Warm Audio WA-87 R2 Multipattern FET Condenser Microphone, Black

Warm Audio WA-87 R2 Black: Flagship 87 Tone, Stealth Finish

The Warm Audio WA-87 R2 in black is the award-winning flagship 87-style condenser dressed in a sleek black nickel-plated finish for the modern, camera-facing studio. Electronically it is the full R2: a transformer-coupled large-diaphragm FET condenser built around a custom CineMag USA output transformer that shapes the classic 87 tone. It provides three switchable polar patterns, a -10 dB pad, and an 80 Hz high-pass filter, so the same mic that nails a lead vocal also handles rooms, amps, and stereo pairs. Its 1-inch gold-sputtered K87-style capsule and vintage-grade parts pursue the smooth, detailed character that made the design a studio standard. The black finish simply lets that flagship performance disappear into a contemporary set.

What a Transformer-Coupled FET Condenser Does

A condenser microphone senses sound with a charged diaphragm held microns from a backplate, and an internal amplifier raises that delicate signal to a usable level. In the WA-87 R2 a discrete FET amplifier feeds an output transformer before the signal leaves the mic, which is the defining trait of a transformer-coupled design. That transformer balances the output, isolates the circuit, and adds the subtle harmonic richness and smoothing associated with the classic 87 sound. It is the core difference from the transformerless WA-87jr, trading a touch of raw transparency for prized transformer character. The mic runs on 48V phantom power and connects through a 24k gold-plated XLR.

The Capsule and Premium Components

The black R2's tone starts at a 1-inch, 6-micron gold-sputtered K87-style dual-backplate capsule, the vintage-correct design behind the model's presence and detail. Warm Audio surrounds it with premium parts: NOS Fairchild transistors and WIMA and Nichicon capacitors chosen for their effect on noise, headroom, and transient response. These are component-level decisions usually seen only in far pricier microphones, and they are a real part of why the R2 sounds the way it does. The custom CineMag USA output transformer then adds its classic coloration and smoothing. The finish is black, but the internal recipe is identical to the standard R2.

Patterns, Pad, and Filter

The WA-87 R2 in black offers the same three switchable polar patterns as its standard sibling. Cardioid isolates a front source and rejects the rear; omnidirectional hears in all directions for natural room capture; and figure-8 hears front and back while nulling the sides for mid-side and Blumlein stereo. The -10 dB pad lifts the mic's ceiling to 132 dB SPL engaged and 125 dB SPL off, keeping it clean on loud amps and drums. The switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter removes subsonic rumble and proximity boom before it reaches your converter. With very low self-noise and a 150-ohm output, it stays quiet into any preamp.

Where the Black WA-87 R2 Excels

This is a studio anchor with a stealth aesthetic. It is a first-call mic for lead and studio vocals and voiceover, and its smooth midrange flatters nearly any voice on camera or off. It also captures acoustic guitar, drum overheads, piano, and strings with the same balanced character, staying useful across a whole session. Content creators and streamers get a professional vocal mic that reads clean and understated on video, while commercial studios get a versatile, reliable condenser. It needs only 48V phantom power to run. When you want flagship 87 tone that blends into a modern set, the black WA-87 R2 is the answer.

A Complete, Studio-Grade Package

The black WA-87 R2 ships as a finished, protected kit. It includes a shockmount to isolate the capsule from vibration, a hard clip for quick mounting, and a wooden storage box to keep the mic safe between sessions. The black nickel-plated brass build and 24k gold-plated XLR connector carry the same quality found throughout the design. The generous accessory package mirrors the standard R2, so nothing is given up for the finish. It is built to serve as a modern studio's understated centerpiece for years.