Behringer XM8500 vs. Shure SM48 Comparison (Versus Series)
Ғылым және технология
Today we compare two budget dynamic microphones, the Behringer XM8500 and the Shure SM48 to determine which is the best for your home studio, stage use, or podcast.
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Buy the SM48 (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: geni.us/sm48
Sweetwater: bit.ly/354gfTz
Thomann: www.thomann.de/intl/shure_sm_...
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00:00 - Intro
00:20 - Build Quality Discussion
00:59 - XM8500 Spoken Word & Specs
01:42 - SM48 Spoken Word & Specs
02:13 - XM8500 Polar Pattern Test
02:33 - SM48 Polar Pattern Test
02:51 - Proximity Effect Test
03:05 - 2 Foot Distance Test
03:12 - Keyboard Background Noise Test
03:37 - Handling Noise Test
03:58 - Plosive Rejection Test
04:18 - Music Test (Electric / Acoustic / Singing)
06:05 - Winner
06:15 - Selection for Voice Over
06:50 - Selection for Singing
07:02 - Selection for Stage Use
07:19 - Selection for Guitar
07:46 - Why Did You Pick the Winner?
08:31 - Summary
09:05 - Outro
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Пікірлер: 308
You totally nailed it in this review. I did a side by side a few years ago with these mics and came to the exact same conclusions. XM8500 sounds better for voice (even better than sm58 to my ears) but the SM48 sounds better for instruments and has better plosives and handling noise. I will say the 8500 still sounds great on a stage even with the plosives and handling.
@QuickQuips
4 жыл бұрын
I used XM8500 and SM58 together during a small college concert as an A/V guy. The XM8500 held its own, though it has a darker sound (which tbh I like especially on male voices).
@rbeamish6492
4 жыл бұрын
@@QuickQuips I've used both together, the Behringer blows the Shure out of the water for clarity and feedback resistance
@nosweatendeavor
4 жыл бұрын
What exactly is 3:15? I'm using obs and I don't want to buy a preamp yet
@tauttechminusmanagedmusic3778
3 жыл бұрын
You should not be using either for recording instruments.
@fightermma
3 жыл бұрын
Which one would you recommend for podcasting?
I use four Behringer XM8500 mics for my weekly Open Mic Nights. Affordable, quality build and reliable. Absolutely worth the money if you just need a mic.
XM8500 was my first microphone and I didn't realize what a great choice it was until I bought several mics many times its cost later. You can't go wrong with it.
I've been gearing up to do a video all about the SM48 for entry level podcasting - I feel like it's such an under appreciated and under talked about mic. Especially if you're doing mobile podcasting, traveling or flying, and want something less expensive than your studio mics in case of damage. Great stuff as always!
I'm shopping around for a mic, exclusively for podcast needs and I'm glad I watched this as I was super curious @ how the XM8500 sounded. Really glad I tuned in. Thanks for that and that was a great review. Cheers
Great reviews and excellent comments, with well-reasoned and clearly explained conclusions. It's exactly the kind of info people need.
You are the best mic reviewer.
@user-ek3xp9hs5x
4 жыл бұрын
I agree
@triniman1219
4 жыл бұрын
Facts
@leemsky
4 жыл бұрын
I always watch his videos before buying a mic
@TheShmrsh
4 жыл бұрын
Ever
@devilcloudleitung6080
3 жыл бұрын
Can agree
The explanation of the sensitivity of the XM8500 is much appreciated. I was quite confused by the “-70dB” when I saw it on the data sheet on the Behringer website. And I couldn’t find an explanation when searching around on Google. So many thanks for the help with that.
Wonderful and great video and comparison shootout! Your just great at what you do! Thanks! :)
I have the Sm48 and just ordered the beringer xm8500 can't wait to hear it and Thanks for the review 👍
@DashenBoi
4 ай бұрын
Bruh just stay with the sm48
This was JUST what I needed! Really seems like the XM8500s are superb for the price!
Man, your comparison was pretty good! Thanks!
Perfect review, thank you!
I use the XM8500 plugged into a PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 and I love how it sounds. I use it for doing the voice over on a weekly radio show and it works perfect for what I do. I highly recommend this mic for anyone looking for a budget mic.
@furkna8692
2 жыл бұрын
I use the same setup but I can't get a usable signal without cranking up the gain to max and that makes it too loud and hissy. It is really bad and unusable for me
It s the best review i ve ever seen. Very usefull and honest. Thanks for share🙏
Amo estas comparaciones. Van directo al punto.
Exact calls I would have made and great ideas for testing. Overall very good video.
I love "versus" and I love "budget" so I love this one twice as much! I like Behringer more, somehow sound was better imo. and them keys weren't as loud.
