Between the LCT 440 PURE and U 87 Ai, the LCT 440 PURE comes out ahead in max spl, while the U 87 Ai wins on several specs. Overall, the LCT 440 PURE scores 68.3 and the U 87 Ai scores 48.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The LCT 440 PURE is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 19.7 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the LCT 440 PURE if you care most about max spl. The biggest gaps in its favor are max spl.
The U 87 Ai similarly doesn't carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
Both ship with comparable type, connection, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the LCT 440 PURE is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Lewitt - LCT 440 PURE wins
- ▲Max SPL — 10.24% more. 140 dB vs 127 dB.
Why Neumann - U 87 Ai wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Spec
| Spec | Lewitt - LCT 440 PURE | Neumann - U 87 Ai |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Condenser | Condenser |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid | Multi (3 patterns) |
| Frequency response | 20Hz–20kHz | 20Hz–20kHz |
| Max SPL | 140 dBlead | 127 dB |
Connectivity
| Spec | Lewitt - LCT 440 PURE | Neumann - U 87 Ai |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | XLR | XLR |
| Headphone out | false | false |
Spec-level deep dives
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