Behringer XM8500 VS BA 85a Microphone Comparison / Test

[@needsLITHIUM]

I own both, and use them for music. The XM8500 is better for live vocals out of the two. The BA 85A is better for studio use in general. For podcast purposes, I also agree with your assessment that the XM8500 is better.

[@inviatrroxdx6118]

Is a xm8500 same as behinger ultravoice xm8500

[@inviatrroxdx6118]

?

[@needsLITHIUM]

@@inviatrroxdx6118 yes?

[@inviatrroxdx6118]

@@needsLITHIUM ty

[@diegoantonio7625]

I'm looking for a mic for home studio would you recommend me the BA 85A?

[@JennyDarukat]

Fantastic video, incredibly illustrative and helpful. The XM8500 is noticeably more laid back and smoother, I think I prefer the sound of it over the more forward, somewhat shouty sound (by comparison) coming out of the BA 85a - that, and the cardioid pattern making placement a little easier for a desk setup. Looks like I'm torn between this, and the Samson Q2u now..

[@BataraKado]

thanks audio hotline, was looking for a cheap throw around mic for stage use, and now i got the xm8500 thanks to you... that sounded warmer then the crispy almost tin /tinny sounding ba85. good video

[@JoseGonzalezIII]

As someone who has used an XM8500 for 2 years along with my dad's SM58, I grew to like the low end on the XM8500 for my podcasting. However, I'm starting to lean more for a condenser/clearer sound and have some treating to do. I think I may pick up an 85A for the hell of it and try it myself. I'm impressed so far

[@sidgillespie5879]

Wow. Your microphone reviews are the best out there! Really! You definitely deserve more views. Keep them coming. Idea. Make a game where you compare two different mics, let's say the XM8500 and Sm7b without telling us which one is which and let us guess. Such a game with the quality of your production would be amazing.

[@vetacoth]

Listening to quality reference monitors, the BA 85a has a much smoother lower midrange, slightly more pronounced higher midrange and more steely high end. The XM8500 has a boomier lower midrange, super smooth higher midrange, and a less pronounced high end. Overall the XM8500 is generally warmer and more pleasant sounding for voices and the boomy lower midrange can be tamed by simply installing a foam windscreen. The BA 85a is generally tinnier and more pleasant sounding for recording instruments to cut through, the tininess can be less exemplified by too installing a foam windscreen. Overall, XM8500 with foam windscreen is the best bang for the buck anyone is going to get for voice-related applications such as podcasts, the same is true for the BA 85a and instruments.

[@TheBackRowShow]

BA 85a is a lot clearer, but that's not to say the 8500 is NOT clear. Both sound really solid...great comparison video. I like ba 85a a little more

[@AudioHotline]

The Back Row Fantasy Show in my mind it was kind of like this: Do I like the clarity of the BA 85a, but some of the frequency annoyances that come with that? or the little darker sound of the XM8500 that I know is easy to boost the clarity and sound smooth? I feel like they are both good, especially for how cheap. It is kind of nice they are both out now, because I would say high voices go for the XM8500 and low voices go for the BA 85a.

[@TheBackRowShow]

@@AudioHotline yep! I think behringer did a good thing giving us these 2 contrasts for roughly $25 apiece. All hail Bronson!

[@caseyonlocation8257]

Thanks for the excellent review, much appreciated! I ended up ordering a couple XM8500 mics as back-ups to my Audio Technica AT2005 and Shure SM58 mics.

[@gutpunchnews4000]

I’m recording with a super cardioid mic right now. I bought a “”small” Shure SM7B windscreen (topped off the plastic end) and used it to cover the lobe in the back. It kills all the noise in the room that might bleed over. My only issue is my voice. I like both. Since they are cheap, I’d buy both and see which one worked on my voice.

[@anybody2501]

Fantastic demo. Thanks you so much for this. 👍🏼

[@ericlangenfeld210]

Super duper nice Channel Thanks for your great WORK into that production quality from Germany !

[@TipsterStu]

Thank you for the deep dive analysis

[@mrf8358]

great content, thank you very much, you definitely deserve more subs my friend.

[@alexeyglebskiy9768]

Very informative! Thank you!

