SHURE KSM8 vs SM7b and EV RE 20 -- Which $399 mic is best? | Booth Junkie 

Personally, I like the RE20 of the bunch, but that KSM8 is slick. What do you think?

RE20 sounded phenomenal in this comparison video.

Dude. Your energy is fantastic!

The candid takes are so great

This is a great review. And it's timely as well, as I just bought the KSM 8 and own an RE20 (which is in dire need of repair). The KSM will arrive tomorrow and your review has pretty well validated my purchase. I'm brand new to v/o and your videos have been invaluable. Thanks for all the great info!

Another quality mic test. Thanks for the in depth and thoughtful analysis and test.

Love these extended comparisons

Excellent review and presentation in every respect! Thank you!

BOOM! I'm here Mike! Let's do this!

Wow 😍😍 the quality is amazing! Probably better than most famous ASMR videos

Great video Mike!

Great Booth Junkie video as always. I've never gotten my hands on an RE20 but prefer the SM7b for singing (more forgiving, super familiar feeling proximity effect) and the KSM8 (wider sweet spot, cleaner more "broadcasty" sound) for voice over. Both would excel at either.

Welcome back man!

Great Comparisons!! That KSM8 is awesome for $399

Mike, The KSM9 from Shure is a large diaphragm Condenser Mic. It is basically a KSM32 in a hand held form factor.

I just picked up the ksm8. I've also got the RE20 and the SM7B. Doing a 2 person podcast in a room that's not ideal for recording. RE20: I think this has too much sibilance. At least it did for us. We may not keep these. SM7B: Great microphone. Also has some sibilance. ksm8: I just did a quick test. I think it has a more natural sound. Maybe? Less sibilance depending on how I was using it. Note: Looking for a microphone that's more portable and sounds good. More testing is needed. Thanks again for another great review.

Currntly using the Procaster, and very happy with it. Would be interesting to try the KSM8 though.

A nice mic comparison. Very helpful. I have an RE 20 and now a KSM8 . I like both. A good thing about the KSM8 is that ,being a singing drummer , I can drift a little from the mic and it doesn't drop off as much as some mics. Anyway, great comparison...thank you. This comes up as Micah Bradley for some weird reason but I'm Edward Bradley

Wow that ksm8 is a beautiful mic, would love to have one one day.

Would love to see a comparison between the KSM8 and a good old-fashioned SM58.

Cool. Thank you

Just a few months ago I found that the Blue Spark SL works out perfect for my setup. Slowly but surely I'm learning how to EQ my voice :)

For broadcasting im not sure, but I have sung into both a SM7b and an RE-20 both were a no go for my voice. I wound up going for a tube mic. What I had was an AKG Solidtube. That said, singing is much different than talking. My voice has a harsh frequency that prevails unless eq'd out or use a tube mic. This ksm8 sounds really good. Every mic has a place and use. In a recording studio The RE-20 is my favorite bass amp mic ever.

Love the "DVE Yinz" sticker!! Fellow Yinzer here!!

I love the re20 on vocals… I have a 7b and a great selection of condenser mics and find that the re20 works best with my voice. I wish I would have tried it earlier but at least I have a mic locker now 😅

(Sorry for bad translate) I hear it, with some similarity with sm7b, with some settings on the video. The ksm8 has one specific feature in the bass that the other mics in this review don't have. He's have a transparent bass. Seems to be more articulated regardless of distance. In other videos about ksm8 with singing tests, a similar thing was noticed. (I'm a former electric guitarist) It's like a voice, it's the sound of a string from a guitar cabinet. You can clearly hear the pitch, and all the other harmonics associated with it. This sounds incredibly cool in live vocals, both female and male, acapella, and lyrical texts. No options in terms of singing into it rather than speaking. He simply puts both of the others on shoulder blades. I can't wait) Soon I will have one too. 😊

Mike, I've a mad idea. Maybe run any mic at equal distances from the source , like 1 ft from from your mouth, run them at same channel settings through a computer with a graphic display, as opposed to a graph on paper.. Just to see exactly how the microphones perform against each other in real time? People all having different voices can visually see the difference? Just a thought. Thanks for putting the work into these videos and posting them for us 👍

The only dynamic mic that would make a big difference is an active dynamic and those are very rare. The only one that comes to mind on the market right now is the Blue encore 200 and active dynamic mics take phantom power like a condenser microphone. But the KSM8 sound like it would make a great drum mic for snare drum. Love the channel keep up the great work.

The ksm 8 actually sounded bassier from proximity than the sm7b when you got right up to its grill, becs the 7b has a cage around it that prevents you from getting closer than about three inches from the diaphragm. But, the ksm8 sounded a little bit fuller from two inches away than the 7b did when you were two inches in front of it (which is actually about four or fi e inches from the diaphragm)..

To my ears, the EV sounds best in this comparison. Great job as always!!!

