Electro Voice RE320 vs RE20 vs RE27 N/D Comparison (Versus Series)

RE320

Price: $300
Freq Resp: 45Hz - 18kHz
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Sensitivity: ~ -52dB
Impedance: 150-Ohms

RE20

Price: $450
Freq Resp: 45Hz - 18kHz
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Sensitivity: ~ -56.5dB
Impedance: 150-Ohms

RE27 N/D

Price: $500
Freq Resp: 45Hz - 20kHz
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Sensitivity: ~ -52dB
Impedance: 150-Ohms

Today we're comparing three of the most popular microphones for podcasting, radio broadcasting, and let's play gamers; the Electro Voice RE320, RE20, and RE27 N/D.

The build quality of all of these microphones is nearly identical. They have the same chassis for the most part, with minor cosmetic differences. There are vents that run the length of the body that allow for the variable D technology to decrease the proximity effect. They all have a steel body and a good amount of weight to them. The RE320 & RE20 have a single high pass (low cut) switch, while the RE27 N/D has 3 switches, (2) high pass switches, and (1) high cut switch.

The frequency response of these mics vary pretty significantly. The RE320 has a minor bass boost of 1dB between 150 & 250 Hz, and then has a relatively flat mids section. There is a significant 5dB presence and treble boost from 3.5kHz to 10kHz. It flattens between 13-15kHz and then cuts the remainder of the air. The RE20 has the flattest response, remaining consistant between 70Hz and 400Hz with multiple 1-2dB cuts between 400Hz and 5kHz which is followed by a 1-2dB boost from 5kHz - 12kHz at which point it gradually rolls off the air frequencies. The RE27 N/D has a flat bass and mid section with a significant boost beginning at 1kHz peaking at 5dB around 4kHz. And then begins to roll off at 8kHz gradually all the way up to 20kHz.   

When it comes to the overall performance of these microphones, they are very different. The RE320 is a very bright microphone with a significant presence and treble boost. This allows your voice to really stick out and pop, but to me it sounds top heavy. It did sound the best on the electric guitar and acoustic guitar out of all three mics.

The RE20 had the most neutral sound with minor cuts and boosts throughout the frequency response. The minor cuts to the mids does make it sound on the verge of being scooped, but it's not terrible. Out of all of the mics in this comparison, it sounded the best for singing and spoken word.

The RE27 N/D was the most jarring of the 3 microphones. It's natural boost was very unflattering on voice, so much so that I had to run it with the high cut enabled. Due to the boost starting at 1kHz, it tended to have a honkier tone. Additionally, the off axis coloration was the least flattering on this microphone.

RE320 Freq Resp

RE20 Freq Resp

RE28 Freq Resp

With all that analysis, the WINNER of this versus series is the Electro Voice RE20. I chose this microphone in lieu of it's flaws. Those being it has the quietest output of all the microphones in this comparison, and the minor cuts in the mids make it sound on the verge of sounding scooped. The main reason I did pick it though is due to the it having the flattest and most neutral tone. However, this is a tone that I personally prefer for spoken word and singing, so this may not be for everyone.

If you have any questions, or want to provide your input, please leave a comment on the youtube video.

Buy the Electro Voice RE-320
US: http://amzn.to/2hmCSup 
UK: N/A
CA: N/A
DE: http://amzn.to/2fEkFbE

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 Electro Voice RE27 ND
US: https://amzn.to/2lQoZaz 
UK: N/A
CA: N/A
DE: https://amzn.to/2MHkqdN

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

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
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

AT-2020 vs AT-2035 vs AT-2050 Comparison (Versus Series)

AT-2020

Price: $100
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Freq Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: -37dB
Max SPL: 144dB
Self Noise: 20dB

AT-2035

Price: $150
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid
Freq Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: -33dB
Max SPL: 148 - 158dB
Self Noise: 12dB

AT-2050

Price: $230
Polar Ptrn: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8
Freq Response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity: -37dB
Max SPL: 144dB
Self Noise: 20dB

Today we're comparing the entire 20 series of microphones from Audio-Technica; the AT-2020, AT-2035, and AT-2050 in order to determine which is the best option for you.

The build quality of these mics is very similar. They all feel as though they're built of the same material which does not feel cheap at all. All of the mics use an identical (or nearly identical) chassis to house the electronics, but the AT-2020 has a slightly short XLR stem at the bottom of the mic. The other difference between the mics is apparent in the switches. The AT-2020 has no switches, the AT-2035 has a -10dB pad and an 80Hz high pass switch, while the AT-2050 has a -10dB pad, 80Hz high pass switch, and 3-way polar pattern selector.

The frequency response of these mics has some significant differences. The graph below overlays the frequency response of all 3 mics (on the cardioid polar pattern). The 2020, has the most significant bass cut which makes the mic sound somewhat thin on voice. The 2050 has the flattest bass response, but also the most prominently boosted presence with a peak around 4kHz and a peak in the air around 12kHz. The 2035 lies right in between these two microphones with a more subtle bass cut, a more subtle presence boost and an air boost peaking at around 14kHz. 

As far as the overall performance of these microphones, the AT-2020 sounded thin on the voice due to the more substantial bass cut and consistent treble boost. The AT-2050 sounded overly boosted in the presence and treble frequencies which made it sound somewhat brittle, and slightly unpleasant to listen to. Of these three microphones the 2035 seems to offer the most natural response for spoken word.

The darkest line is the 2050, the 2nd darkest is the 2035, and the lightest is the 2020. 

With all that being said the WINNER of this versus series is the AT-2035. I chose this as the winner because it did of the most natural sound on spoken word. It did have a somewhat muddy sound on the electric and acoustic guitar, but this could be resolved by throwing on a high pass filter in post or by initializing the 80Hz high pass on the microphone. All around, of these three microphones, I just think that the 2035 did one thing the best.

If you have any questions, or want to provide your input, please leave a comment on the youtube video.

Buy the AT2020: 
US: http://amzn.to/1T73QEI
UK: http://amzn.to/2eIWqbM
CA: http://amzn.to/2wWf6j2
DE: http://amzn.to/2gn5enC

Buy the AT2035
US: http://amzn.to/2b9Fbj9
UK: http://amzn.to/2aFhJew
CA: http://amzn.to/2wn6Ozm
DE: http://amzn.to/2vOcRJx

Buy the AT2050
US: http://amzn.to/2Hl7cl0
UK: http://amzn.to/2EIVfHv
CA: http://amzn.to/2C1kfZt
DE: http://amzn.to/2o5YEGT