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.

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
US: http://amzn.to/2xRwYHY
UK: http://amzn.to/2ytVeEd
CA: http://amzn.to/2xRWNHC
DE: http://amzn.to/2l3OEPw

Buy the Shure SM58
US: http://amzn.to/2vUqSpr
UK: http://amzn.to/2uS4rEG
CA: http://amzn.to/2uuLnd3
DE: http://amzn.to/2iN5yQX

Buy the Shure SM7B
US: http://amzn.to/2vNFre5
UK: http://amzn.to/2iLW0pH
CA: http://amzn.to/2emW6Pr
DE: http://amzn.to/2vwlIUR

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

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.

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
US: http://amzn.to/2vNFre5
UK: http://amzn.to/2iLW0pH
CA: http://amzn.to/2emW6Pr
DE: http://amzn.to/2vwlIUR

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

Shure SM57 vs SM58 vs SM7b Comparison (Versus Series)

SM57

SM57

SM7B

Shure SM7b vs. Electro Voice RE20 Comparison (Versus Series)

SM7B

RE20