Earthworks Mic Comparison: Ethos vs Icon Pro 

I just wanna say thank you so much for this video. I feel like you’ve done the best job of any of the videos I’ve seen and pointing out the differences between these two microphones. I’m halfway through the video and I’m so not sure which one would be better for me, but you’ve given me a lot to think about.

I just wanna say thank you so much for this video. I feel like you’ve done the best job of any of the videos I’ve seen and pointing out the differences between these two microphones. I’m halfway through the video and I’m so not sure which one would be better for me, but you’ve given me a lot to think about. Your description of ethos is exactly what I think drew me to the microphone in the first place. It has some of that SM7B style, but with a lot more clarity in the mids and highs. I really like the detail in the ethos.

2:20 Two to three minutes of very helpful comparison which I have not seen in other videos of these microphones. It really gives you a feel for the real world use of these mics.

It's good to hear this from a professional rather than reading about it on a forum.

Mark, nice comparison. It's a very tough call, to me. Don't know why but to my ear, sans processing the Icon seems more in line with a 416 perhaps, than the Ethos, FWIW. As you say, and, agreed, neither is a bad or wrong choice. Also, in my testing, the Ethos really require EQ to bring it into focus for VO use, and perhaps same with the Icon. It totally transforms it into a very appealing mic, and once there, it's very much in the realm of a 416, to me. Thanks for the shootout!

Icon sounds really nice. But the Ethos is the clear choice, to my ear, anyway. Great vid!

Great comparison! I’ve had both mics since they came out and love them. Your EQ tips from the last video make it sound way better though! Any chance you can do a video on your studiobricks setup? I know you did the short tour, but would love more details on the setup and how you’ve found it/if you’d recommend. I was looking at one of their studiobricks one VO packages and am wondering how it’ll do/if it’s worth the cost. Thanks and happy holidays!

These both sound great... if I didn't already have something I would be looking at these

I own both but the ethos is something else.

For oud which microphone suggestion please.

I really like the Ethos more I think - but then I think that has something to do with the fact that you're further off from it? And I like to get really close to the mic to make up for my terrible recording space. Maybe what I need is something like the Icon Pro, but the one I really like is the Ethos, at least on your voice and with how you're using them.

Listening to their differences while you talk about them is very educational. You nailed it! I'd like the Icon Pro (your Ss are more pronounced on the Ethos, a bit more piercing, much more natural on the Icon Pro) but I am looking for a podcast mic (pair, or three) but the room is not always going to be ideal (floating recording set up), which means the Ethos may be better? What do you think? Have you tried the Schoeps CMC641 for voice work? I am intrigued by them and I know I would be able to used them for acoustic instruments, mainly guitar. I am also a musician and would hate to spend money on mics for podcast and more money on other mics for other applications. If I can get a pair of mics that I would use for both applications I'd go that route...

Will those microphones pick up voice recordings 12 inches from the mouth in your opinion? Great job!

Which would you recommend for deep rap vocals and deep singing?

Which one first?