@circedge
4 жыл бұрын
Behringer sounds like ass for instruments but yeah it wins on voice. Shure just sounds like it's heavily compressed and unnatural and Behringer's faults can probably be fixed with a little reverb and balancing the mids.
Thank you for doing the guitar comparison!
XM 8500 had a warmer tone. The SM 48 sounded a bit thin for voice. Loved the review.
@KenTeel
2 жыл бұрын
If you're singing rock stuff with screaming high end, where you want to get over the band, the SM48 would do the job. If you're crooning, and want a full sound, the XM8500 would be a better choice.
@whatskraken3886
2 жыл бұрын
@@KenTeel This is quite wrong. if you're doing screaming vocals or other harsh, aggressive things, you want less high end, and a warmer mic, not the opposite.
@KenTeel
2 жыл бұрын
@@whatskraken3886 Hummm.... interesting. So do you think that the SM58 is used by screaming vocalist in rock bands (It has a lift on the high end)?
@whatskraken3886
2 жыл бұрын
@@KenTeel the SM58 is used on quite literally everything, this is proof of nothing
@KenTeel
2 жыл бұрын
@@whatskraken3886 Yes, it is proof of something, because if what you said is true about screamers wanting to use mics that are warmer in tone, then the SM58 would not be used by them, and we all know that they are used by them. So, much for your theory.
My GOD you are the BEST!!! BEST Test comparation of this MICs forever. Thanks from ARGENTINA!!!
finally an audiophile giving me what i want and none of the extra bs thank you bro
@Kobrar44
3 жыл бұрын
KZread quality much audiophile!
best review ive seen of anything reviewed ever
I completely agree with your assessment. I would only be doing voice, so for XM8500 would likely be my choice. Thanks!
Awesome video and comparison
Great job on all of the videos. I would like to hear these budget microphones running thru the Rodecaster Pro. The XM8500 might be perfect for the guys that need to purchase 4 mics.
I've been looking for a microphone to use for electric guitar, and I love your guitar tones!
behringer sounds better to my ears -guess we are going to go snag a few of those
thanks bandrew! gonna have this budget podcast setup (xm8500+h6)
Exactly!I just bought xm8500 and it will do just right for speech.I like how it sounds.Yeah, and your reviews are class!Thumbs up
Excellent review. Completely agree. For the record I love my XM8500 but I only use it for spoken word!
This is a great review i keep looking at other reviews of more common microphones like the snowball ice from blue microphones and the last thing they do is show how it sounds when you are typing on the keyboard with the microphone, i dont have a mechanicle keyboard so the noise is not an issue but im always worried about the vibrations running through the desk. So yea this review gets a like from me.
@Podcastage
4 жыл бұрын
Happy to hear it helped.
I own both, but I have 4 XM8500 mics. I use them for field, multi-speaker podcast recordings and for open mics. I agree that the handling noise was pretty awful on the XM8500s, but I use them in boom mic stands, so that isn't an issue. I think they are great value mics, and I recommend them all the time.
That was a sick solo. I was rocking so hard with it
I'm in love with how the XM8500 sounds on instruments!
Man, first I wanna say that your content is golden! What do you recommend for LEts Play/Podcast, Xm8500 or the Q7?
I own the XM8500, I quite like the sound. I also have a Rode M2, which is a nice handheld condensor mic and a AKG D5. All mics are good and have their strengths and weaknesses, but I like the XM8500 on male spoken word. I think it is good to have a few different mics to try out on different sources.
I have this Behringer and i love this mic for voiceovers.
Many thanks for the great review - I completely agree with your review regarding the sound of the Mics. My ears registered the same as yours (XM8500 a fraction more mellow/deeper and the SM48 a little more shrill). I have an XM8500 and please with it.
@Podcastage
Жыл бұрын
Glad you are happy with the mic you have. Here's to many years of great recordings
Excellent comparison
Nice review info
You have some great reviews, really down to earth practical comparisons. In this case the Beringer wins for me.
Sm-48 for me. I’ve had both and my shure is still around. Enough said. Behringer for to me is always just ok. And their prices reflect that. (I’ve tried a ton of their products anywhere from guitar amps, to “pro audio interface equipment “ ) you get what you pay for. Amazon has the sm-48 for $30 worth every penny of the extra $10 to me. Great video.
Gotta love a content creator who sub-ironically goes 2 seconds over 10 mins to shame those that only go 1 second to grab that dough from 2 ads rather than one haha. I clicked like before 5 seconds in... I always do, as this is a good, honest and entertaining channel with the right balance of loads of things!
@Podcastage
4 жыл бұрын
Yet I didn’t take advantage of the mod roll ads that you gain from this feature. Ha.
Im glad I bought The xm8500. I was about to buy the Sm48 but it was to Expensive for My budget. But the Xm8500 Sounds better than Sm48 for Voice at least.