Yes, interesting comparaison between the two Shure mics, but the thing is that the KSM8 is a stage microphone above all, that is, to be handled, feature that does not apply to the other two dynamics compared (SM7b and RE20) which are studio mics. Inevitably the KSM8 has less configuration features (high pass filter, etc), therefore the comparaison is not quite fair with the other two studio mics. If anyone wants to have a studio only, than can buy one of those, and if anyone wants first of all a stage mic, then, buy the KSM8 (by the way, the KSM9 is a condenser mic, not a dynamic one), which, if necessary can also be used in a studio. The KSM8 could have been compared with another stage dynamic mic, like Heil PR37 for instance, also very good at rejection the handling noise.

I personally like the SM7b over the KSM8 but Hearing the EVRE for the first time it has a great sound as well. Imo the KSM8 is my least favorite of the 3. The 7b lacks a little bit of the highs that the EVRE hits but the HPF on the 7B helps it a bit. (I use my 7B with the added highs and the default bass and it does what i want it to.)

Mike, I would love if you could review the Sennheiser MD441. This is about as "High end" as Dynamics get. It might be interesting.

The KSM8 is great! But sounds kinda muddy. Of three, i guess the RE 20 is a real king. I hope that i can buy someday. Sorry for my english and greetings from Peru, Mike. U are the best!

hi great video

I'm listening on my stereo speakers and not my usual headphones, but from this setup I think the KSM8 sounds clearer to me. The SM7B sounds a little muffled and less detailed by comparison.

And, just like that, Sweetwater raises their price $50 of the RE20 when Booth Junkie does a video. Hahaha.

Not bad, the ksm8 - rich but still crisp. The famous “dullness” or “80s local radio station late night voice”-style of the sm7b is very easy to notice in direct comparison.

I own both the SM7b and the EV RE20. For Voice Over work, the RE20 has a warmer more FM radio sound in my opinion than the SM7B. For male singers however, the SM7b is often the go-to mic when a dynamic was needed. To me, the KSM8 seems more enhanced in the upper registers of frequencies over the SM7b in the same way that a Beta58 is enhanced over a SM58. More harmonics, more air in the upper mids and highs...if ever so slightly. IMHO

when i crank my audio i can clearly hear preamp noise with the sm7b while the ksm8 is crystal clear.

I'm going to have to go in the following numerical descending order of preference: 1) RE20 2) KSM8 3) SM7B

Do you reckon you could take a trip back to the USB mic reviews and Review the Samson C01u Pro?

Would like to hear a comparison with the condenser Sennheiser MK4

Yeah, the RE20 sounds great. I own the SM7B but I never use it boost with low cut on at the same time. Then the SM7B sounds kinda weird. I also bought the BP40 from Audio Technica an I do think - for voice overs - the most under estimated mikes out there. Could ya get one of those inside your booth, Junkie? I'd love to hear your opinion on the BP40.

Hi! The sm7b produces a hum

Mmmm, that KSM8 sounds glorious! I like mics that have a more present clarity. I personally find the SM7b to be a bit dull.

To my ears, I didn't notice that big of a difference between them when you were back from the mics. When you got close up was when I noticed the biggest difference. The KSM8 gave much more presence, as a side effect I did notice more base but it was because you were louder. Great for music recordings and stage, as the performer or speaker doesn't have to rely on an engineer to give them more presence, they have it when they want it. The SM7B in all configurations had more flat profile. There were subtle differences for instance you got a little louder but not like the KSM. In my opinion I think this is better for speaking gigs especially recordings. There's no unexpected loud or boomieness even if you happen to lean in close. If you need more presence in a recording, it can be added in post, exactly when it's needed. After all of that, I can't see spending that much on a mic. For most people you can get good quality mics for 30 to 100 bucks. Especially if you are just doing stuff like RU-vid or streaming. Sure you may have to do some homework and learn to EQ but it's a good skill to have in the toolbox. Not to mention, you can save a bit of money. It may make a huge difference as a mid to high level professional recording or prefoming artist. What do I know, I just live stream occasionally. LOL.

Personally, between the two Shures I like the sound of the SM7B - most natural sounding, IMO. Unfortunately, it has a hum in this video, but I know that's not a fault of the mic itself.

What do you think about the longevity of these mics (expecially the RE20), and maintenance? I love the sound of the RE20, but I keep reading about problems they develop over time, as well as required maintenance. Thoughts?

Hi! Planning on upgrading my mic for VO's and was looking into getting the Shure MV7. Just wanted to ask if you had any insights on that mic! Thanks! :) Regards, Drei

The 7m7b (for my ears/preference) wins hands down. Mike has a voice that makes every mic sound amazing though. haha.

How about doing a comparison between a Shure KSM8 verses a Telefunken M-80? I'd love to see that.

Any chance you'll be able to get your hands on the Blue Baby Bottle SL? Another $399 mic.

Every mic reacts to different voices. Very subjective..and a eq..could help tremendously. Also does it need phantom power?

could you review the stellar x2 vintage? I'm really interested in your opinion of it after you use it

what happened to the beard?!! haha. love the content. keep it coming

If you're a singer, the KSM 8 is killer cause it has duel diaphragms and it virtually eliminates proximity effect.

Hi Mike, have you ever reviewed the Editors Keys SL600 USB Mic which is made in the UK ?

Hi all, wondering for those who have the RE20 if you’ve had to replace the foam yet, and if so, how long did it take the foam to disintegrate? I just bought one but wondering if I should swap it for an SM7B. Thanks

RE20 is the clear winner to me.