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

I think that the B85a brings more details and opened sound. During the close speach test and guitar test it seems obvious. Thank you fo the completeness and speach rythm not too fast and not too slow.

[@johnnymarcedocl5395]

damn, I just really love the design of the xm8500

[@willLeyton]

Saludos desde Nicaragua me compre el Beringer BA 85A.

[@GoreMelian]

Great comparison, well done!

[@agambhasin]

Just sold the XM 8500 bcz it sounded very boomy for my voice, i might buy the BA85 A but its still unavailable in my country, thanks for doing this comparison i would definitely like to have a super cardioid mic in my collection! Also I think u shd include post processing tests in your videos they give a very fine idea about how these could sound after some editing.

[@AudioHotline]

Hey! Thank you! I do post processing tests in all my individual, more in-depth, reviews. So you can check that out on either of these mics since I have done individual reviews for them as well. The reason I don’t do it on comparisons is because most people end up saying “with post processing both mics sound the same” and my answer to that is: I have a particular sound in mind for how a microphone should sound on my own voice, like everyone does. Therefore I make changes based off of my own voice and any harsh frequencies in the mic, soooo they are going to sound pretty similar haha. I have considered just doing a “compression test” instead of a full on post processing test, then people can just see how it handles compression... but as for now that’s why I don’t do the post processing tests in comparisons anymore just because it seems like most people just get confused by them sounding similar.

[@agambhasin]

Audio Hotline Trust me my friend i have recently subscribed to your channel and i find your videos both entertaining and informative, i absolutely love how you include detail comparisons coupled with your superb sense of humour (not forgetting to mention you are very good at it!), i agree that comparisons do end up sounding similar after post processing infact i was the one who commented that they do on one of your videos🤣 but i genuinely feel that is a value addition. As far as the in depth reviews are concerned i am slowly going through all of them and i am enjoying each one of them thoroughly! I also have a request for you, please review the samson C01U Pro usb condenser mic (I know u r a pro guy so u might just say, hey I dnt do USB mics😅) but i really would love you reviewing it because for someone non pro like me, the convenience of a usb mic is just so important. Looking forward to more of your great work. Your fan from India!

[@nicklevi5537]

Best technical review 👍. Im choosing BA thx to this vid. God Bless

[@kavcmxkk]

perfect video. we have almost the same voice so it was easier to choose 😂 thank you!

[@thereinthedeep]

Yo this guy is adorable, seriously love his flow, very helpful

[@enriquekahn9405]

This comparison is exactly what I needed. For my particular use the cardioid pattern of the 8500 would simplify mic placement but I do like the sound of the 85A better. Stuff to think about! Are you planning to do reviews of the new Behringer SM57-alike and the B906? I'm really curious about that last one as a studio voice dynamic but I don't think I've ever seen anyone use the Sennheiser e906 it's apparently a copy of as a voice mic. Do you think that Sennheiser is appropriate as a podcast mic? Will the Behringer (likely) be a good choice? Behringer should just give you the mics to review considering how many of them you probably sell for them, for real.

[@donjuanjo1000]

Love the end of this video 😂and thank you for your sharing all the time reviewing this mics !! I will buy the baranger 😂XM8500.

[@jondart5046]

The BA 85A sounds much better for vocals against my XM8500. It’s slightly louder, clearer and brighter than the XM8500. I’ve never thought the XM8500 sounded bad but after doing multiple back to back tests between the two, the XM8500 was definitely sounding more dull. Will keep it for a back up mic.

[@pablojlascano8322]

I don't own any of these, but from the reviews I've seen on youtube, the xm 8500 definitively sounds much duller and muddier.

[@elaarabi8768]

great review

[@brandonkorgaranda6486]

Hola, excelente video, cual de ellos hace menos ruido al manipular el microfono y cual suena mejor al usarlo? Saludos

[@danielperdomo3466]

I really want ths channel to grow. This is quality content.

[@GameRetro]

been waitin for disssssssyaaaaah

[@generalawareness101]

You sure can hear the difference a simple 1khz makes especially with the white noise test but I could hear it with the voice as well.

[@pingpongowo]

Of course I clicked as soon as I got the notification :)

[@copyandpastification]

Nice vid thank you

[@awppenheimer]

XM8500 for sure

[@KebbaPropulsion]

I prefer the BA85. I tried the XM8500 but sent it back because despite the smoothness, it sounds too dark, I have a deep voice.

