Cheap Microphone Round Up! Under 500$ Audio-Technica vs MXL vs Blue vs KEL vs SE Elec

[Ntchi]

Just a typo to note, I tested the Blue Bluebird not the Blueberry like the audio file says.

[PDC]

Well, they all have exaggerated highs, the ATs have a smaller sound. But heck, for the new guy's money, the KEL is a hard sell comparatively.

[gehauser]

The SE sounds by far the best to me. Good meatie low-mids without the shrill highs.

[PDC]

What monitors were you using? Every non ribbon Se mic has some shrill, exaggerated highs in my book.

[Ntchi]

Originally Posted by gehauser

The SE sounds by far the best to me. Good meatie low-mids without the shrill highs.

Dont you find the Kel to be more meaty?

[Ntchi]

Originally Posted by PDC

Well, they all have exaggerated highs, the ATs have a smaller sound. But heck, for the new guy's money, the KEL is a hard sell comparatively.

Indeed the Kel is a very good mic, but the AT4040 has something to it too!

[PDC]

Maybe I am spoiled and have worked with some great mics, but the KELs sound cheap....all of them. I wanted to like them. But I can't.

[Ntchi]

They ARE cheap that's the point, just a little test for people to better decide which budget mic to buy. ;-)

[PDC]

Well crap. They should by Rode then, because "they are cool".

Only those that have watched the factory tour will get that.

BTW, I think I could use the KEL in a pinch for a room mic, just never on a vocal. I do not like any of the AT mics for vocals either. They have this fffff effect on the s's. AT is another brand I want to like. I have had ALL of their mics at one time.

[gehauser]

Originally Posted by Ntchi

Dont you find the Kel to be more meaty?

I changed speakers and on these, yes, the Kel sounds meatier but also too crispy in the highs. Bluebird sounds best on these speakers. FWIW.

[Ntchi]

Funny how the V67 and H3500 sound very close. Probably same electronic, same manufacturer, different body lol.

[Ntchi]

Just added the Golden Age FC1 MKII to the test! :-)

[Ntchi]

Added the AKG Perception 100

[miscend]

The $500 category is closer to the mid range than the cheapo one. It's a bit harder to tell with recorded speech, but I think the AT4040 sounds great. I think guitar or singing are far more revealing of a mic's qualities.

[triton92]

Bluebird the best sounding, the highs are not piercing like the rest.

[warhead]

On your voice talking like that, I'd pick the Blue Bluebird and call it a day...it deals with your voice the best from what I can hear.

It's hard to know how any of this would translate further, on instruments in a mix though.

War

[didier.brest]

I prefer the KEL.