Neumann’s TLM 103 is a cardioid condenser microphone with XLR connection.
A condenser microphone records small sounds in fine detail. It is often used to record singing and narration.
In this article we rate it on 5 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 32 microphones we compare.
Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.
Score 2.8 / 5 (average of the 32 models compared: 3.3)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Self-noise
- 7dB(A)
- Sensitivity
- 23mV/Pa
- Weight
- 450g
- Max SPL
- 138dB
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
Figure: SoundBounty
Summary
Among the 32 microphones, TLM 103 is rank B. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and B is third from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 2.8.
Strengths
- Quietness (7 dB(A), 5 points): The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.
- Sensitivity (23 mV/Pa, 4 points): You get a solid level even from a softer voice.
Things to keep in mind
- Handling of loud sound (138 dB, 2 points): Take care with very loud voices, which can distort.
- Features (0 of 3, 1 point): It has few or no switches, so adjustments are made on the audio interface or the computer.
- Lightness (450 g, 2 points): It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy microphone stand.
Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people who want to record quiet voices and whispers cleanly; people with a softer voice who still want a solid recording level.
Main features of TLM 103
A capsule inherited from the U 87
It uses a capsule based on the capsule (K67/87) of Neumann’s standard microphone, the U 87. It appeared in 1997 as an affordable alternative to the U 87 and is now regarded as one of the standard microphones of studios. It has a clear sound with a slight lift above 5 kHz.
Very low self-noise and high sensitivity
The self-noise is 7 dB-A, and the manufacturer says it is among the quietest of commercial microphones. The sensitivity is also high, at 23 mV/Pa, and it is explained that you can record with little noise even with an affordable audio interface.
Up to 138 dB SPL without a pad
It is said to record up to 138 dB SPL without a pad. The manufacturer’s explanation is that it can record everything from whispers to a loud kick drum without adding noise or distortion. The body has no switches, and it is a simple build with a cardioid pattern only.
Video: “The Neumann TLM 103” (official Georg Neumann GmbH YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube
Where it is useful
- Recording vocals or narration with little noise
- Getting a voice across clearly in streaming or broadcasting
- Recording instruments such as guitar amps, piano and drums
Rating by criterion
Quietness: 5 / 5
How little of the small hiss the microphone itself makes (self-noise). The smaller the number, the quieter.
TLM 103: 7 dB(A). That is a high rating among the products we compared. The microphone itself makes little noise, so whispers and quiet songs record cleanly.
Sensitivity: 4 / 5
How large a signal the same voice produces (sensitivity). The bigger the number, the easier it is to get a good level from a quiet voice.
TLM 103: 23 mV/Pa. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You get a solid level even from a softer voice.
Handling of loud sound: 2 / 5
How loud a sound it can record without distortion (maximum SPL).
TLM 103: 138 dB. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. Take care with very loud voices, which can distort.
Features: 1 / 5
How many of the pad (lowers loud sound), low-cut (reduces low noise) and pickup-pattern switch it has.
TLM 103: 0 of 3. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It has few or no switches, so adjustments are made on the audio interface or the computer.
Lightness: 2 / 5
The weight of the microphone. The lighter it is, the less load on the microphone stand.
TLM 103: 450 g. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy microphone stand.
The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 32 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.
How we score (Microphones)
| Criterion | Basis | 5 pt | 4 pt | 3 pt | 2 pt | 1 pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quietness | Self-noise | ≤7 | ≤12 | ≤16 | ≤20 | >20 |
| Sensitivity | Sensitivity | ≥25 | ≥20 | ≥15 | ≥10 | <10 |
| Handling of loud sound | Maximum SPL (without the pad) | ≥148 | ≥144 | ≥140 | ≥135 | <135 |
| Features | Pad, low-cut and pickup-pattern switch | All 3 | 2 | 1 | — | None |
| Lightness | Weight | ≤300 | ≤350 | ≤400 | ≤450 | >450 |
Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. Items that are not disclosed are not scored, and the rank is based on the average of the remaining items. Where a model publishes only the signal-to-noise ratio and not the self-noise, the self-noise is converted as "94 minus the signal-to-noise ratio".
TLM 103 connection and getting started
| Connection | XLR (3-pin). Connect it to the microphone input of an audio interface or mixer (it cannot connect to a computer directly by USB) |
|---|---|
| Power | Phantom power (48 V, 3 mA) is required |
| In the box | Swivel mount SG 2 and a wooden box (the Mono Set and Studio Set include the shock mount EA 1). An XLR cable is not included |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.
