Home Microphone Comparisons Shure SM57 vs. Sennheiser e609 | KING OF CONVENIENCE?

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Updates:

  • 1/26/21. Article/link cleanup.

Hi friend and Welcome aboard!!

Before we get into the Shure SM57 vs. Sennheiser e609 comparison, grab a snack, sit back and relax because..

You’ve come to the right place!!

What I will bring you in this review

Today I will outline the e609 and then compare/contrast it with the SM57 towards the end. 🙂

  1. Ratings/Price
  2. Specifications
  3. Summary
  4. Pros
  5. Cons
  6. Video Review or Comparison
  7. Who this mic benefits?
  8. What you will need?
  9. Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
  10. Consensus/Conclusion
  11. Similarities & Differences
  12. Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!

Sennheiser e609

Ratings/Price

Specifications

Summary

Nearly everyone is saying that the e609 may become your go-to mic for recording guitars. The standout feature here is definitely the ability to use the mic without a stand. You can simply hang it over your amp and either tie it down with a railroad tie or simply duct tape that bad boy!

I would also say that the majority of reviewers preferred this over the SM57, though there were a few who liked the 57 better.

Pros

  • Phenomenal sound reproduction. Very honest.
  • Excellent feedback rejection.
  • Good at isolating the instrument.
  • Very durable.
  • Mic stands not needed.
  • Handles high sound pressure levels well.

Cons

  • The clip does not hold the mic well, as it’s way too small. Replacement needed.

Video Comparison!

Who this mic benefits?

I’ve seen it endorsed for:

  • Live applications
  • Miking amps
  • Pedal steel
  • Vocals
  • Acoustic instruments
  • Bass amps
  • Kick drum
  • Overheads
  • Banjo
  • Dobro
  • Mandolin
  • Toms
  • Saxophone/Baritone Sax
  • Trumpet
  • String sections
  • Church functions
  • Cello
  • Upright bass

Not as good for:

  • Snares

What you will need?

It’s a dynamic microphone, so you will not need 48v phantom power for it.

Works well with:

  • PreSonus Audiobox USB interface.
  • Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
  • Line 6 POD 2.0 (Amp not required).
  • Zoom H4.

You can use it with:

In-studio, the most common way is to mic your guitar cabinet, and then run it through an interface.

Thoughts from Stu’s notepad

  • The mic is very light.
  • The mic is a bit bright, but not sibilant. What does sibilant mean?
  • The housing around the grill is made of sturdy plastic.
  • To mic a guitar cab, just hang it in front of the speaker, but offset it a little from the center to avoid muddiness.
  • Perhaps most importantly, the source of where your sound is coming from does outweigh the quality of the mic. Even a great mic may sound bad if the amp is bad. Just something to keep in mind.
  • It’s got an extremely specific sound that you may or may not like. Some say you need to use it in conjunction with an SM57 to achieve optimal results.
  • Clean guitars sound really good with the e609.
  • I’ve heard that the original Black e609’s are superior to the gray ones.

Consensus/Conclusion

An excellent solution for miking guitar amps. The provided clip is too small but is meant to hang without a mic stand. Completely honest sound. What you hear is a true reproduction. Especially great for live settings.

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

  • Both are dynamic microphones.
  • Both work well in similar recording situations.

Differences

  • The placement with the e609 isn’t as critical as with the SM57.
  • The SM57 requires a mic stand to place in front of a guitar cabinet, while the e609 does not (you can hang it instead).
  • You may have to EQ out the harshness in the SM57, while the e609 can be left flat with no EQ.
  • The tone of the e609 sounds more natural and transparent than the darker sound of the SM57. It’s more detailed and airy at the top end than the e609.
  • The e609 has a larger diaphragm than the SM57, allowing it to pick up a bigger portion of the speaker cone. Large diaphragm vs. Small diaphragm.
  • It can handle a higher SPL (Sound pressure level) than an SM57.
  • Has a better bass response than the SM57.
  • The SM57 is heralded as an amazing snare mic. The e609 does not handle snares well.
  • The Sm57 may give you a truer reproduction of the sound of your guitar amp.
  • There’s a mid-range boost on the SM57 that is lacking in the e609. Some call that “scooped” or missing.
  • It’s lighter than an SM57.
  • The e609 may reject rear noise a bit better than the SM57.
  • The SM57 handles cabinets with distortion better, while the e609 records clean guitars with ease.

Final Word

Overall I would say that the e609 is a bit more convenient than the SM57, as it does not require a mic stand. It also seems to excel in many areas that the SM57 does not. So for:

  • Better bass response
  • A truer reproduction of sound
  • Easier mic placement
  • Less need to EQ
  • Better guitar cabinet recordings

Go with the e609.

SEE IT FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!

 

The SM57 does do a few things better than the e609 but is still outclassed by another dark horse mic: The Audix i5. Interested in an in-depth comparison of each? Check out:

Audix i5 vs. SM57


Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this article on the Shure SM57 vs. Sennheiser e609.

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!

Which of these are you more likely to go with? What do you think about the Audix i5? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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