TELEFUNKEN M80 & M81 Chrome Headgrille

Product overview

The TELEFUNKEN M80 & M81 Chrome Headgrille is an official TELEFUNKEN replacement headgrille in a chrome finish for the TELEFUNKEN M80 and M81 dynamic microphones.

TELEFUNKEN offers the M80 and M81 headgrille in a range of colour and metal finishes, so a microphone can be refreshed, personalised or colour-coded while the microphone itself stays the same. The M80 and M81 are built around the same 25 mm dynamic moving-coil capsule and T80 custom-wound output transformer, both measure 184 mm x 48 mm and both are hand assembled in the USA, so one headgrille serves either model. Fit it to give a microphone a chrome look, to replace a worn or damaged grille, or to keep a spare in the case for the next tour.

Key features

• Chrome finish headgrille for the M80 and M81
• Fits both models: TELEFUNKEN M80 and M81 dynamic microphones
• Personalise or colour-code microphones without changing the microphone
• Replace a worn or damaged grille and keep the microphone in service
• Official TELEFUNKEN part, part number SUB-251-BRNK
• One of 16 finishes offered by TELEFUNKEN for the M80 and M81 headgrille

One headgrille for the M80 and M81

TELEFUNKEN designs the M80 and M81 around the same diaphragm and output transformer and tailors each one to its own sonic attributes. The M80 has a pronounced, extended high frequency response and condenser-like performance that make it a first choice for lead vocals and snare drum; TELEFUNKEN recommends it for vocals, snare, percussion and clean guitar amps. The M81 has a more neutral, flatter response with increased midrange clarity, and TELEFUNKEN recommends it for toms, distorted guitar amps, female vocals and brass. Both are supercardioid, handle 135 dB SPL (for 1% THD) and are hand assembled in the USA. The chrome headgrille fits either one.

Colour that works on stage

A coloured or metal headgrille makes each microphone easy to identify at a glance. On a busy stage, give every singer their own colour so the right microphone goes back to the right stand at changeover, or mark the M80 and M81 in a drum and vocal setup so the engineer can tell them apart from the desk. The chrome finish can also match a band's stage look or a studio's style, and it looks the same on camera for live streams and videos.

Refresh, repair, restock

Headgrilles on hard-working stage microphones take knocks. A replacement headgrille keeps a dented or tired-looking M80 or M81 in service with a fresh chrome finish, and a spare in the microphone case means a damaged grille never holds up a show. Rental companies, production houses and venues can keep headgrilles in stock alongside their M80 and M81 microphones.

Fitting and care

With the channel muted, unscrew the fitted headgrille from the microphone body, keep it somewhere safe, and thread the chrome headgrille on by hand until it is fully seated; do not overtighten. The M80 and M81 are dynamic microphones and need no phantom power, so nothing else changes in the signal chain. Check the microphone before the performance. Keep the inside of the headgrille clean and dry, store spare headgrilles in a clean bag, and handle metal finishes with clean hands.

What's included

In the box

• TELEFUNKEN M80 & M81 Chrome Headgrille

TELEFUNKEN lists this headgrille for the M80 and M81 dynamic microphones. The microphone is sold separately; TELEFUNKEN M80 and M81 microphones are listed separately at Shivansh Electronics.

TELEFUNKEN M80 & M81 Chrome Headgrille: frequently asked questions

Which microphones does it fit?

The headgrille fits the TELEFUNKEN M80 and M81 dynamic microphones.

Is a microphone included?

No. This product is the chrome headgrille only. The M80 and M81 microphones are listed separately.

Which finishes does TELEFUNKEN offer?

TELEFUNKEN offers the M80 and M81 headgrille in Black, Black Nickel, Blue, Chrome, Gray, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose Gold, Satin Chrome, Satin Gold, Turquoise, White and Yellow.

Do I need tools to change it?

No. Unscrew the fitted headgrille by hand and thread the new one on until it is seated. Mute the channel first.

Can I use it to colour-code microphones?

Yes. Different headgrille finishes make it easy to give each singer or instrument its own microphone and to tell an M80 from an M81 at a glance.

Where can I buy the TELEFUNKEN M80 & M81 Chrome Headgrille in India?

The TELEFUNKEN M80 & M81 Chrome Headgrille is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Fitting the headgrille

Changing the headgrille on an M80 or M81.

Connections

Setup

1. Mute the channel; the microphone needs no phantom power.
2. Unscrew the fitted headgrille by hand and set it aside.
3. Thread the chrome headgrille on until it is fully seated, without overtightening.
4. Unmute and check the microphone before use.

Workflow 2: Colour-coded vocal microphones

Bands, worship teams and multi-singer stages.

Connections

Setup

1. Assign one headgrille finish to each singer.
2. Fit the headgrilles and note the colour against each mixer channel.
3. Patch each microphone to its channel and line check.
4. At changeover, return each microphone to its stand by colour.

Tip: Write the colour on the channel scribble strip.

Workflow 3: Drum and vocal setup at a glance

Telling the M80 and M81 apart on a busy stage.

Connections

Setup

1. Choose one finish for the M80s and another for the M81s.
2. Fit the headgrilles before the microphones go out.
3. Place each model on the sources TELEFUNKEN recommends for it.
4. Line check every channel and label the patch list by colour.

Workflow 4: Stage and video look

Matching a band, venue or studio style on stage and on camera.

Connections

Setup

1. Pick the finish that matches the stage or set design.
2. Fit the headgrille and check it is seated.
3. Connect the microphone and set gain for the performer.
4. Check the shot so the microphone and headgrille read clearly on camera.

Workflow 5: Replacing a damaged headgrille

Keeping a touring M80 or M81 in service.

Connections

Setup

1. Mute the channel and unscrew the damaged headgrille.
2. Check the microphone for any other damage.
3. Thread on the chrome headgrille until it is seated.
4. Unmute, line check and return the microphone to service.

Workflow 6: Spares for rental and touring

Rental companies, venues and production houses.

Connections

Setup

1. Keep spare headgrilles in labelled bags by finish.
2. Inspect headgrilles on every microphone when it returns.
3. Replace any damaged headgrille before the next booking.
4. Update the inventory list with the finish fitted to each microphone.