An SM7b Clone? Cherry XTRFY NGALE X XLR/USB Review and Test (vs SM7b, MV7+, PodMic USB, Q2U, AM8)

[@GameGod0]

I bought this mic after watching this video and compared it side-by-side to an SM7B that I was renting. In your video, I could barely tell the difference, but I personally found in my testing with my voice that the difference was much more noticeable. The SM7B seems to be more sensitive and the pop filter does a better job at filtering out nastiness. Also, the internal shock mount on the SM7B is miles ahead - there's a really big difference in build quality. I can accommodate a bit with different speaking technique, but the SM7B is more forgiving. The off-axis rejection is stronger on the SM7B too. Long and short, you get what you pay for. If you are using this professionally, get the SM7B. (eg. pro = music or broadcast production, not Twitch streaming). If you're not using it professionally, you can get away with the NGALE X. In my case, I needed it for pro audio work, so I instantly regretted buying the NGALE and will be buying the SM7B, but the NGALE gets you like 75% of the way there for like 20% of the cost, so this would be a good choice for a lot of people.

[@fallinmor]

I’ll be more than acquaintances with you, friends even. Uh no creepiness intended. Great video as always and glad to see you’re better!

[@AudioHotline]

@@fallinmor BEST FRIENDS!!! 😃 Thank you! I am feeling quite a bit better now.

[@fallinmor]

@@AudioHotline exciting! Let’s make bracelets.

[@DocRock]

Aloha B! We had alcohol at a clandestine dinner meeting so yeah we are Friends 😂😂😂😂 Mahalo for the shout on “Doc Popps” and sending your peeps. Appreciate you. Mahalo 🤙🏽

[@AudioHotline]

🤣We did spend some quality time together! Great job with the Doc Popps! They are awesome!

[@fnswrestling]

I'm impressed by this mic. Aside from the handling noise, I think it holds it own against the 7B. Currently looking up prices in Canada....

[@fantaz_official]

Same here, I could not tell the difference between this mic and the 7B... Lmk if you find one in Canada, I looked very quick and saw the US prices all over the place (189$ vs 119$) and he's saying it's a 150$ USD mic... I'm confused

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

I just wished that they added xlr if they could they could take away some money from the podmic usb

[@BacktotheRetroReview]

I really want to get one of these to test. Sounds and looks super nice

[@levelupwithmikenewman]

Love the vid, crazy how nice it sounds when up against the SM7B. A great alternative for those who can’t afford it. Like you said…. Don’t touch it. Mine didn’t clip in my review either. A great buy for an XLR mic for the set it and forget it crowd.

[@MikeNovelli]

5:30 DMX ♥️

[@benfischer6614]

This might be my next mic! I am hoping for no problems with USB 🤣

[@hackinghifi]

Sounds very similar to me to the sm7b just with a little more brightness at the top end!

[@enriquekahn9405]

The USB-related clipping issues are certainly noteworthy but the most remarkable thing to me is that the budget brand mics actually sound way better than the "brand name" USB broadcast-style dynamics Rode, Shure, are you OK bros?

[@AudioHotline]

@@enriquekahn9405 totally agree!The QC thing could be an issue since that other podcast MAY have had issues also. However, it is definitely worth just buying one and sending it back to them (if you have any issues) because it sounds awesome!

[@enriquekahn9405]

@@AudioHotline I kinda wish they'd made it XLR only, then we wouldnt even have to bring up the USB shit

[@AudioHotline]

@@enriquekahn9405 THAT’S TRUE! I would prefer that for sure! Maybe they will?

[@fantaz_official]

Ok as much as I love FiFine, they haven't actually made a real CLONE of the SM7b, with the way the XLR jack is... I just love the look of this mic so much and I legit could not tell the difference between them. This might just replace my K688. I already have the audio interface and XLR cable. That's an upgrade! Just a tad expensive lol Edit: Did you do any post processing to the X ??

[@AudioHotline]

Here is the post-processing test for this mic. It's just the top button on this page! audio-hotline.com/audio Sadly, I must have deleted it by accident!