[@KebbaPropulsion]

@Mugen00 nice..

[@Angelo-vb6dg]

nice...

[@chrisfor]

Niiiiiiice

[@KebbaPropulsion]

@@chrisfor 😂

[@sandylucas5881]

Exactly as described

[@skinnyhastrup4614]

I listened midway volume on my phone with screaming kids and several other audiosources in a big house and I could easily hear when the BA85 came on. It's so much clearer.

[@alejandroalvarez-vl6ek]

thanks 💕

[@benko7ab]

Good one: some clear answers there!

[@rahyanadhi2453]

Better for sing a song which one?

[@LawrenceArnell]

I just ordered a pod mic because they're finally in stock and you said it was good. But I can see myself ordering a few xm8500's because you said it's good. Please stop saying what's good. My wallet and my wife will thank you.

[@agambhasin]

Lawrence Arnell the podmic is brilliant!

[@agambhasin]

The podmic is amazing!

[@marxfishing]

Keep going, this channel is clearly going to grow.

[@nitsan]

I agree the 8500 seems a little nicer to me. But yeah for 25 bucks it's hard to complain.

[@vertigev]

As soon as I heard "what in the shit does that mean", I subscribed

[@adithyasatheesh127]

My new favorite channel. Goddammit I'm a nerd 😭

[@agustinusbroto1974]

Hi. Have you ever reviewed Audio Technica MB 1 KB? What do you think about it compared to these two Behringer microphone?

[@rasta6730]

No hablo inglés me podrían decir quién ganó sobre el otro? Y si es recomendable el comprar el behringer por favor gracias saludos!!! ✌🏽😎

[@justaytacc]

which one would you think is more harsh bro?

[@PsychoCaki]

I like the proximity way better on BA85A, because my voice is deep. I actually need the mic that will make my voice cut through everything. I am sick of mud and I don't want to mess that much with the EQs in OBS. I think that XM8500 has a very bad proximity effect. In people's voice on YT I heard the uncontrolled proximity effect and this is so important to me, it's a selling point tbh. It's too much especially for my baritone voice. The only thing that I like about the XM8500 is the look compared to the BA85A. And the only thing that I don't like when it comes to BA85A is the super-cardioid polar pattern... Well, I guess you can't have everything for 30 dollars lol.

[@panitanmint8450]

which one is better ?

[@RHProject11]

Behringer ba 85a is prefer

[@TheGamingTV]

My behringer xm8500 is super quiet and is proving to be very difficult to use , audio is incomparable to yours , I may have missed it but how are you going about recording this audio ? I’m thinking my interface and general set up is holding me back

[@AudioHotline]

For this I would have been using the Zoom H5, which doesn’t have great preamps, they are fine. Just a couple quick questions so I can assist you more efficiently: -What interface are you using? -How high do you usually set your gain? -How are you connecting the mic to your interface? If you want to send me an audio sample and a picture of your setup, I might be able to get something figured out for you. You can email: [e-mail]

[@TheGamingTV]

@@AudioHotline the interface I’m using to connect to my pc is the behringer UM2 (not the greatest I know) , I have to set my mic gain to almost max to have my audio remotely bearable , which in return makes the mic harder to use comfortably as I can’t keep it too close to my mouth , causes plosive sounds and distortion from the levels of gain being used. It’s all just super quiet , and very very loud with noise and hiss. Oh and full XLR connection is being used! Edit: I’ll do a clean raw audio recording of something short and send it your way , you’ll hear how bad mine sounds in comparison

[@TheGamingTV]

@@AudioHotline sorry for any spam , just sent over 2 emails as I forgot to include an image of the setup on the first one lol , my name is Lucas. Thanks for any help !

[@Shiroyet]

@@TheGamingTV Hi Lucas, I have exactly the same problem. Were you guys able to figure it out? I just keep thinking there has to be a secret volume button somewhere because the gain knob just doesn't give much volume. Anytime I raise the gain the mic becomes more sensitive and picks up all kind of noise even from the back of the mic?? which is just unfortunate. I have the UMC202hd btw not sure it matters much though...

