Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Heil PR 781 Microphone

Category: Microphones for ham radio

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Heil PR 781 Microphone
Reviews: 100MSRP: 199.
Description:
Professional quality dynamic cardioid microphone for amateur radio that is specifically designed for use with most makes of Elite transceivers of Kenwood, Yaesu, Ten Tec and iCOM.
Product is in production
More Info: https://heilhamradio.com/products/pr-781-2/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001004.8
KE5MMT Rating: 2009-09-10
Great Audio Reports Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had my PR 781 for about two months, paired with a Flex 5000A. I'm not using any external preamplification, equalization or compression. I do use the preamp and equalizer settings available in the PowerSDR software.

I consistently get unsolicited good signal and good audio reports from other stations.
IK0VVG Rating: 2009-09-09
Poor results with Icom-7700 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
No doubt about the quality of this studio microphone. Many doubts about the use with HF transceivers.
I have tried to use it with my Yaesu FT-2000 but, at the end, I decided to employ the MD-100.
Poor results with my new Icom-7700 (low depth of modulation, no chance in pile-up !). Much better results with the classical SM-20.
My personal opinion is that this kind of microphones, in particular when used with Icom transceivers, would need an external amplifier / equalizer.
TERRY_PERRY_EX_W3VR Rating: 2009-07-23
Does the job. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The PR781 600 ohm impedance, very directional response characteristics and side rejection make it ideal for the 7600, 7700, 7800, and PROIII HF xcvrs I have here. I also use it with good results with my Orion II. As with any configuration, you need to understand the limitations of your equipment in order to get the most out of it. If you don't know how to adjust your equipment, then you can make any mic sound bad. I use no other audio signal processing equipment with it, just the eq adjustments within the aforementioned trancievers. If you are using other signal processing equipment with it be it Julius's stuff, or some type of Pro Sound type outboard processing equipment into the accessory input, then it's a moot point as far as mics go. That type setup can make up for a lot of deficiencies if you know what you are doing. But there again, if you don't, you can make any mic sound bad. Often times folks that are not familiar with their equipment, and won't take the time to learn how their equipment works, buy accessories and expect glorious results based on hype, and unreasonable expectations. When those expectations are not realized, they end up giving bad feedback on a product, and unfortunately, the users lack of knowledge and experience is the real factor in poor performance. Overall, the PR781 is a decent 600 ohm dynamic microphone with stable, reasonable response for good solid SSB or AM transmit audio when used correctly. In the wrong hands it will sound just as bad as any other microphone when improperly used.

W3VR
KI6PMY Rating: 2009-07-23
ok Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have had mine for a month now.
Hooked up to the 746 Pro everyone says i sounded better using the Audio Techica AT 2010. No one likes the Heil on the Kenwood 440. I have run the Heil straight into both radios & also through a mixer. I know alot depends on the operators voice & so on. Does good on the FT 990 but most of the people who know me say the stock hand mic sounds as good. Have noticed most of the reviews use this mic with some sort of audio help instead of just straigt to the radio. Makes me wonder how accurate these reviews are.
AD5VM Rating: 2009-06-21
Just right. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
EVERYBODY want's to know what I'm using...
A PR-781 to a Presonus Studio Channel to a W2IHY iBox to the modulator input on the back of my IC-7600.
Looks awesome, sounds awesome, great price! Thanks Bob!!
OH1JO Rating: 2009-04-23
Excellent Mic! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just got my FT-2000D and a week later my Heil PR-781 mic.. I have got nothing but excellent audio reports using wb audio with PR-781 and W2IHY 8 band Eq.. Narrow band(2.4khz) audio has been great as well (similar to HC-4 by Heil) So you have many mics in one package if you are using FT-2000 or any other tranceiver with internal/or(and) external EQ like W2IHY. You cant go wrong if you buy this Mic.. I got mine with PTT-stand.. If you want to get audio which is standing out from the crowd.. you should get this one. A highly recommended purchase! Give me a call if you hear me!
PA3GPP Rating: 2009-04-19
Good mic,with some sensivity of rfi Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hello everyone,i'm using the PR 781 for quit a while now(1.5 years)and i got a lot of outstanding and overwellming audio reports,hooked it up my ICOM IC 7700 and a IC 7000.
But it is very sensitive for RFI at high power(amplifier)use, so it gives a terrible distortion on the audio when used with the QRO HF 2500 ampl at approx 1700 Watts SSB(20 meters)
I made now a lot of decoupling (30 pieces ferritclamps)at the mic cable,now the problem is solved,also you have to speak closeby and direct into the PR 781 for the max audio input to the ICOM,use this mic in combination with the EQ-Plus that gives a good boost to the audio.
My settings for the IC 7700 are:radio EQ treble +5,Bass +2.For the EQ-plus:bass 12 o'clock,treble 2 o'clock,compr 12 o'clock,downw/compr 3 o'clock,input gain audio 10 o'clock,output level 2 o'clock,and the compessor on the radio switched ON.
The EQ-plus is connected at the back(acc socket)of the radio,not to the front mic input,so mic gain radio is 0.
Overall it is a very good sounding device!!!!
Thanks to Bob Heil for this good sounding combination with the ICOM Rigs.
PA3GPP/Klaas
David Meyer Rating: 2009-03-28
A great Mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got my Heil PR 781 three months ago. I was originally looking at the PR-40, but after speaking to the good people at Heil, I was informed that whatever additional quality that the PR-40 had over the PR-781 would never be seen, so I made the purchase of the PR-781. I get nothing but great comments at the quality of the audio and this is no doubt due to the 781. Audio reports received tell me that it has a very real quality and a pure sound. What else can you ask for from a mic?
RUSS324 Rating: 2009-02-12
Awesome! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just recieved my new PR 781 yesterday. I also ordered the Heil boom and shock mount. Makes a Really nice package. Firt thing I noticed is how nice this Microphone looks. I hooked it up to my 756 Pro 3 and answered a CQ from Kuwait. He came back on the first call. Next I answered a CQ from Maderia Island. Cedric said my audio came in above all the other stations calling. Enough said. Russ K8QF.
M0VEY Rating: 2009-01-25
Quality Microphone. Best Heil Used So Far. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I'm using the Heil PR781 with my Icom IC-775DSP.
I always receive great audio reports. I'm running the mic into an old Gemini PS 626 PRO DJ Mixer, before bringing the audio back into the Icom.

I guess the mixer is like a Behringer 802 with a 3 stage mic eq so you can fully adjust the lows. mids & highs. As soon as I plugged the mic in, I could hear how full the audio was compared to other mics.

I've tried the Icom SM6 , SM8 & SM20 as well as the Heil ICM & Heil HMI with the 775. The PR781 blows them all away.

The PR781 is mounted on an adjustable Studio Microphone Arm which gives me hands free use when using vox or the footswitch.

Overall I would say the Heil PR781 is a quality mic at a great price. Definately, best bang for the buck.

It's a keeper with me.

M0VEY , Phil.