SM7B
Price: $400
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Freq Response: 50Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: -59dB
Impedance: 150-ohms
RE20
Price: $450
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Freq Response: 45Hz - 18kHz
Sensitivity: -56.5dB
Impedance: 150-ohms
Today we're comparing two of the most popular microphones for radio and podcasts, the Shure SM7b and the Electro Voice RE20.
The build quality of both of these mics is outstanding. They both have sturdy metal construction, and feel like they have the ability to outlast you. The SM7b has an external windscreen, which can be replaced with a larger provided windscreen. The RE20 has an internal windscreen, and it cannot be replaced, you just need to add another windscreen or pop filter in addition. Both mics have provided mounts. The SM7b mount is all you're going to get because there are no replacements, while the RE20 has a shockmount for sale that costs an additional $100.
The frequency response of these mics are quite different. The SM7b has a somewhat recessed lows & low mids section which provides a very clean low end. The RE20 is flatter in the bass frequencies which allows you to get a more authoritative tone. The SM7b has a flatter mid section while the RE20 cuts at a few points between 400 Hz and 5kHz causing the lows and highs to sound more pronounced. The air frequencies of the SM7b are cut off beginning at around 12kHz while the RE20 remains much more consistent up through 18kHz providing a much brighter tone with better clarity.
As far as the overall performance of these microphones, the RE20 sounded scooped on the electric and acoustic guitar, the singing and spoken word had much better clarity than the SM7b, and the low end was much more dominant. The SM7b provided a more natural and accurate representation of the electric guitar and acoustic guitar in lieu of the missing air frequencies. On voice, it sounded warmer and smoother, with less harshness to it.
Shure SM7b Frequency Response
Electro Voice RE20 Frequency Response
With all that being said the WINNER of this versus series is the Shure SM7b. This mic was declared the winner due to the fact it is a more versatile microphone and it sounded more natural. It does lack a bit in the air frequencies, and it does pick up more ambient noise, but I think that's a small price to pay for a more natural sounding mic that can be used in more applications than just spoken word. I should note, that I still the RE20 is a great microphone, I just believe the SM7b to be more of an all purpose microphone.
If you have any questions, or want to provide your input, please leave a comment on the youtube video.
Buy the Shure SM7B
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Buy the Electro Voice RE-20
US: http://amzn.to/2AIXoC2
UK: http://amzn.to/2yv4KTC
CA: http://amzn.to/2AI2XR3
DE: http://amzn.to/2jW1xb7
Buy the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen)
US: http://amzn.to/2vDFbzK
UK: http://amzn.to/2w8O2f6
CA: http://amzn.to/2wKGKfG
DE: http://amzn.to/2wVYnfL
