Shure SM57 vs SM58 vs SM7b Comparison (Versus Series)

Today we compare three of the most popular dynamic microphones for live stage, music recording, and podcasts, the Shure SM57, SM58, and SM7b to see which one is the best. Which one do you prefer?

Buy the Shure SM57

Buy the Shure SM58

Buy the Shure Sm7b

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00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Testing Parameters
00:38 - Build Quality
01:14 - SM57 Specs & Price (Spoken Word Test)
01:30 - SM58 Specs & Price (Spoken Word Test)
01:47 - SM7B Specs & Price (Spoken Word Test)
02:04 - Polar Pattern Test
02:46 - Background Noise Rejection Test
03:04 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:25 - Music Test
04:21 - Winner / Caveats
05:24 - Explanation of Winner & Warning
06:35 - Outro

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[jacobharley]

Crazy how they sound very similar on voice but very different on guitar..

[danitwisted]

It's simple
Sm7b - Studio
Sm58 -Live
Sm57 - guitar and snare

[CoachAdamRuns]

My SM58 is more than 20 years old and still sounds as good as the day I bought it.

[djago]

I just copped an SM57 and I am amazed at how fit it is for podcasting. Very nice warmth and isolation of the sound.

[Kizamime]

I'm just mostly surprised at how similar they all sound to each other. Sure, there are differences, but just wow. I expected the SM7b to be drastically different to the 57 and 58.

[bababooie]

This is the best review I’ve ever seen, on anything. No dilly-dallying, just pure info. Love it, keep up the great work Podcastage!

[rodmanhanson]

I am a big fan of the SM57 across the board. I own a number of mics and I keep coming back to it for vocals, instruments, etc...

[thomaslanterman]

bought an SM57 50 years ago w/ wind screen at Guitar Center and it still sounds great.

[MeTuLHeD]

When I lived in NC, me and one of my buds went into my studio and recorded some material using eight different mics ranging from dynamics to condensers to ribbons to tubes. Of course, the SM57 was among the mics we tested. What we proved to our own satisfaction was that with judicious use of EQ and "smoothing" (mostly using compression) we were able to make all of those mics sound virtually identical. It was an amazing experience which taught me a LOT about recording and cost versus performance ratios.

[ColossalView]

The SM57 is my go to mic for recording everything honestly

[axel.lessio]

A couple of years ago when recording the final vocal tracks for a song I booked a studio with an expensive Neumann and a soundproof room and fantastic analog gear. Then I realized the demo sounded a lot better and it was recorded with a Shure SM57. Nowadays I always use it to record the final tracks. I know it must depend on my voice and also on how the studio environment may have impacted my performance, but for me the inexpensive Sm57 in a crappy room is always the top choice. Same goes for the SM7b, excellent mic, I'll probably try using that to track some songs in the future.

[scottmorrison]

THANK YOU for yet another wonderful mic test!

In my opinion - and I've owned all three - the SM7b has two variables that create an artificial difference between it and the SM57 and SM58. First, the capsule of the SM7b is a few inches away from the end of the mic. This may be one of the reasons its output is lower than the SM57/SM58. Second, there is no such thing as a presence "boost" in a passive dynamic microphone, such as the SM7b. Rather, ALL BUT THE "BOOSTED" FREQUENCY ARE CUT. This might also further explain (a) a lower signal level of the SM7b than the SM57/SM58 and (b) the "smoother flatter" response of the SM7b over the SM57/SM58.

Bottom line, a fair comparison of all three mics would be to "not cut" the higher frequencies of the SM7b by setting it to "boost" so they're all the same electrically, then either removing the SM7b cage - OR - tape a ruler to the ends of the SM57/SM58 to mimic the distance from the SM7b capsule to the "end" of the mic. (Might want to remove the ball from the SM58 to further level the playing field.)

[christopherecatalano]

I dumped an SM7b...just needed too much gain and the noise floor became apparent if not a huge factor in a mix. Fun to hand hold and yell like a maniac into it without clipping the shit out of though. The 57 is so versatile and rather cool live if you are a stand and deliver vocalist...If you move, 58. They are all gooood.

[benjaminmellingen]

I would get the SM57 with a wind cap on the top. Can be used for absolutely everything and sounds amazing

[tauriello]

The 58 is the mic I use for my podcast. My wife ( my co-host) uses what turned out to be a fake 58. The fake actually sounds good. Its brighter the the genuine 58 which I find a little dark. Still I think the 58 is a great mic and I'll continue to use it. The 7B, to my ear, does not sound "300 dollars better" than the 58 and it requires a lot of boost. I am curious about the Rode Podmic but I already own too many mics. I'll put that on "hold." Thanks for your great reviews and your snarky sense of humor! BTW the 58 works great with the Rode Rodecaster PRO.

[sassulusmagnus]

I agree with the presenter. Having used all 3 mics, I would say that the SM7B has a flatter response (without EQ) and is noticeably clearer or more detailed sounding. They're all good mics, though. The SM7B's low output can be addressed by incorporating a 48V signal booster such as the Cloud Lifter between the mic and the preamp. Can you make all 3 sound almost indistinguishable? Yes, if you manipulate gain and EQ settings you can bring all 3 mics into their shared range. But the SM7B will be able to deliver a degree of clarity and detail that is beyond the range of the other two. If that's what you need, then it is worth the extra cash. They all sound great on guitar cabs.

[LubuisLchannel]

4:43 "it's build like a tank... I just dented my desk"

[TracyBarfield]

I liked the SM58 sound the best, will be Shurely getting one soon!

[robertnoll]

I've been using SM58's since the early 70's. These thing are almost impossible to kill. They been on the road with me for years.

[DihelsonMendonca]

SM57 sounds best for me ! I have tested here on my studio also. It´s the best one. The problem is finding the original shure.