@DashenBoi
4 ай бұрын
I feel like they are pretty similar but im still getting the sm48 for the boosted treble and the authenticity of the brand.
Just got myself a XM8500 for voiceover after my backup mic - EditorsKeys Sl150 started to fail. I went with it over the Shure SM48 because of my main mic RODE Procaster has made me a fan of darker sounding microphones
Hi, I realy liked your guitar solo part, I want to hear much more of that.Please .....
Good comparison. Agree with your conclusions.
Very helpful easy to deduce
Absolutely accurate. Good job.
For less than 90,- I got: - XM8500 - Microphone arm set with windscreen and popfilter + cable management stuff - UCM22 - XLR Cable 6M Definitely better than getting a Blue Yeti condenser mic since my room isn’t treated well and I hate background noise :)
I'm considering buying the XM8500 + M Audio Solo interface. The purpose is podcasting and voice overs. I was just wondering if a fethead would be useful or would you say the difference in sound quality would be negligible? What are your thoughts? Many thanks for this review and your time. Appreciated.
Terrific versus review as always! Gotta give a big thumbs up for Bandrew's "Rambling Thoughts", great guitar playing, and so so singing, just saying............ :)
@Podcastage
4 жыл бұрын
That’s because I’m not a singer and I cannot afford to hire a professional to do 50+ sessions per year. Ha.
You are still the best mic reviewer in 2021!
Sorry for noob question, but can you teach how to connect XLR if you just have a laptop? Or do you need to buy mic with usb? I need a budget cardioid dynamic mic for simple voice over recording but the samson q2u and the range is over my budget in my country. Do you have recommendations for that within this behringer budget?
Overall agreed. Nice versus!
Bandrew! Have you tried the Red5 Audio RVD30? I've seen a video where its hyper cardiod polar pattern rejects ALL background noise, standing outside during a very windy and noisy day. Ps. 4:18 sounds is the theme song of Bandrew vs Shirley (I forgot her name lol)
Yo bandrew do you have the Shure 545 and 565 on your back log? They are basically the modern iterations of the predecessors to the sm57 and 58 respectively.
basically agree with pretty much every point. For podcasts or streaming on a budget, the Behringer XM8500 is really nice. If you record other stuff, take the Shure.
Have you checked out any of the mics from Thomann's Music? I'm hearing mixed reviews, but I suspect brand bias has been an issue. Thanks for all the hard work and great reviews!!!!
@perkeleman1265
3 жыл бұрын
The SC400 condenser is kinda cool for it's price, although I think the best cheap Condenser is the Superlux E205. The ~200 eur T.bone Tube mics also sounded pretty interesting, although I only heard online comparisons.
Do you have any interest in looking at field recorders for podcasting? (e.g., TASCAM 60D mkII, Zoom H4 or 5, etc.) A versus would be dope, as the kids used to say!
Great Review!! How about a PG48 vs SM48 review ?? Similarly ... a PG58 vs SM58 review ??
@williamofockham5042
4 жыл бұрын
You know what the PG stands for? Pretty Good. I
both great mics but i went with the EV RE320 for my podcast or my videos bit of a price difference, i think i went with it cause i recently found the h3h3 podcast channel and just binged watched their videos, yep I'm a fan, i watched ur video on the EV RE320 vs the rode pro caster and loved the sound of the EV RE320 so i Amazoned it up and spent £300 oh and a cloud lifter, dude as someone who has been watching ur videos since you were at like 6k subs i think really grateful that there is someone like you doing your vids so someone like me knows if i shud buy a mic or what i need to get so i dont get frustrated btw i still drink coffee while watching Bandrew says episodes,
So I want to kinda upgrade my audio game from purely gaming headsets to one of these two, could I get away with using the USB Sabrent adapter from your previous videos with the xlr to 3.5m to use the xm8500 mic for KZread Gameplay Commentary videos?
Thank u so much!
Does the XM8500 need a shockmount? I'll use it for streaming, podcast and singing
This is exactly the video I needed for my tiebreaker. Since I just want to use a vocoder I'll be getting the XM8500. As far as recording my accoustic guitar, I do agree with your assessment. Though I am partial to the warmer tone of the XM8500, I like bass and I will be going into the "Voice of God" territory.
I do live shows with two powered monitors with 8 mic mix down from a mixer. Should I use a unidirectional mic or cardiod pattern ones to avoid whistling sound?
Hey, I'm interested in you reviewing that freakish ASUS ROG Strix Magnus gaming mic, which supposedly has some nifty "environment noise cancelling" which can even defeat the obnoxious Cherry MX Blues key stomping noise during lively gameplay. You are the perfect guy for testing its capabilities.
Wow now I know that I can talk into the side of the mic to sound like I'm on old radio instead of using noise filters, this is more fun than I thought.