Compared with other microphones
Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Self-noisedB(A) | SensitivitymV/Pa | Max SPLdB | Weightg | Shock mount | Pad | Low-cut | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-TechnicaAT2020 | B 2.6 | 20 | 14.1 | 144 | 345 | — | — | — | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaAT2035 | A 3.8 | 12 | 22.4 | 148 | 403 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| AKGP120 | B 2.8 | 19 | 24 | Not disclosed | 453 | — | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| BehringerC-1 | C 2.3 | Not disclosed | 22.4 | 136 | 450 | — | — | — | Not disclosed |
| RØDENT1 5th Gen | A 4.0 | 4 | 25 | 142 | 308 | ● | — | ● | Not disclosed |
| sE ElectronicsX1 A | B 3.0 | 16 | 20 | 130 | 390 | — | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| MXL990 | C 1.6 | 20 | 15 | 130 | 544 | ● | — | — | Not disclosed |
| Austrian AudioOC16 | A 3.4 | 14 | 11 | 148 | 335 | ● | — | ● | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaAT4040 | A 4.0 | 12 | 25.1 | 145 | 360 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaAT2050 | B 3.0 | 17 | 7.9 | 149 | 412 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| NeumannTLM 102 | B 3.2 | 12 | 11 | 144 | 210 | — | — | — | Not disclosed |
| sE ElectronicsX1 S | A 3.6 | 9 | 30 | 140 | 445 | — | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| NeumannTLM 103 | B 2.8 | 7 | 23 | 138 | 450 | — | — | — | Not disclosed |
| sE ElectronicssE2200 | B 2.8 | 8 | 24 | 125 | 611 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| RØDENT1 Signature | A 3.6 | 4 | 25 | 142 | 313 | ● | — | — | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaAT4050 | B 3.2 | 17 | 15.8 | 149 | 510 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaAT4033a | A 3.6 | 17 | 25.1 | 145 | 380 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| AKGC214 | A 3.6 | 13 | 20 | 136 | 280 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| AKGC414 XLII | S 4.4 | 6 | 23 | 140 | 300 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| AKGC414 XLS | S 4.4 | 6 | 23 | 140 | 300 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| AKGP220 | B 3.0 | 16 | 20 | Not disclosed | 514 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaAT5040 | B 3.0 | 5 | 56.2 | 142 | 582 | ● | — | — | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaAT4047/SV | A 3.6 | 9 | 17.7 | 149 | 410 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| RØDENT2-A | A 3.6 | 7 | 16 | 147 | 860 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| LEWITTLCT 440 PURE | A 3.6 | 7 | 27.4 | 140 | 310 | ● | — | — | Not disclosed |
| LEWITTLCT 240 PRO | B 2.6 | 19 | 16.7 | 142 | 310 | — | — | — | Not disclosed |
| LEWITTLCT 540 S | A 3.8 | 4 | 41 | 136 | 371 | ● | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| Aston MicrophonesAston Origin | B 2.8 | 18 | 23.7 | 127 | Not disclosed | — | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| Austrian AudioOC18 | A 3.8 | 9 | 13 | 148 | 335 | — | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| Austrian AudioOC818 | A 3.8 | 9 | 13 | 148 | 360 | — | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
| SennheiserMK 4 | B 2.8 | 10 | 25 | 140 | 485 | — | — | — | Not disclosed |
| NeumannTLM 107 | B 3.2 | 10 | 11 | 141 | 445 | — | ● | ● | Not disclosed |
Specifications are the manufacturer's published values (checked September 25, 2026). The AT2035 self-noise is converted from the signal-to-noise ratio, the maximum SPL is the value without the pad, and the AKG P120 and P220 do not publish a value without the pad. The AT5040 sensitivity is converted from the published dB value. The Aston Origin does not publish its weight. USB microphones are compared separately in the USB microphone comparison.
Before you buy
- It needs phantom power (+48 V). This is an XLR condenser microphone, so connect it to an audio interface or mixer that can supply phantom power.
- Check what comes in the box. The manufacturer lists: Swivel mount SG 2 and a wooden box (the Mono Set and Studio Set include the shock mount EA 1). An XLR cable is not included. Anything not on that list (a shock mount, a pop filter, cables and so on) you need to prepare separately.
- It has no pad or low-cut switch. When you need one, adjust with the audio interface or the DAW instead.
Read next
- TLM 102: features and rating (rank B)
- AT4050: features and rating (rank B)
- C414 XLII: features and rating (rank S)
- C414 XLS: features and rating (rank S)
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