BEHRINGER XM8500 VS SHURE SM58 - Which to Buy?!

One of the most requested videos on this channel, so I finally broke and bought an XM8500.
Gonna put it up against a bunch of other mics, including the XM1800s, SM48, SM58 and Sennheiser e835.

Wanna buy a mic or two?
US Links

Canada Links

UK Links

Time Stamps
00:00 Intro
01:13 How it compares physically
02:12 Specs
02:50 Off Axis Rejection
03:15 Plosive test
03:22 Handling Noise Test
03:40 Mic Comparison - 1800s
04:07 Mic Comparison - SM48
04:47 Mic Comparison - SM58
05:25 Mic Comparison - e835
06:30 Final Thoughts
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My Gear -

[djtommykeys]

If we weren't doing these A/B tests and you did the entire video on the XM8500 my ears would have been comfortable with it and I wouldn't have wished you had a better mic. That says a lot for a mic I can buy in 2022 for $20 from a major retailer.

[cmstrike]

I just think the XM8500 a really solid mic regardless of the price, and a great value when you consider the price.

[occupynow]

The XM8500 is probably one of the best value mics on the planet. You just can't go wrong with them. They sound amazing and are built like a tank. In a live room setting, especially with a band, good luck telling the difference with a SM58 through the PA. There just isn't one.

[robertocalderonabogado]

I like how the XM 8500 sounds. More pleasant to listen for long time.

[pathmusicwriting]

the 8500 is a perfectly serviceable mic, 99% of people who are listening to whatever you are recording aren't going to notice.

[Terribleguitarist]

As a brand new guitarist my first step up from a 5 watt kit amp was a Behringer... It wasn't a boutique bespoke masterpiece, but for a broke beginner kid it was fantastic for the price.

Seeing them go ham making "clones" of the sacred cows of audio (synths, rack gear, etc) has been fun to see. I'm not expecting them to 100% nail the original, especially at their prices points... but they're making servicable gear that's lowering the bar of entry for folks and that's awesome. Especially in the current economy.

[asfodhell]

I actually prefer the XM8500 ... Which is why I chose to use it over other available mics.
It's allowing for a high output level without getting too much treble. Makes for a more bass-y voice ... Less aggressive.
I'm certain it's less natural sounding, but that's how I like it.
I wouldn't use it for singing or to mic a guitar/bass amp cabinet (got the Peavey PVi-2 for that).
For my use, it's pretty much perfect.
It's also only 15€ in Europe ;)

[designof]

I've had an XM8500 for like 15 years now, I've used it for band vocals, streaming and podcasting. I considered upgrading to an SM7B, I ended up just buying a back-up XM8500 instead.

[bladebloodchild]

I have one of those XM8500's. Had it for years. To me it sounds a little muddier and less crisp than a SM58, more a speaking mic than a singing mic imo. If I needed more mics quick and in a hurry on a smaller budget I wouldn't reject XM8500's.

[LoftyAssertions]

I can absolutely vouch for the XM8500, insanely good value and with some processing it's fantastic for a dynamic.

[chriscutress]

As someone who has multiple SM58's and some XM8500's, It's surprising how well the Behringer XM8500 stands up against the other mics in this presentation. The Sennheiser e835 sounds best of all the mics demoed but just barely better sounding than the XM8500. I'll definately have to check out the e835 in person.

[cheeriosy]

A comparison between the e835 and the sm58 would be great, especially in some different environment and contexts!

[dancurran]

I bought an xm8500 as an upgrade to the mic on my headset that I use for conference calls. It is plugged in to a Focusrite Solo interface. I also use it for experimenting with Audacity as I learn about VO work. I have read that the Focusrite is a pretty solid piece of equipment. The mic will do me for a while and then I can upgrade it if I get serious about VO.

[itscarlosreally]

I commented on a few of your recent vids since I'm on the hunt for an "upgrade" for the XM8500, but every time I see it being compared to anything in the 100 USD range, I just believe I should stick with good old Behrry. Hahaha!

[jasonbodden]

The XM8500 held up really well to all the others. Impressive. Lots of mics better than the 58 out there. I would definitely buy the XM8500 again. The king keeps its throne here maybe but definitely is dethroned by a whole host of other dynamic mics out there. That said, I will replace my stolen SM58 at some point just to have one. And yes, because it's tried and true, built like a tank yadda yadda yadda lol.

[MohamedAhmed-lovj]

Great comparison but in fact the XM8500 is a hotter microphone. It's sensitivity is not -70 db as listed by Behringer themselves. I believe it's closer to -50 db because Behringer is using an old method of measurement or at least of reporting their numbers.
*So although the SM58 has a transformer inside, it is still a quieter mic than the xm8500.

[veesoho]

Great video, new fan here ! Wind screen included!

[steinbsand]

working on stage, with many teens the xm8500 is truely amazing or in pop up situations where gear might be exposed to people or weather, cuz while the sm58 withstands as well if not better, the pricing of the xm8500 makes it so easy to have a bunch of them if something fails, or as a back up on hand if something happens to the sm58, since the sound is quite similar. when I used to do audio engineering for a local teen bi weekly event, the lead singer and speaker mic would be a sm58 and all the back-up singers used xm8500 (it was a bit scuffed as well, so when someone had a fully acoustic guitar we also used the xm8500, with a decent EQ it sounded pretty ok.

[prodthedirtybunny]

xm8500 seems a bit more bass heavy than shure sm48 and 58

[waimeaguyz]

You be the judge since you have to live with your decision. I'm a shure sm58 man. This mic can withstand abuse and still sound good after 30+ years old, mine still sounds great. I may buy the 8500 for donation, freebie gigs. Behringer makes good gear.