Between the Wave:3 and U 87 Ai, the Wave:3 comes out ahead in connection, while the U 87 Ai wins on max spl. Overall, the Wave:3 scores 35 and the U 87 Ai scores 48.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The U 87 Ai is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 13.6 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 Wave:3 if you care most about connection. The biggest gaps in its favor are connection.
Pick the U 87 Ai if you care most about max spl. Its strongest claims are max spl.
Both ship with comparable type, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the U 87 Ai is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Elgato - Wave:3 wins
- ▲Connection: USB (vs XLR).
Why Neumann - U 87 Ai wins
- ▲Max SPL — 5.83% more. 127 dB vs 120 dB.
Spec comparison
Spec
| Spec | Elgato - Wave:3 | Neumann - U 87 Ai |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Condenser | Condenser |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid | Multi (3 patterns) |
| Frequency response | 70Hz–20kHz | 20Hz–20kHz |
| Max SPL | 120 dB | 127 dBlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Elgato - Wave:3 | Neumann - U 87 Ai |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | USBlead | XLR |
| Headphone out | truelead | false |
Frequently asked
Spec-level deep dives
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