-100D and will keep the MD-1 for use on the FT-990. Yeah, I guess I'm a Yaesu fan
73
WPE9JRL Rating: 2004-10-03
Cool Looking But Overpriced Time Owned: N.A.
Bought mine on the used market from a "wanted" ad on one of the classifieds sites. My MD-200 arrived on my doorstep for $200. The PTT switch was intermittent and I surmise that is why the seller decided to get rid of it. Bought a new switch from Yaesu for about 10-bucks, installed it myself easily....it is a mini-microswitch.

The audio quality is good. I'm using it with a 1000MP. The mic is very hi-fi with lots of low frequency response (almost too much). It lacks a nice peak in the "presence" area even when the mike element is adjusted for max treble. Overall, with adjustments that you can make in the 1000MP menu settings, the mike sounds very nice and is a pleasure to use.

The "secret switch": Yaesu wanted to keep a "lo-cut" filter switch a secret. If you remove the circuit board (I did so when replacing the PTT switch), you will find the little "secret" switch. It is a small slide switch located on top of the PCB. I desoldered the switch and relocated it on the bottom of the PCB, then drilled a small 3/8" hole (carefully measured) on the bottom of the plastic bottom cover. I can now (from the bottom of the mike) select an extra element or activate the lo-cut filter. I regularly use the lo-cut when using the Yaesu element and deactivate the lo-cut when switching to a Heil HC-5 element that I added later.

The Heil element, by the way, receives the best audio reports....doesn't say much for all that Yaesu engineering and sales hype.

I would recommend this mike if you have money to burn. I would recommend buying one "used" for a more realistic approach to this mike's actual worth (in $$$).

However, some may find this man-sized, cooly styled, fun-to-use mike priceless in its appeal.
It is unique in the amateur world.
GW3NCT Rating: 2004-07-22
Excellent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Always difficult to comment on a mic. After all unless you hear it for yourself, you are relying on what others say about your speech quality. I have heard others with this mic and they have always sounded 100%.

Nevertheless, I can glean some info when I receive consistent unsolicited reports of "good audio". My reason for replacing the MD100 with this MD200 was for practical reasons. The switch on the stem of the MD100 was always being activated by the shelf at my operating posiiton.

The MD200 is an example of that old saying if something looks right, it is right. I love it. It has the looks of a thoroughbred. Makes all those other stem mics look rather boring.

I only occasionally use the up/down switches, preferring to tune manually. I like the little operating niceties like the red LED that shows when you are in TX mode.


All in all a great mic. I am tempted to say a masterpiece. OK, I will say it, it's a masterpiece!


KB1INK Rating: 2003-10-17
Good Mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Mic performs great. I also had an issue with the ptt switch. ?FIX?... I took apart the base and removed the ptt button. There are 2 small pieces of "felt" on the ears of the button, I removed them and reassembled. This gave the button more travel upwards when released. Problem solved. This also got rid of the annoying "boom boom boom" noise heard when it was keyed and unkeyed. Yes it is expensive, but, with all the tailoring that can be achieved with it and a mark 5 you don't need external eq's. Probably possible to could come up with a contraption to equal or better the audio. Modes: AM and SSB. Stock mic is way louder on FM. Radio's alc?
I like this one. Have a good one.
KY6R Rating: 2003-09-11
Superb Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I use this mic with the element set to the DX setting with my FT-1000MP Mark V, and it is the best mic I've ever used in my 30 years of hamming.

No need for external rack mounted boxes and other junk - just the radio and this mic.
KC2HZW Rating: 2003-06-11
Looks Great, Sounds Great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I first used this mike with an FT-847 and got immediate compliments on the audio. Currently it is hooked up to a Mark V Field and I get unsolicated reports of broadcast quality audio. (EDSP on, Transmit EDSP #4, Transmit EDSP Filter 6.0 kHz, EDSP Enhanced Modulation 100 - 3100 Hz, USB/LSB Carrier Injection -160.) Using these settings the microphone sounds crisp with a hint of bass. Compression rarely is necessary with this mike. The variable side pressure control works very well; however the mic has to be taken apart to adjust it and it seems to be quite sensitive. It does provide a wide range of adjustments. I would set it once and then use rig controls for fine tuning. There is plenty of room for an additional mic element like the Heil HC-4. A small micro slide switch under the base allows you to switch elements. Fit and finish are first class. I've had only one minor problem with the mic, the PTT switch became intermitent. I opened the base and adjusted the micro switch contact and it has worked fine since. A beautiful addition to the shack!
MW0KIK Rating: 2003-04-20
Love it!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a Great Mic. The MD100 fell short as wasnt much good as far as I was concerned so I sold mine & went back to the fist mic.