It's 1am the day after the video was posted and it looks like the RE20 is $449.00 at Sweetwater.

I like the RE20, but the RE320 is black, only ~$180-$200, and sounds similar, but slightly brighter. [I actively hate the sound, and low output of the SM7b]

in your voice, the SM7b is heard better. Everything is relative depends on each type of voice.

Hi Mike, Can you please do a review on the KSM32 for Voice over? I have it and Its amazing. I have heard that is a "sleeper" mic because people use it for drum sets a lot and for instruments, but I think its a great mic for VO. thanks dude! and congrats on your RU-vid Placard!

I fucking love Sweetwater

Electro Voice RE320 is more then enough for everything

I was a Shure guy before I watched this video, but after hearing the RE 20 and SM7B right next to each other like that, I think the choice is very clear. The EV RE20 sounds the best for the price point.

Keeping the mic is compensation BTW.

Personally, I couldn't hear any difference between the SM7B and the KSM8 prior to the bass roll off switch was flipped. I think I still like the sound of the RE20 a little more. Then again, I likely wouldn't end up buy $300+ mics anytime soon.

What do you think about tube mics?

Re20 my favourite. Re20 is $449 on sweetwater.

RE20 FTW.

First. Love you mike!

This is a hard choice. The SM7B sound warmer than the EV RE 20. And the EV RE 20 sound clearer than the SM7B. But it is on a such small scale that no body would notice if it was a blind test. Heck, most people can’t even hear the diference now I think. I think is more about nostalgic design over sound difference between the two.

Is that Phantom power?

I began broadcasting and VO work in 1964. My favorite mics back then were the warm and wonderful Altec/Western Electric 639

Does the ksm8 need phantom power?

Interesting, ksm8 sounds actually warmer and smoother than sm7b. Sm7b sound a bit more muddy.

KSM8 sounds best. The RE-20 is crispier and a bit more clearer which is why I think people consider it better but it also sounds a bit harsh and is more sibilant. I also have the RE-20 and even my baritone voice can sound a bit fatiguing after a while on it. The KSM8 just sounds warm and neutral and evenly balanced yet very clear. The noise rejection is also fantastic, not to mention it has a hotter output needing much less gain than both the RE-20 and the SM7B therefore not introducing as much hiss. So with the KSM8, you get the warm neutral sound of the SM7B and the clarity of the RE20 in one microphone with a hotter output and a better design.

I know it's somewhat 'down to personal taste' but I wish more RU-vidrs had even a basic understanding of base proximity effect. Maybe we could send your awesome vids to them 😜 I can handle a general lack of EQing but when they combine a lack of mic technique with a lack of a high pass ugh, it swings from sooooo bassy and unnatural one second to a weird reedy roomy whisper thing the next.

The SM7b is much more ‘open’ and full. The KSM8 sounds too compressed and ‘tight’ in my opinion. Great review!

Hey Mike, volume is a few dB shy on this video. Had to crank it up and fell from the chair when I watched another video after this one. Edit: Okay, correction, sound was loud when you ate the mics.

I’m noticing a little static on the sm7b. Is that something noticed while recording?

What was that at 6:17, Mike? Is that just a piece of paper falling in front of the camera?

The SM7B always sounds better to me than any other dynamic broadcast mic, and this comparison is no exception. Given their popularity and the apparent fact that they NEVER go on sale, I must not be be the only one who thinks so. Great review as always.

🌻🌻🌻

I knew a guy with variable D.

The ksm8 really just does not sound very good to me

I'm not sure.... but for me sm7b is lot brighter :P

Mike, the Ksm9 is a condenser mic I think, not dynamic.

I REALLY dislike how the KSM8 sounds. I think it sounds really Mid and High frequency heavy and super boxy; especially compared to the RE20. Don't get me wrong, it looks good, but it comes across very harsh on both my monitors and headphones. Definitely not a fan by comparison with the other mics.

I really like the KSM8. Sounds extra clear, and looks awesome too. RE20 is my 2nd fave of those. Classic radio sound and I think it's industrial appearance is cool. SM7B I'm not a fan of. It sounds muffled to my ears. And yeah, Sweetwater is a great place to buy gear. They pack your stuff well, ship it fast, and you get a bag of candy.

I'm seeing the RE20 at $449 - will it be reduced to $399 for the holidays?

AKG D5 still sounds better than all of these in my opinion, and costs $100. It's primarily used as a stage mic, but with a fet-head or any other inline amp it really wakes up.

Can't tell the difference between SM8B and KSM8.

This mic is 7B killer!!! hehehehehehe

the shure sm7b is the microphone reviewers equivalent of the wife in a Rodney Dangerfield joke.

KSM8 sounds good. RE20 is sexy sounding. SM7B doesn't sound good to my ears, regardless of who's voice it is. It's a radio mic... Not a great mic for video/streaming/recording.

RE20 sounds far better on your voice

The SM7b is my favorite from the bunch. Also part of the reason you buy a SM7B and a RE20 is the look of them. Something about a handheld just doesn't scream professional to me.