Sennheiser Profile vs...EVERYTHING! Which mic sounds best?

The Sennheiser Profile is one of my favorite USB microphones. It sounds great and is super easy to use, with full physical controls and no required additional apps or software. But it’s a new mic, and there are lots of amazing options out there, so let’s compare the Profile’s sound profile to a ton of other options so you can find what works best for you!

No processing or effects were applied to any of the mics in this video. The Profile was recorded into Adobe Audition so I could easily monitor levels, and the other USB mics were recorded directly into QuickTime. XLR mics were recorded with the generic “Dynamic” or “Condenser” options on the Rodecaster Pro 2.

🎙 MICS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO 🎙

**USB Only**

**USB/XLR Combo**

**XLR Only**

📼 Sennheiser Profile Overview:

📼 Rode NT-USB+ vs. Profile (also includes a discussion of USB vs. XLR):

💻 More About XLR vs. USB Mics:

💡Learn Something Awesome:

⏱ Chapter Markers:
0:00 - The Sennheiser Profile
0:58 - Video Context, Purpose, & Warnings
3:14 - Rode NT-USB+
4:17 - Blue Yeti
5:04 - Rode Videomic NTG
6:01 - Rode Videomic GO II
6:57 - Deity V-Mic D4
8:02 - Shure MV7
9:51 - Samson Q2u
11:13 - Samson Q9u
12:17 - Rode NT-1 5th Gen (with 32 Bit Float Demo)
15:19 - Shure SM7B
17:18 - Rode Procaster
18:09 - Blue Sona
19:18 - Rode PodMic
20:15 - Shure Super 55
21:20 - Earthworks ETHOS
22:35 - Lewitt LCT 240 Pro
23:50 - Lewitt LCT 440 Pure
25:09 - Final Thoughts
27:09 - Extra Tidbits

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Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.

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Episode 348: The Sennheiser Profile vs…EVERYTHING!

[TechTroublemaker]

Every Microphone, Everywhere, almost all at once

[adrianomoreira]

Absolutely fantastic comparison video! I've been working with audio for over 25 years, I listened to the entire video through a Sennheiser HD 560s headphone, which is a very analytical headphone.
First I want to congratulate you. Unlike many Youtubers who test microphones, you know exactly that you need to speak close to the microphone to get an idea of the sound quality.
But here are my quick impressions. I will list here the ones that seemed to me of better sound quality. But only those that have a USB function (for the convenience of plug and play, etc). Start with the best:

1. Rode NT-1 5th Gen - Quality Champion. Impressive. It is amazing for the price it costs.
2. Shure MV7 - It took second place by a very small margin. Nearly tied in terms of audio quality with second and third place. Another advantage is the application with compressor, limiter, etc.
3. Sennheiser Profile - Incredible for the price it costs. The version with the arm is a bargain.
4. Samson Q9u - This one is pretty much tied with the Sennheiser Profile. It's a somewhat overlooked mic, but a nice alternative to the Shure MV7.

Of course, I listed them based on the audio quality, but we know that there are other characteristics in each of these microphones that can make them more practical or advantageous for each type of work/person. But overall I think these 4 are the best USM mics available today.

(Sorry for the giant text. Hugs from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro)

[kevincarr]

Bought the Profile for my daughter largely due to the initial promotional video Tom put out months ago. She loves it and it, easy to set up, sounds great out of the box. Dial controls are well placed and the mic was recognized on the different devices. She's using it with her Playstation to talk to players and an iPad for Discord. I might even pick one up for use on Team calls. Really liked the package with the boom arm as well.

[danaluke]

I was looking for a USB (easy and less clutter/wires) microphone and saw your preview video of the Profile. I loved the sound of it and the simplicity... and the boom arm that comes with the podcaster package is a solid arm as well. I also like that the Profile isn't super huge and blocking my face. It seemed to take forever for them to get into the stores but I got mine last week and it is everything I hoped it would be. I'm very happy and so glad I waited for this! Great job Tom!

[NodofApproval]

I'm definitely adding this to my list of recommendations. The Profile sounds great and seems very easy to setup and start recording! Thank you for the video!

[ObscureMics]

I love these huge comp videos. 1st off... Thanks for the work put into this one. I am still shocked by the lct240... The lct440 is awesome.... The procaster was great.. The Rode video mics were surprisingly good... And the profile is pretty darn impressive.

[Emerald_City_]

This has been a _tour de force_ review/comparison for sure, and I admire you for your absence of visible fatigue and being able to record this in less than a day. One great virtue of your honed approach is perhaps its biggest downside - after hearing all those mics, the 70% of them sound so good that I can't make up my mind. Across the board (with or without the chalk) I was never bored, and the Sennheiser _Profile_ sounds the most natural to my ears.

[enyaulyaokuyan]

One of the best reviews I've seen in my life. I understand that with sponsorships, sending free microphones and advertising, some of the best-selling brands collapsed. Fun :)

[LuminairPrime]

Good sound comparison! I think the software comparison is equally important and disqualifies a lot of these mics, but that's an entire other video.

[brittany]

I appreciate all the work that went into this, Tom! Excellent comparison!

[pointandshootvideo]

Great comparison, thank you! I could hear the differences as you switched back and forth between the Profile and other mics. Well done!

[SandCo]

Great episode! Helped me consider options for mics.

[CreatorsMediaTools]

Finally made me laugh long and loud with "YouTube Pants"! Great comparison video - thanks so much! I'm getting a Profile to use with my phone for indoor remote work to compliment the VideoMic NTG that I use when recording outdoors.

[FilmFlam]

You've become my "go to Guy" for mic info. Thanks.

[karthikr]

Thanks for your review . I got this microphone a couple of days back and I am mind blown by how it works. The way it cancels out the noise is amazing. The clarity is mind blowing. in India it costs 12, 300 rupees including the boom arm. which will be 150$.

[JeanBaptisteChabi]

I love your vibe, the jokes are good. Thanks for the guide

[HomesickMac]

Oh God, I'm so happy you made this video, I löööve the comparizons of all kinds. Cool that I noticed a significant difference in the sound when you went to - and back from the VideoMic NTG (that I also have). Going back to the Profile it sounded quite middrangey but it's the caracter of that mic, and not just that it costs aprox $100 less than the NTG. It's very clear in it's frequencies and that's what shines through the whole video. I dig the mic. The XLR-options were great to listen through as well. Cheers!

[baessam]

Awesome sound! I ordered one for me after this review. Thx for the detailed review!

[AndyKow]

Awesome comparison, thanks for making it Tom! and those jokes...lol...nice.

[djtommykeys]

Thanks for the video Tom . I felt like the Sennheiser just got beat up by a bunch of kids in the school yard. The Rode Videomic Go II is a real Go To at the perfect price point. The Q2u always hangs in there with Samson super strength. The Lewitts are sweet. I don't think out of the box the Profile is dialed in properly. I expected more. Could be me.