The MD200 is in another class. I had reservations before seeing the mic - I was expecting a poor quality / cheaply made mic.I'm glad to say the MD200 is ligt years from that.

Firstly its build quality is exceptional, it is one heavy / solid base mic.
Secondly it is so versatile with the option to use an additional insert and it has variable side tone adjustment.
Thirdly - it sounds FANTASTIC.
Finally it looks FANTASIC.

If you work a MKV on SSB get an MD200!

Well done Yaesu!


KF4DHE Rating: 2002-10-14
Better than excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I don't see how anyone with a MarkV or Field could not love this mic! WOW!! This is one super sounding mic! Drives the pants off my Field and gets "Listen to that thing!" audio reports on the air. I did notice that the "VSPC" control is very touchy and requires only a very slight movement to make a big difference in the frequency response so make small adjustments when trying to set up to your liking. To be honest I really thought I would get it out of the box,hook it to my Field,get poor reports,get mad,and then sell it on Ebay. But NO WAY! This baby is going nowhere. Fit and finish are top notch. Has a nice heavy feel to it. I really like this mic. Hats off to Yaesu(Vertex?)They really surprised me with this one.
G2BGI Rating: 2002-04-21
average power Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I found that it would not drive the rig here and I must have looked like Quazzi Modo doing liposuction, whilst trying to set the ALC, 10 meters FM audio was rubbish and the only way to get anything out was to set it to the DX setting on SSB, the MH31 was better. but having replaced the standard mic element with a HC-05 and HC-04 it is much better. But levels are still set much higher that MH31 and I will when I get a DIAGRAM try a VOGAD curcuit on it. The radio here is FT 1000 MP FAct-dAt 000807C2. But MD200 looks great!
M5BXB Rating: 2001-12-16
Mic of distinction Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have been using the MD-200 for more than 3 months.
The price here in the UK is £249. Yes it is expensive, but I feel that this mic is worth it. The mic has a frequency range of 30 - 17000 Hz, Sensitivity -62 (1 Khz, 0 dB = 1 V/1 pa) and Impedance of 600 Ohms. The mic uses a Dynamic type element which will provide a wide dynamic range. The mic has a Variable side pressure control (VSPC) which can be adjusted for a flat Hi-Fi response or set for DX. It can also be set anywhere between the two. The MD-200 has the provision for a second user supplied element which although is not neccessary, can be advantageous. There is a micro switch on the base to select between the 2 elements. I use the Heil HC-4 DX insert, so the MD-200 own element is set for a flat Hi-Fi response. When I work DX, I switch to the HC-4. So by having the choice of 2 elements, you can easily switch your audio very easily. The mic has the usual PTT and LOCK switches plus UP and DOWN scan buttons. There is a red led which illuminates when in TX mode. This ON-AIR led will not work with the FT-1000, FT-1000 D, FT-990 and FT-840. I have used the mic with an FT-736 with good results, but the lead had to be re-wired. The mic comes with a coiled lead with a modular plug on one end and a standard 8 pin plug at the other end. There are 2 mic sockets on the base of the MD-200, modular and standard.
The problem with mic reports is that we are dependent on others interpretatation of what they consider to be our natural voice. I always use the same stations for audio reports, who know me personally aswell, and I trust their comments. The first time I used the mic (replacing the MD-100), I noticed a considerable increase in audio gain. This was on the default setting flat Hi-Fi response. I joined a local 2m net on ssb and was told that my audio was different from normal. It was much stronger and more natural. I used it with the FT-847 which had already been tailored to my voice. I proceeded to take the head of the mic off to reveal the VSPC. I made various adjustments and was told in no uncertain terms that the DX setting was not very comfortable for local rag chew, but when tested on HF, made a world of difference to my audio gain. When I had the perfect report given, the mic had been returned to its default setting. Therefore, I strongly recommend that for normal use, leave the VSPC alone and just make any minor adjustments to your rigs audio controls. I inserted the HC-4 and use this for DX. I have on several occasion been complimented on my audio and have been asked what mic I was using. There has not been a single poor report. I tend to drive my rig with as much audio as possible, so I run to the extreme limit of the ALC. Then if I want a little more, I turn on the processor.
The build quality is superb. It has a heavy base and is very stable. This is truly a great mic and Yaesu have done something right for a change! I do have just one little complaint. The micro switch should be on top of the base, not underneath and should be a bit larger and clearly labelled, but this is just my opinion and it does not take away the fact that it is a true DX and or Hi-Fi quality mic.