XM8500 vs SM7B: Budget vs Premium Mic - Which is Better?

In this video, we put two microphones head-to-head: the budget-friendly Behringer XM8500 and the premium Shure SM7B. Whether you're a budding podcaster, a musician on a budget, or a content creator looking for the best audio gear, this comparison is tailor-made for you!
BLIND TEST RESULTS
Mic 1: Behringer XM8500
Mic 2: Shure SM7B
PRICING FOR EQUIPMENT FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
► Shure SM7B: currentprice.io/shure_sm7b
► Custom SM7B Micplate: currentprice.io/micplates
► Behringer XM8500: currentprice.io/xm8500
► Rodecaster Duo: currentprice.io/rodcaster_duo
► Rodecaster Pro II: currentprice.io/rodecaster2
► Rode NTH-100 Headphones: currentprice.io/nth-100
► XLR Cable: currentprice.io/xlr_cable
► TRS Cable: currentprice.io/trs_cable
► Mic Stand: currentprice.io/desk_stand
► Rode PSA1+ Boom Arm: currentprice.io/psa1_plus
► Quality Acoustic Treatment Panels: currentprice.io/soundpanels
These are affiliate links, and I may earn a commission from Amazon (and others) on qualifying purchases.
BLOG POST WITH MORE INFORMATION:
► kettnercreative.com/microphon...
XLR CABLE BUYER'S GUIDE: kettnercreative.com/buyers-gu...
BEST SETUP FOR 4 PERSON PODCAST: kettnercreative.com/audio-mix...
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction
0:32 - Equipment Setup
1:15 - Microphone Price
1:43 - Looks / First Impressions
2:32 - Build Quality
3:48 - Microphone Specs
4:23 - Frequency Response
5:16 - Microphone Switches (HPF, Mid-Boost)
5:46 - Plosive Test
6:10 - Background Noise Test
6:36 - White Noise / Off-Axis Rejection
7:00 - Handling Noise
7:13 - Tap Test
7:28 - Audio Processing (EQ, Compression, etc.)
8:06 - Blind Test
8:37 - Overall Thoughts
10:12 - Recommendation
11:19 - Final Thoughts
STUDIO EQUIPMENT:
Editing Computer: currentprice.io/16_mpb_m1max
Camera: currentprice.io/sony_a7iii
Lens: currentprice.io/sigma_24_70
Headphones: currentprice.io/nth-100
Studio Monitors: currentprice.io/adam_t5v
Studio Subwoofer: currentprice.io/adam_t10s
Video Recorder: currentprice.io/ninja_v
Key Light: currentprice.io/keylight
Fill Light: currentprice.io/keylight_air
Uplight: currentprice.io/astera_ax5
Truss: currentprice.io/truss_black
SOFTWARE & TOOLS:
Final Cut Pro: geni.us/qW5K
MotionVFX Plugins: geni.us/5SFH6w
Affinity Photo: geni.us/86RLOhZ
Epidemic Sound: geni.us/eiPf1G
Envato Elements: geni.us/ENFErA
Tubebuddy: geni.us/Md6v
VidIQ: geni.us/dqUyD
Riverside FM Podcast Software: currentprice.io/riversidefm
GeniusLink: geni.us/vss0P
Website: kettnercreative.com
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Copyright: 2024 Kettner Creative Inc., All Rights Reserved.

[@SvenDesigns]

Thanks for the comparison man !

[@57RickH]

I own two of the Behringers which I use for stereo recording and am always surprised by how good they sound for what I paid for them.

[@LTPottenger]

I had a phone ring right behind my mv7 (sm7b little brother) and thought I would have to rerecord that bit. To my amazement it didn't make the recording at all.

[@jonmichaelbooshkoosh]

This is awesome! I own an xm8500 and am honestly really impressed with it. Can you do a dynacaster dcm8 vs sm7b comparison?

[@kettnercreative]

We're planning on doing the OG dynacaster later this week.

[@jonmichaelbooshkoosh]

@@kettnercreative I can’t wait! Thank you for these awesome comparisons

[@nickdual]

XM8500 is exactly cheap. I hear it so muddy

[@TechButler]

Muddy? How do you think that sounds muddy compared to the other?

[@riviere6273]

Same question as @TechButler, that isn't muddy, it's warm. Muddy would be any poorly tuned mainstream headphones and headsets with price hikes from places like Beats by Dre, Razer, Logitech, and Corsair (Pretty much all gaming brands).