[@DoxChanMusic]

PODMIC vs the NGALE X which one would you get?

[@danielsan0912]

I saw a review on amazon that had the samw usb issue as yours.

[@leviatuna]

Hey, what configurations would you recommend for this microphone? Just bought it and I’m using it as USB for streaming!

[@leviatuna]

btw I had no issues with clipping (idk why, but I’m happy I didn’t)

[@UncleIroh.]

hows the health going bro? u good?

[@AudioHotline]

Yeah I am doing good! Thanks for asking! I feel like I am finally “back to normal” minus just getting tongue tied occasionally/forgetting a word. I was happy to recently pass the 3 month mark, apparently the chances of it happening again significantly go down after that!

[@nawalnautiyal6252]

Hey, which sounds better maono hd300t or fifine am8, I'm getting them both for the same price. Also, is buying behringer xm8500 with a cheap 20$ audio interface better than the above options considering I'll be using AM8 or HD300t in USB mode but if i buy behringer, I'd get a cheap audio interface. Please do reply, sale is about to finish

[@meistudiony]

I never like being negative about a product cause i know all the work that goes into putting out a product, but I'm not a fan of this. Handling noise, proximity and plosives, freq. response, noise, all issues. For $150 its not terrible, but I kinda feel there are better mics in that price range. Compared to the other cheaper mics, the mic sounds better with the exception of the Q2U. Why is the built in pre clipping at -11?! PS: Sam Goodie Got It!

[@pedropiteira7188]

Do you think upgrading from an M-audio Nova to a rode nt1 SS worth? Will it be a big diference in sound quality?

[@UnitedStatesFBI]

how does this stack up against the fifine tank 3?

[@ObscureTech]

🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@ObscureTech]

I don’t call you an acquaintance!

[@AudioHotline]

@@ObscureTech 😈

[@fredoverflow]

XTRFY NGALE, really? Worst product name ever.

[@AudioHotline]

Yeahhh... Not good 🤣

[@AaronOverEverything]

It just dawned on me how weird it is to have a channel totally dedicated towards talking about microphones, rather than use them to speak about thing's that are actually helpful and relevant. It's like having a channel, reviewing pencils, instead of just purchasing a pencil, and start writing a novel. Times have absolutely changed..

[@AudioHotline]

@@AaronOverEverything I mean except the fact that I am literally using it and you can hear it… that analogy is a bit off.

[@AaronOverEverything]

@@AudioHotlineyou are right. My initial comment came off a bit harsh when I just read it.. I didn’t mean it that way, I thought out loud. (Sidebar) I am subscribed & have been helped by a few of your videos.. My overall kind of reasoning or point is.. Say, Rogan, Theo, D’Elia switch from whatever mics they use.. to a Maono PD400X.. Nobody that tunes in to the podcast will care about the mic they are using, for the fact that it’s about the messages or “content” they are enlightening “us” with.. It’s almost like over obsessing over a tool, & never tapping into a deeper potential.

[@cubansquare251]

“Don’t learn about microphones, just buy one and talk into.” is a fucking wild take lmao Good luck with that 😂

[@AaronOverEverything]

@@cubansquare251 enjoy wasting time..

[@AudioHotline]

@@AaronOverEverything you make a valid but very narrow minded point. It is part of a “creators” job to know about things like condenser microphones, dynamic mics, usb mics, the differences between all of them, audio interfaces/recorders/mixers, mic stands, boom arms, video switchers, recording software, or to have someone around that does. Also, I have covered all of these things on my channel (and even more) so I don’t “just do mic reviews.” Do you think that Rogan just buys an SM7b and presses record? No, there is a whole team behind him with the knowledge to make the show happen. The production value is part of the package for everyone you named and there are people working HARD to make that happen. I have said many times I am a creator’s creator. A lot of the time I am the guy that is behind the scenes, or helping the guy behind the scenes, or getting the “talent” knowledgeable enough so they can one day have a team that handles stuff like AV. It’s no offense to you, but I just think you have a lot to learn about the way these things work before you leave a comment making me sound irrelevant.