Howdy friend and Welcome aboard!!
Before we get into the Sennheiser e935 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 outline the Shure Beta 58A and then compare it with the e935 towards the end. 🙂
- Ratings/Price
- Specifications
- Summary
- Pros
- Cons
- Video Review
- Who this mic benefits?
- What you will need?
- Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- Consensus/Conclusion
- Similarities & Differences
- Final Word
Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!
Shure Beta 58A
Ratings/Price
Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check B&H! | Check eBay!
Specifications
- Capsule: Dynamic. What is a Cardioid capsule?
- Polar Pattern: Supercardioid
- Frequency Response: 50Hz – 16kHz
- Output Impedance: 150 Ohms
- Color: Dark Grey
- Connector: XLR. What is XLR?
- Weight: 0.61 lbs.
- Accessories Included: Carrying case, mic clip
- Manufacturer Part Number: BETA-58A
Summary
“The worst sound man in the world couldn’t make this mic sound bad.” That’s a bold statement from a reviewer on Guitar Center’s website.
The Shure Beta 58A has been hailed as a rugged and durable stage mic that cuts through any mix, while also rejecting a ton of feedback and noise. The only real downside is that you can’t move around too much with it. It likes you to be front and center, but not necessarily right up on it.
*Willy Wonka voice* Go ahead, scream into it. It won’t distort. Lol. Seriously though, this baby was meant for the stage but is really versatile with many different kinds of voices and styles of music.
Pros
- Dependable.
- Great clarity in the treble range.
- Durable and well built. Takes a lot of abuse.
- *Good feedback/noise, and off-axis rejection.
- Can be EQ’d easily.
- Captures your true voice, and might give you an extra boost of confidence if you’re feeling down about yourself. 😛
Cons
- Plosives are a small issue, but a de-esser can remedy the problem.
- No On/Off switch.
Video Shootout
This is the only good quality video I could find of the Beta 58A. You can clearly tell the Beta has more power. 🙂
Who this mic benefits/Good for
- *Live performances
- *Vocal performances
- Tracking guitar
- High tenor falsetto voices
- Female alto voice
- Naturally rich tenor voices
- Strong, powerful, and deep voices
- Talky voices a la Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
- Worship/Praise team at church
- Rock/Pop vocals
- Online radio shows/broadcasts
- Drums (although I wouldn’t purchase it for drums specifically, as it’s primarily a vocal mic).
- Guitars
- Pianos
- Death/Thrash metal
- Contemporary Christian
- Voice-over
- Lectures
- Interviews
- Jazz trios
- Bass
- Ukelele
- Egg shakers
Not as good for:
- Acoustic instruments
- Soprano voices
What you will need?
This is a dynamic mic so it won’t need phantom power, but you can still use it with an audio interface or mixer. Just make sure to leave the phantom power switch off. What does an audio interface do?
What people are using:
- Art Tube preamp. Preamp vs. Interface
You will also need:
- A pop-filter
- A shock-mount (optional)
- Acoustic Sound Treatment never hurts, although since it’s a dynamic microphone it will block out extraneous noise pretty well.
- A mic stand if you’re going to be in the studio.
Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
- The Beta 58A is sensitive to off-axis singing and might take some practice to get the hang of. Performers need to keep in mind that staying in front of this one is pretty important.
- That said, you won’t have to eat the mic to get a good sound out of it.
- The supercardioid pattern helps to cut out drum bleed, and noise from other instruments.
- The mic doesn’t have an On/Off switch.
- Be aware of counterfeit models floating around. Always make sure to buy from a reputable dealer, and if you buy from Amazon, make sure it says “ships from and sold by Amazon.”
Consensus/Conclusion
Phenomenal noise/feedback rejection. Durable as a hammer. Versatile as all get out. Sensitive to off-axis singing, and may take some practice. “We talkin’ ’bout PRACTICE man!” -Allen Iverson
Similarities & Differences
Similarities
- Both are dynamic, cardioid microphones, though the 58A is super-cardioid while the e935 is just cardioid. Condenser mic vs. Dynamic mic.
- Both are pretty versatile with a wide variety of applications.
- Both are XLR.
- Neither has an On/Off switch.
- Both are somewhat sensitive to plosives.
- Both are priced very similarly.
Differences
- Rejection. The off-axis rejection of the 935 is better than that of the Beta 58A.
- Warranty. Sennheiser backs up the e935 with a 10-year warranty, while the Beta 58A only comes with a 2-year.
- The e935’s sound is rounder and fuller, with more character. It’s crisper and clearer, with better lows, mid-range, and highs. It’s also smoother and warmer sounding.
- Presence. The vocal presence of the e935 is more clear.
- Cut. The e935 cuts through the mix better than the 58A.
- Origin. The e935 is made in Germany while the Beta 58A is made in either Mexico or China.
- Genre. The Beta 58A may be better for rock vocals, while the e935 is a better choice for female vocals, jazz, and more quiet types of music.
Final Word
I think the e935 is a better overall buy, but it’s very close. The 10-year warranty, plus the fact that it’s made in Germany kind of seals it for me. Add to that the character of the mic itself is warmer, fuller, and crisper, and it’s really not a hard decision.
SEE THE E935 FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!
Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Sennheiser e935 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? I would love to hear from you. Until next time…
All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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