[@TheGamingTV]

@@Shiroyet unfortunately not , I never received any replies after the initial contact :/ issue still persists for me

[@echimadrian2007]

How do they do on a PC mic input? Do I need a preamp?

[@pranavkharat8245]

Hey please make a video showing microphone for beatboxers

[@MeTuLHeD]

I have to say that I agree with your conclusion. I have had a couple of XM8500's for a while. And I got a BA 85a the same week that B&H got them in stock. I had very high expectations for the BA 85a as I thought it was Behringer's shot at cloning the Shure Beta 58. But now that I have had a few weeks to play around with it, I am probably going to sell it on eBay. The handling noise is an issue for me, as is the plosive rejection. But the biggest issue is the overall tonality. I simply feel that the XM8500 sounds better. There is a sharp 'spiked' quality in the upper midrange of the BA 85a that has been a real let down for me...and I was truly predisposed to like this mic. But it's just not doing it for me. In fact, I thought the older SL 84C (now discontinued) was a better sounding mic than the BA 85Aa. Bottom line: If you're looking for an absolute bargain basement dynamic vocal mic, stick with the XM8500. Want something even cheaper? The Pyle PDMIC58. But the BA 85a? Not recommended.

[@EddieInzauto]

I can barely hear a difference with good headphones. The BA sounds a little airier, I suppose. The more concerning thing is...NEGATIVE SEVENTY DB SENSITIVITY on the XM8500?! How is your gain at the same place for both of these when the 85A is -53?

[@bearweethus8066]

Hey ! I like all your videos but I have a problem can you please solve it? I have a 2 mic input mixer but I want to record 3 person's podcast with three mics so I can I used 1 input for 2 mics and 1 for 1 mic? I have though a workaround in my mind that if I would be able to connect 2 dynamic mics into one of the inputs using XLR splitter. So my question is would my mixer be able to power 2 dynamic mics at the same time as dynamic mics do not require phantom power. Also, please tell me if it will be detrimental to my audio mixer or not? please make a video on it. Why am I doing this is because I'm from Pakistan and audio gear here is extremely expensive also no authorised dealer of major brands is officially here so even if I invest money I will have a risk of buying a counterfeit with the actual price plus, I am just starting out so don't wanna buy a new mixer.

[@hyypham16]

I have a low voice, own an ATR 2100X, I want more star options: Behringer SL84C or SL85S, Shure PGA 48, 58 What is a good choice for Karaoke live stream Thanks everyone

[@cam-inf-4w5]

Guitar sounds a lot better on the ba85a the voice is a little airy but theyre both awesome. If i had to just pick one id do the xm8500 and just cut down the low mid. But you could do literally the same thing with the other just cut some of the air.

[@petitpanierdosier]

no kidding the xm8500 sounds so much better than the ba 85a as well as a pletora of others mics up to the 100$ price tag i'd even say it catches up with the sm58 in some instances. For the price, it's the mic to beat seriously. And the black design is so nice compared to the classic silver finish

[@DonieCrick]

Them can reject my dogs barking?

[@AudioHotline]

how close are the dogs? haha

[@DonieCrick]

@@AudioHotline May 10 to 15 feets away, is a small dog, but louder, sometimes its just at my door hahaha. My house is the worst place to stream, a lot of background noise.

[@DonieCrick]

I had a Neewer NW700 with a Behringer UM2, i tried the Samson Q2U on USB before, but it sounds a lot of background noise. Thank you for your help.

[@AudioHotline]

Even the Q2U has a lot of background noise? Hmmm. You may just need to move your set up a bit. I don’t think these mics will completely cut out the barking, but it will do a good job rejecting it. Definitely put the back of the microphone toward the barking if you get the xm8500, and if you get the BA85a put the back corner, 60 degree angle from the back of the mic toward the barking. If you were using the Q2U and had your back to the barking, so the mic capsule was facing the barking, it would have picked it up more than facing the barking with the back of the mic to the barking. If you can put a moving blanket, or just whatever blanket you have, up in to dampen the barking even more that would be helpful. Hang the blanket between the back of the mic and the barking. Try to get the blanket teletext close to the back of the mic, as much as you can, and that should help reject whatever else is going on. If you can hang blankets around you, I would recommend it. Since I don’t know your recording area, there may be something else being picked up by the mic (AC unit, Fan, Cars driving by, Etc.), but hopefully some of these tips will help you.

