Greetings friend and Welcome aboard!!
Before we get into the Sennheiser e835 vs. Shure Beta 58A 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 provide an in-depth comparison and then link to some recommendations towards the end. 🙂
- Similarities & Differences
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!
Similarities & Differences
Similarities
- Both are dynamic microphones. Condenser mic vs. Dynamic mic.
- Neither mic is prone to distortion, even at screaming loud levels.
Differences
- Tough. I would say that the Beta 58A is about as durable of a microphone as you can buy. That’s not to say that the e835 isn’t, because it’s also pretty rock solid. But the reputation that the 58 has is that of near indestructibility. It’s a mic that simply will not die like Bruce Willis or Vamp from Metal Gear Solid. Or even Jason Voorhees. Lol. Want proof? Check the videos below! It basically survives 1) 3-4 separate shotgun blasts including a .22 bullet right through the grill (complete with exit wound), 2) a drop from 6 and 7 stories inside Shure’s HQ, and 3) it got run over by a car twice and still worked flawlessly. To me, that’s just astounding and truly speaks for the longevity and durability of this beast. I know in the video they’re abusing the original SM58, but because the Beta is pretty much the same thing build wise, it still applies. 😀
- Presence. The e835 has more presence and clarity than the Beta 58A, which is muddier by comparison.
- Your voice. If you have more of a bass-oriented voice, the Beta58A may not be the best option. This is because when you’re right up on it (eating the mic), the low end is emphasized a lot.
- Bright vs. balanced. The Beta 58A is brighter, but not as smooth sounding as the e835. The 835 seems more balanced across the spectrum, and also provides greater clarity.
- Male vs. Female. The Beta 58A seems to do better with baritone/husky voices, while the e835 excels with more female type vocal arrangements.
- Cardioid vs. Supercardioid. The Beta 58A is super-cardioid while the e835 is cardioid. What is a Cardioid capsule? This basically means that the Beta 58A has a smaller, more restrictive area that you can effectively sing into. The advantage is that it rejects sound from the sides better, but the downside is that you have to be pretty much directly in front of it to get the clearest frequency. The e835 on the other hand has a bit less of a restrictive area that it will pick up sound, but the trade-off is that it will capture sound from the sides which you may not like.
- From a distance. The Beta 58A kind of fades out to a dull whisper after around 6 inches from your mouth. The e835 is much better in this regard.
- Lower vocal tones. The Beta 58A seems to muffle your voice a bit in the lower registers, while the e835 comes across crystal clear, with a nice punch and some added top-end presence as alluded to before. “Do I make myself clear, Mister Bender?” “Crystall.” Lol. Breakfast Club anyone?
- Warranty. The e835 comes with a 10-year warranty, while the Beta 58A only comes with a 2 year.
- Price. The e835 is a bit more affordable than the Beta 58A at retail.
- Feedback. The e835 is more prone to feedback than the Beta58A.
- Weight. The e835 is heavier at 11.64 oz. vs. the 58A at 9.92.
- Impedance. The e835 has a 350 Ohm impedance vs. the 150 of the Beta 58A.
- On/Off. The 58A has an On/Off switch while the e835 doesn’t.
- Frequency Response. The e835 is 40 – 16000 Hz, while the 58A is 50 – 16000 Hz.
Final Word
The 58A is still a phenomenal microphone without a doubt. However, I do think the e835 edges it out in every category except for durability, even though the 835 is still extremely rock-solid in its own right. The only thing that the 58A does better than the 835 is feedback rejection, so:
If you’re primarily an on-stage vocalist who needs to scream into the mic, not worry about abuse in the least, and generally get pretty wild with your buddy, the 58A maybe your homie. I would say it’s better suited for live applications than the 835 ever so slightly, but just make sure that you’re eating the mic most of the time.
SEE THE 58A FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!
The e835 is your boy if you’re in need of a better mic in the majority of capacities and instances. It’s got a better presence, clarity, a 10-year warranty, it’s more affordable, it’s more flexible as far as where your mouth is in relation to the grill, and it’s got more of a balanced sound overall. Interested?
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Sennheiser e835 vs. Shure Beta 58A comparison.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Looking for something else? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
Which one of these tickles YOUR pickle? What do you think about the durability test from Shure? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
