I bought this mic as a less expensive alternative to my internet Sennheiser for home recording, I didn't have high expectations for it. However, the Vault DCM55 delightfully impressed me. It has a retro flair and appears just as good as in the pictures. The construction quality is unexpectedly strong, with a heavy, substantial feel. The audio quality exceeded my expectations, and it competes favourably with other dynamic microphones with same dynamic ranges. This is the best microphone currently on the market for anyone searching for a retro-styled, upbeat mic.