Home Microphone Comparisons Shure SM7 vs. SM7B | NEARLY IDENTICAL?

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Updates:

  • 1/26/21. Article/link cleanup.

Aloha friend and Welcome!!

Before we dive right into the Shure SM7 vs. SM7B, grab a snack, sit back, and relax because…

You’ve come to the right place!!

What I will bring you in this article

  1. Introduction
  2. Quick Overview
  3. Similarities & Differences
  4. Final Word & Link to official SM7B Review

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

Introduction

If you type in the words Shure SM7 into google, you will get a whole lot of “SM7B” results. Fortunately for you, when I want to find out information on something, I will stop at nothing to find it! 🙂

To be honest, there really isn’t a whole lot of difference between the two microphones. While the SM7 flew under the radar for a number of years, it’s only recently that the SM7B has gained somewhat of a cult following (and for good reason). Check out some highlights below!

A quick overview of the SM7B

  1. Used by a plethora of stars in the music industry.
  2. Extremely versatile. Does phenomenal with voice-over, instrumentation, and vocals.
  3. Rejects background noise. Unlike a condenser microphone (Condenser mic vs. Dynamic mic), this baby is super quiet and very forgiving of your less-than-ideal studio space. Acoustic Sound Treatment never hurts though!!
  4. Generous proximity effect. You don’t have to stand right up on the mic in a specific spot to get optimal sound. It’s very forgiving in that regard as well.
  5. Can be used with a Cloudlifter, rather than having to purchase a separate preamp. The Cloudlifter in essence provides the SM7B with an extra 25dB of clean gain. For around $150, you can bypass the extra costs, and instead, use your audio interface in conjunction with the Cloudlifter. Far out!! Preamp vs. Interface.

Some funny quotes from Gearslutz.com

“You know that voice in your head that tells you right from wrong? Well, it was recorded with an SM7B.”

“My SM7B automatically doubled and then quadrupled my vocal takes, translating them into Spanish and Mandarin versions, enabling me to deliver international releases.”

“They say with careful positioning, you can use an SM7B to record the future.”

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

  • Both need 60dB of clean gain.
  • Both are excellent voice-over mics.
  • Both have a very forgiving proximity field. Basically, this means that you don’t have to be in one specific spot to speak into the mic and achieve great results. It’s really versatile as far as where your mouth is, what angle you’re at, etc. Think of the space as basketball-size rather than a golf ball-size.

Differences

There are only a few marked differences between the Shure SM7 & SM7B. I will also include the SM7A for clarity’s sake. 🙂

  1. SM7 – Introduced in 1973 or 1976 (some discrepancy), with a U.S. retail price of $256.80. Used by Michael Jackson on his hit album “Thriller.”
  2. SM7A – Humbucking coil improved; the design of the mic mounting yoke also improved. Introduced in 1999.
  3. SM7B – Larger foam windscreen added. Introduced in 2001.

From Shure’s website:

The mic element is based on the Unidyne III design and has not changed.

Final Word

Interested in learning more about the amazing SM7B?

CHECK OUT MY SHURE SM7B DYNAMIC MICROPHONE REVIEW!!

Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this article on the Shure SM7 vs. SM7B.

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

What do you think about the legendary Shure SM7B? 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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2 comments

Josh July 22, 2020 - 12:19 pm

Oh no.., no, no, no. I’m sorry, I don’t want to be rude.., I’ve been reading some of your mics reviews, and I have enjoy them. But this one, not that much. The old SM7 is far far far better mic than the 7B.., the sound was iconic, the 7B is a shame by his side, the 7B is way to dark, I haven’t heard if Bruce Swedien (MJ ‘s and Quincy’s engineer and the one who chose the SM7 to record) likes the new 7B or not, (MJ did not only record Thriller with it, he record most of his songs with the SM7) and I know some like the dark sound, but the sound of the original SM7 was almost perfect, like the RE27nd but with less brightness and better low end response.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black July 27, 2020 - 8:19 pm

Thank you for your input man! Would love to get my hands on an old SM7.

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