Shure SM7dB Review / Test (vs. Dynacaster, Sona, & More)

Today I review new Shure SM7dB. Does this improve the noise floor of your recordings? Is it worth the money? Should you buy it? In this review I compare it to the SM7b as well as a bunch of other microphones so you can hear it. Other than that it sounds like an SM7b just with a hotter output, so if that's something that sounds appealing it may work for you, but keep your expecations on low noise recording in check.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Mic: No EQ Switches, Preamp Mode +28dB
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: ~12:00
Boosted in Post: +6dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Freq Response : 50Hz - 20khz
Sensitivity: -59dB / -41dB / -31dB
Impedance: 150 Ohms (27 Ohs in Preamp Mode)
Power Requirement: 48V DC Phantom Power

Buy the Shure SM7dB? (Affiliate Link)

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:27 - What’s in the Box
00:49 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:48 - Specifications
02:00 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:17 - Plosive Test
02:33 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:56 - Background Noise Test
03:11 - Untreated Room Test
03:30 - Shock Rejection Test
03:45 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:59 - EQ Switch Demo
05:00 - Does the SM7dB Have a Quieter Noise Floor?
07:01 - Intro to Comparison
07:32 - Shure SM58 Comparison
07:58 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
08:26 - Rode Podmic Comparison
08:55 - sE Electronics DCM6 Comparison
09:36 - Shure MV7x Comparison
10:05 - Rode Procaster Comparison
10:33 - sE Electronics Dynacaster Comparison
11:08 - Audio Technica BP40 Comparison
11:33 - Logitech Blue Sona Comparison
12:04 - Beyerdynamic M201tg Comparison
12:34 - Electro Voice RE20 Comparison
13:16 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
14:00 - Music Test
15:28 - Pros & Cons
17:53 - Overall Thoughts
19:22 - Is the SM7dB Better Than the SM7b?
20:50 - Recommendation
23:20 - Conclusion

#Sm7dB #Podcast #MicReview

Check Out This Stuff TOO:

[Roos-Reviews]

Wow, they actually made an SM7b that no one will need a cloud lifter or Fethead for. Well played.

[Xerpocalypse_]

This video had me chuckling quite a lot with your quips. Love your enthusiasm and thorough methodology.

[tdata]

I was going to ask about the cloudlifter but waited for the video to end, and sure enough, you covered it, since you're amazingly thorough.

[RonnieLeBlancMusic]

Love your content and delivery man! Thank you for the help!!

[artmaltman]

FANTASTIC COMPARISON. Concise, comprehensive and clear. What I learned: (1) I prefer the Shure sound over the other microphones you tested. (2). I have a slight preference for SM7B over the SM7dB +18/+28. The latter sound just a tad less rich. (3). My 3rd favorite was the MV7x. (4). To MY ear, none of the other microphones were competitive with the Shures ... but I love a rich, warm, radio sound. I learned so much in this video. Thank you!

[DocX]

Excellent quality video. Best recording equipment review channel on YouTube.

[skilletfan]

I love how this solidifies that Shure hasn't changed anything between the dB and the B variants besides adding a preamp circuit. I was hoping there wouldn't be any change, not that I'd buy the dB unless it was like 10x better in other areas. Has a good use case I'm sure, but I'll stick to my normal SM7B :) Shoulda Post-faced this earlier, I'm listening to this on my ATH-M70X headphones. I still REALLY like the SM7dB on your voice, but the U87 Ai always takes the cake ;)

[LukasHaydenOfficial]

"This microphone is on loan" <throws box as hard as he can>

[TheEarthMaster]

Thanks! I just bought this mic for my channel, been using a blue yeti for a while and wanted to try an upgrade.

[crazygreek]

SM7dB and the Shure mini interface is the perfect high budget travel podcast combo funnly enough

[j.powellnetwork]

It's a loaner from Shure and you still threw the box. Respect.

[thebreakfastmenu]

As soon as this mic came out, I was like "Can't wait for Bandrew's inevitable review next week."

[geekdomo]

Great review, I just got this mic as a replacement for a stolen Heil PR40 and love the way this sounds.

[techmed-rainer]

Hi Bandrew, thank you very much for this perfectly produced review of the new kid on the block. We are both aware that you love the sound of the SM7(d)B while it's not my first choice. It's a good industry standard, though. In the comparison section, I prefered the RE20 over the SM7dB. By the way, I love your constant control microphone - Hello Neumann ❤ I listened to this video with my Neumann NDH 30 studio headphones.

[RealHomeRecording]

Correction: The DynaCaster retails for $290, not "around $350".

Awesome comparison, thanks for level matching them! The kind of video I wish existed back when I first started sound engineering!

[AJ]

Well done. Really effective to continually go back to the dB for comparison. I appreciate your work on this.

[TheMatrixxandRhodesShow]

This microphone is 5 years too late. Lots of interfaces now can power the SM7B without a need for an inline preamp.

[Rummy]

Thank you for the thorough set of comparisons. The list of pros and cons was very valuable to hear. I really like how you explained that the Neumann u87 is a point of reference. I'd employ them differently based on the music or broadcast application.

[artysanmobile]

Very smart move by Shure. Boosters are suspect to me due to the two added connections. A preamp belongs in the microphone where gain is done in the most well-protected, shielded environment and with no additional exposure to interconnect problems. Every condenser mic ever made uses a preamp for the purpose of changing impedance. While they’re at it, voltage gain is employed to present every preamp with a workable signal level. Even ribbons use preamps now to make them more usable. Shure is some crazy conservative company to wait this long, but it is welcome.

[DouglasThompson]

Great video but I just feel like it sounds so similar to the 58 but a bit more round on the bottom. I think I will stick with my current mics.