We now get a chance to look at the Neats redesigned flagship microphone, King Bee II. An XLR microphone solution that features a large-diaphragm true condenser capsule that sits in a factory-built shock mount. Neats King Bee II features a Cardioid solid-state true condenser XLR microphone, a Proprietary 34mm large diaphragm gold-sputtered true condenser capsule, and a custom Beekeeper shock mount and Honeycomb pop filter priced at $169.99.
If you have read my hardware reviews you know I love heavy products, it’s a telltale sign of durability. King Bee II weighs in at a whopping 2.47 pounds! An absolute beast! It’s a similar shape to the Worker Bee II but much larger and the housing is stretched longer. Out of the box it comes mounted to its custom Beekeeper shock mount. There is no better way to add a shock mount to your microphone than a factory fit. At the bottom where the windscreen rests, you will find a functional honeycomb-shaped pop filter. It has the same sleek all-black design the other second-gen Neat microphones have which looks stellar. Out of the box King Bee II is equipped and ready to mount into any professional studio setting.
As I would expect from a flagship XLR microphone King Bee II has a large diaphragm. Its 34 mm center-terminated true condenser capsule design gives you that radio-like voice sound we all know and love. The clarity and depth of sound King Bee II emits is comparable to microphones at much higher price points. Class A electronic circuitry gives the sound an uncultivated and real type feel by improving the high-frequency response and lowering the distortion resolution. As with the other second-generation Neat XLR microphones, it features a top-notch performance package at an affordable price.
This microphone is for your content creators who are looking to step up to a professional level. A broadcast microphone at its heart the Kling Bee II is an out-of-the-box solution to a studio-quality microphone. Personally, I have never liked the extra shopping for a pop filter and shock mount that looks and fits perfectly. A factory custom-fit solution for both is the best option. While there still is a category of microphones above this is one, anyone who is looking to upgrade in the direction of studio-quality King Bee II has a tremendous value at $169.99.
Specifications:
Transducer Type: 34mm center terminated true condenser capsule with external polarization
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 16 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 26.0 mV/Pa at 1 kHz (1 Pa = 94 dB SPL)
Output Impedance: 50 ohms
Rated Load Impedance: >1k ohms
Maximum SPL: 140 dB SPL (2.5k ohms, 0.5% THD)
S/N Ratio: 89 dB-A (IEC 651)
Noise Level: 6 dB-A (IEC 651)
Dynamic Range: 134 dB (@ 2.5k ohms)
Power Requirement: +48V DC phantom power (IEC 268-15)
Product Dimensions: 8.5″ x 3″
Weight in Beekeeper shockmount: 2.47 lbs/1.121 kg
Connectivity: XLR