@savanaviolenta
3 жыл бұрын
I tought so
if you decrease the gain will the background noise (keyboard) disappear or at lost not hearing it so much?
your guitar skills are actually nuts tho
I bought the XM8500 per your recommendation in another video and I can't figure out why I have to be right next to the mic for it to pick up anything. We're talking mouth on the mic. Even with the gain on the preamp all the way up, with everything turned off in Windows that's usually recommended in the videos and articles explaining how to fix low input volume. I've since given up and went back to my HyperX Cloud 2 headset, which is sad because there's no way that mic should perform better than the Behringer.
Xm8500 better to my ears, thank you for versus
please do on behringer xm8500 vs samson q7?
Could you please review the Behringer TM1 ?
Sir thank you for your reviews with Beringer xm8500... Would it work with Zoom H6... I consider to have an economic microphone for my future street interviews. I don't want it gets all the ambiance voices around. O i consider buying this one. Thank you in advance...
which one would you recommend for recording vocals in a room?
Sweet, thank you
Which to pick , xm 8500 or shure sm58 ? I'll be just singing in headphones
I agree with you and with Steven Smith.
Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone can help me with decision making. So the xm8500 is out of stock in our country and said it will take longer for them to have another re-stock. Will the PGA48 be good enough to substitute in for the xm8500?
the only channel I click like before I actually watch the video
Could you also do the Behringer SL 75c vs the Shure SM 57?
very useful
I just wonder. Initially I really liked the XM8500, but then I started to like the the SM48. Is it just me or is the XM8500 a bit muddy in the bass register? I mean it is really easy to remove some bass In post.
Хорошее сравнение. XM8500, действительно неплох. Использую пару в студии для репетиций и он действительно справляется и звучит весьма ровно и сбалансирован. Что касается Инструментальных миков, то я нашел очень интересную альтернативу SM57-му - JTS в аналогичном оформлении. Звучит очень близко к 57му и натурально, в отличие от китайской реплики 57-го, которая режет верхами и достаточно плоская.
Literally the best Mic reviewer on youtube.
maybe blending the XM8500 with a SM57 would sound great for high gain guitars, since the 8500 seems a bit dark and the 57 is quite a brite mic. Im gonna try this out myself, pretty interested in the results.
What if I wanna podcast with an occasional music session which mic is best?
I bought this one yesterday just waiting for some of it to arrive, i cant believe how it barely picks up mx blues,
Can I connect the XM8500 directly to the PC with a XLR-P2 cable without losing quality?
wow if that music is from songs i wanna know what songs tho your voice is good to im thinking of getting into an axlr setup idk what i need tho im looking at the behringer uphoria m2 or whatever and the behringer XM8500 for the mic other than an xlr cable idk what i need
This review was awesome! I've never seen a reviewer test microphones so thoroughly in so many different situations identically, I love it. I think the XM8500 sounded better for vocals, but the SM48 sounded better for instruments. The SM48 might also be better for handheld situations but the XM8500 is better for if you have a proper mount.
Hello! I'm considering upgrading from my blue snowball to something more like this, would an xm8500 with something like a umc22 or um2 be a good choice for youtube videos?
@johnnyfrisco5354
3 жыл бұрын
Yes sounds good
Do they come with some type of arm or something to hold them?
Hey do you think if i use XM8500 & Behringer UMC22 for streaming and music covers will be a good idea? or do you think i should go with another mic?
@johnnyfrisco5354
3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a good idea
Some notes on the XM8500: It does sound great on guitar. First off, you don't just place it wherever and complain about the boominess. Just move the mic around to a few spots until you hit a good location. It's the same with any mic. Second, eq the thing, if you get more low-end because the mic is giving you more, just cut some if you want. It's not a worse mic because it has a more complete eq curve. For vocals, the only negative I have on the mic is that the proximity effect is more aggressive and transitions more awkwardly than an SM58. It's not a deal breaker, but you have to work harder during singing vs a 58. Personally, I wouldn't buy the 48 for any reason. The XM8500 is overall a better mic in terms of detail. Buying a 48 is a step down. If you want something slightly nicer get a 58.
@jonsubs9998
4 жыл бұрын
@@---pp7tq Yes. I have better mics, and when recorded right, the acoustic guitar is hard to tell which mic is better. If I show you 3 recordings, one the XM8500, the others a $200 mic and a $300 mic, you might be able to pick them apart but it would take serious listening several times in solo. In short: You can definitely get good guitar recordings with the XM8500. Good placement, and DAW treatment are more important.
Im from Dominican Republic but i wacth all your reviews... Thanks
I don't know I felt the XM8500 sounded really nice and not as shrill as the Shure SM48 even on the guitars, now it could be I am under the weather but I do prefer a deeper tone in microphones. Even the handling noise sounded about the same....again though my head is really plugged up so I might be missing a lot of sounds.