SM57
Price: $100
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Freq Response: 40Hz - 15kHz
Sensitivity: -56dB
Impedance: 310-ohms
SM57
Price: $100
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Freq Response: 50Hz - 15kHz
Sensitivity: -54.5dB
Impedance: 300-ohms
SM7B
Price: $400
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Freq Response: 50Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: -59dB
Impedance: 150-ohms
Today we're comparing three of the most popular microphones of all time, the Shure SM57, SM58, and SM7b.
The build quality of all of these microphones is just insane. The SM57 and SM58 are legendary in this department as there are videos of them being run over by tour buses and still working. These two mics are a handheld design with all metal bodies. The SM57 has a plastic casing around the capsule and grills, but there's little to no pop filter. The SM58, has a ball pop filter which does offer a tiny bit of wind protection. The SM7b is significantly larger, and I believe to be more of a studio microphone. It also has an all metal construction with an preinstalled mounting system, and an exterior pop filter design. It also has a high pass filter, and a presence boost switch available.
The frequency response of these mics vary pretty significantly. The SM57 is a brighter microphone with a roll off beginning at 200Hz, and a minor cut from 250-600Hz. At 2khz we see a gradual rise that peaks around 6kHz at +7dB. It then rolls off after that. The SM58 rolls off at around 120Hz, and a VERY minor cut from 300Hz to 1kHz followed by a gradual presence boost from 1kHz peaking at 5khz at +5dB. It then gradually rolls off again with a drastic cut around 7.5kHz. The SM7b has a more recessed low-end, with a less drastic roll off and a minor cut from 1kHz and below. From 1kHz to 4kHz it is flat at which point there are 1dB peaks and valeys up through 12-13kHz.
As far as the overall performance of these microphones, they all have their benefit. The SM57 sounds awesome on instruments because of the additional boost to the treble which seems to breathe life into the recordings. The SM58 is great for live vocals because the presence boost cuts through the mix, but it doesn't have an over boosted treble frequency so it doesn't sound as harsh as the SM57. Then the SM7b just sounds awesome on spoken word and singing because it has a flatter and more neutral tone, with no exaggerated boosts, which makes it much warmer, and pleasant to listen to.
SM57 Freq Resp
SM58 Freq Resp
SM7b Freq Resp
With all that being said the WINNER of this versus series is the Shure SM7b. I chose this because this series requires I pick one, and I mainly use microphones for talking or singing. Because of that I prefer the flatter tone of the SM7b, especially the fact that it yields very few issues with sibilance or an overly boomy proximity effect.
If you have any questions, or want to provide your input, please leave a comment on the youtube video.
Buy the Shure SM57
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Buy the Shure SM58
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Buy the Shure SM7B
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Buy the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen)
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