[@DonieCrick]

@@AudioHotline Thank you so much, i gonna apply your suggestions and hopefully i can reduce the barking a bit.

[@chrisw5742]

Cardio-id vs Super is the differnce in live stage show. Side stage monitors or monitors behind the band is the difference. FEEDBACK

[@ชูวิทย์พิมสิม]

yep

[@Opeyemi.sanusi]

you are actually funny

[@Fixated_Cliff]

It's 4 years later and the XM costs more than the BA now.

[@jeremylundin]

Did he say what I think he said

[@AudioHotline]

If you are referring to “Pickled Peanutses” then yes, absolutely.

[@santiagomontoya7181]

i have behringer Ba85a

[@pablojlascano8322]

How about this: I know how Behringer it is supposed to be pronounced, but I won't bother telling you... (I had a teacher from Germany called Behringer, we better ask him). He he, no, jokes aside thank you for the review. To my ears, and it might be the shitty desktop speakers I am using, the 85a sounds much more defined.

[@sammyfromsydney]

The handling noise on teh 85A is awful, but I much prefer the guitar on it.

[@cuttingedgehelis5735]

A patch of pickled what?!

[@AudioHotline]

Peanutses

[@julioalperi5443]

I prefer the 8500

[@SinisterSkip]

I think the BA 85A actually sounds like a cheap microphone, very 'tinny' with (hard to describe) added distortion/crap to whatever's been said in the mic. The XM8500 actually sounds like a decent microphone: nice balanced frequency response, natural allround sound, no audible distortion. I don't know the noise floor of the XM8500 (prolly not great), but apart from that, it sounds like a 100 buck mic to me. The XM8500 is a clear winner here imo.

[@AudioHotline]

I do like the darker sound of the xm8500 more, especially for my voice. I mean, these are extremely cheap mics, and in the $20-$25 price range it would be hard to find another mic that could compete with the XM8500 or even the BA 85a. A big reason I think Behringer came out with the BA 85a is due to the complaints from bassy voiced people that the XM8500 was too "boomy" on their voice. Since I have a higher voice the BA 85a isn't super flattering, and the XM8500 kind of makes up for my lack of low end. So basically I have just been telling higher voiced people to get the XM8500 and bassy voiced people to try the BA 85A! Thanks for the comment!

[@John-bw2vr]

Having compared with a $300 and a $450 microphones that I have, the XM8500 sounds very close to them. It is a great microphone overall, sounds of top-quality, unless when compared to high-end microphones such as the MD 441-U.

[@Dlogreen]

great videos but i'ma need my dude to say berinJER

[@AudioHotline]

Thanks! Here is a video from Behringer themselves on the topic. It’s a pretty fun watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmfbd3SKes9mkJY

[@rohodibotond2575]

The sensitivity cannot be -70 db on the xm8500 even if it is so on their official website. The sm7b has about -60 db and is considered a mic with a very low sensitivity.

[@AudioHotline]

It’s weird they have it labeled like that. When I was doing a comparison with the XM8500 recently I thought that same thing and when I looked into it I found that it’s sensitivity was actually around -54.5 dB, which seems a little more accurate.

[@q2forever778]

8500 sounds better for me😊

[@endoneswa]

XM8500 sounds 'cooler'.

[@01Revanche]

To lose a mind, you need on ;)

[@galetrog1438]

Behringer XM8500 is better!

[@PatDavis-qg5no]

Once again, xm8500 is better

[@cipriandiac]

XM8500 has better sound, lower sibilance.

[@DimebagDarrenLowe]

NO "appreciable" difference, concentrate on content ... either of these will be fine, just fine.

[@eduardomarchant785]

Horrible los enchufe y los odie los ba85a es que estan muy por debajo dr los clon sm58 que venden en aliexpress

[@Fiend404]

the Behringer XM8500 is way better

[@dyzturvia1.6gamecenterston88]

XM500 is best for LIVE (concert)

[@cresshead]

review starts 3min into the video.

[@AudioHotline]

If you don’t want to know how I am recording it or the pricing, then sure.