Home Microphone Comparisons Sennheiser e945 vs. Shure Beta 58A | WHICH HAS MORE CLARITY?

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Updates:

  • 10/29/18.
  • 1/26/21. Article/link cleanup.

596-word post, approx. 2 min. read

Let’s start with a quick chart. I’ve outlined the differences for you! 🙂


Comparison Chart


Top Pick
Sennheiser Professional E 945 Dynamic Super-Cardioid Vocal Microphone,black
Shure BETA 58A Vocal Microphone - Single Element Supercardioid Dynamic Mic for Stage and Studio, Includes A25D Adjustable Stand Adapter, 5/8” to 3/8” (Euro) Thread Adapter and Storage Bag
Sennheiser Professional E 945 Dynamic Super-Cardioid Vocal Microphone,black
Shure BETA 58A Vocal Microphone - Single Element Supercardioid Dynamic Mic for Stage and Studio, Includes A25D Adjustable Stand Adapter, 5/8” to 3/8” (Euro) Thread Adapter and Storage Bag
Color
Black
Dark Grey
Type
Dynamic
Dynamic
Polar Pattern
Supercardioid
Supercardioid
Primary Use
Live Vocals
Live Vocals
Phantom Power Required?
Output Impedance
350 Ohms
150 Ohms
Connector
XLR
XLR
Weight
0.73 lbs.
0.61 lbs.
Prime
-
-
Price
$169.99
$162.50
Top Pick
Sennheiser Professional E 945 Dynamic Super-Cardioid Vocal Microphone,black
Sennheiser Professional E 945 Dynamic Super-Cardioid Vocal Microphone,black
Color
Black
Type
Dynamic
Polar Pattern
Supercardioid
Primary Use
Live Vocals
Phantom Power Required?
Output Impedance
350 Ohms
Connector
XLR
Weight
0.73 lbs.
Prime
-
Price
$169.99
Details
Shure BETA 58A Vocal Microphone - Single Element Supercardioid Dynamic Mic for Stage and Studio, Includes A25D Adjustable Stand Adapter, 5/8” to 3/8” (Euro) Thread Adapter and Storage Bag
Shure BETA 58A Vocal Microphone - Single Element Supercardioid Dynamic Mic for Stage and Studio, Includes A25D Adjustable Stand Adapter, 5/8” to 3/8” (Euro) Thread Adapter and Storage Bag
Color
Dark Grey
Type
Dynamic
Polar Pattern
Supercardioid
Primary Use
Live Vocals
Phantom Power Required?
Output Impedance
150 Ohms
Connector
XLR
Weight
0.61 lbs.
Prime
-
Price
$162.50
Details

Hello there friend and Welcome aboard!!

Before we get into the Sennheiser e945 vs. Shure Beta 58A, 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 simply provide an informative comparison of these two, and then give my recommendation towards the end. 🙂

  1. Similarities & Differences
  2. Final Word

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

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

  • Polar pattern. Both are super-cardioid. What is a Cardioid capsule? This basically means that both have 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.
  • Type. Both are dynamic microphones. Condenser mic vs. Dynamic mic.
  • Both are good for live vocals.
  • Both are extremely durable, although the 58A is known for being nearly indestructible.

Differences

  • EQ. The Beta 58A will need more equalization than the e945, but the e945 is easier to EQ. You will spend more time getting the right sound with the 58A, while the e945 sounds great even without EQ.
  • Clarity & Presence. The e945 provides more clarity than the Beta 58A, and cuts through the mix with more authority. There’s also more of a nasally quality with the Beta 58A that the 945 doesn’t have. The 945 brings out a nice warmth and richness to your voice that the 58A unfortunately lacks. The e945 has a better presence about it and doesn’t sound as thin at the Beta 58A.
  • Price. The e945 is a bit more expensive than the 58A.
  • Frequency Response. The e945 goes from 40Hz-18kHz, while the Beta 58A goes from 50Hz-16kHz.
  • Sensitivity. The e945 has a sensitivity of 2.0mV/Pa, while the Beta 58A has a sensitivity of 2.7 mV/Pa.
  • Warranty. The e945 comes with a ridiculous 10-year warranty, while the Beta 58A comes with a 2 year.
  • Weight. The e945 is heavier at 12.875 oz. vs. the Beta 58A at 9.9 oz.
  • Sibilant. The e945 isn’t sibilant per se, but you may have to put a de-esser on it because it’s a tad bright at times. The Beta 58A isn’t as bright but doesn’t have the clarity that the 945 does (as mentioned before). What does Sibilant mean?
  • Feedback Rejection. The e945 has better feedback rejection than the 58A.
  • Proximity effect. The e945 doesn’t have a muddy or exaggerated proximity effect, but the Beta 58A does by comparison. The 945 sounds phenomenal whether you’re screaming into it, or singing softly.
  • Appearance. Both have a different look. The 945 is more elegant and classy to me.

Final Word

Nearly everyone agrees that the e945 is an overall better investment than the Beta 58A. That’s not to say the 58A is bad, but it’s outclassed here. The 945 has the richness and clarity that the 58A lacks, and its feedback rejection is also superior.

SEE IT FOR YOURSELF ON AMAZON!!

 

 


Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Sennheiser e945 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

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

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

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6 comments

louie genzano June 2, 2018 - 4:28 am

Thank you Stuart for a clear informative answer to the two popular microphones. It is clear that you are honest and your answers and perfectly written. What a great honest and knowledgeable review. Thanks again.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black June 3, 2018 - 1:35 am

No problem Louie! Glad to have helped. Let me know if you ever need a hand with anything!

Regards,
-Stu

Reply
Art Anderson November 14, 2018 - 12:49 am

What part of the blog is the update 10/29/18?
I was this || close to buying an AKG D5 but 1. It was out of stock and 2. The same store had the e945 on sale for the same price C$129.95, down from regular C$259.95 where I live. Deal!
I’ve just started trying it in live situations and this week I’ll be plugging a SM58 and the e945 into the L & R channels of my recorder for simultaneous recording on the same mic stand.

On an impromptu opportunity, last week some singers swapped back and forth between their SM58 and the e945 after the club closed and we could experiment. Two different singers. The difference was immediately noticeable to everyone, either using the mic or standing out in the room where the customers would be. More so than I heard on any YouTube comparisons I’ve found. Mic taste is subjective and changes with time, but personally I preferred the even response of the e945. Not muddy either.

That being said, the next night we had a group where both singers had ditched their SM58s for e945’s. I was busy on other things, but heard right away they didn’t sound nearly as impressive as the 2 guys the night before, actually quite thin and muddy. I looked up and saw that when these two sing, their lips are pretty much brushing the grill of the microphone. Totally different approach and totally different (and inferior) sound. The lead singer actually has the best voice of the 4 singers mentioned, but old habits of eating the microphone were negating any benefits of a better design.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black November 17, 2018 - 4:55 pm

Hey Art!

Is that short for Stuart or is your name just Art. Pretty cool regardless! I thought about going by Art because well, I’m an artist!

Anywho, the update was the Table Comparison.

Your findings are interesting! Yeah that’s a big thing to watch out for is proximity effect especially with the e945. Have they remedied their approach?

Let me know!

Blessings,
-Stu

Reply
louie genzano May 22, 2019 - 9:59 pm

Thank you again Stuart as you give the absolutely best review and reasons that is not found on any other microphone website. You are the best! Thanks again Stuart! You are in the right place!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black May 26, 2019 - 4:28 pm

Thank you so much Louie! Let me know if you ever need help with anything.

Reply

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