Shure SM7B vs Heil PR40 | Best Dynamic Microphone for Vocals

[@nhojcam]

i went with the PR40 because i have more of a baritone / bass voice. the low-end roll-off is perfect and the high-end lift balances my voice with clarity. perfect for my radio endeavors.

[@elvictoramaya]

PR40 curve is designed por best use with mixing. The founder of the company has said that the microphone will "Punch thru" the mix... meaning radio, for example, talking over the music and things like that. The SM7B sounds perfect in dialogue when there's nothing else sounding besides the voices. Both require some work when use in opposite tasks. Thanks for the comparison. I'm only giving additional info bcause the selection of a microphone will always depend on the purpose of use.

[@AudioInsider_YT]

Thanks for the additional insight! 🎤

[@kevincasey4025]

I like the sound of the SM7b1 with and without processing. It sounds more full.

[@NiaRadio]

I like the PR40. I like the raw natural sound of them both in the first setting. The processing is better in the kitchen. The SM7B sounds better in the quiet space with processing.

[@gayan369]

Cheers James. Thanks Buddy !

[@sm6yec]

I love my Heil PR-40!

[@onthevergechristianrockradio]

I'm biased; but, I prefer the SM7b1 with and without processing. I think it sounds more full. But they are very close!!

[@jamiehayes6714]

Having had two Heil PR40s for a few years I was really pleased to see and hear this comparison. Although I may have a natural bias I prefer the openness, highs and lack of boom with the PR40. However I wonder how each performed at different distances from the mouth. If I owned the Heil company I would immediately bring out a black version. I use a black foam plosive shield. I think both companies could give serious thought to mic stands. The mounting of the SM7B creates a huge amount of visual distraction IMO. The Heil SM-2B shock mount is equally obtrusive for video streamers. I'm sure many video streamers would gladly sacrifice a small degree of audio purity for improved video purity. I use my Heil with a desk stand, but desk tapping noise and desk reverb is limited with a large gamer's neoprene desk cover. I use a Vocaster Two, but will move to a Rode Duo or Streamer X for better processing. Great show thanks James.

[@geoffreyschecht6477]

I just picked up a PR40 at a good price. I need a decent dynamic for use with my HF SSB ham radio gear. Right now I only have hand mics and none of them have anywhere near the sort of punch and clarity the PR40 exhibited in this video. The SM7B is an excellent mic but it has a degree of native warmth that is actually undesirable for use in SSB. Warmer mics sound nice when recording audiobooks or in broadcast applications but they can make SSB transmissions sound muddy. Many years ago, I ran a comparison on the air between an Electrovoice 676 and a Shure SM57. I was told that the 676 had a pleasant sound but that the SM57 made me sound “like a 1968 FM rock station disk jockey”…boomy and overly bass heavy. It may have been that the EV exhibited less of a proximity effect than the SM57. So I’ll be interested in seeing how well the Heil PR40 sounds in HF SSB. Heil does make a lot of mics for amateur radio use and they’re quite popular for that sector.

[@rebeccabrillhart3114]

the unequal mounting factor is a huge issue here and oddly not really addressed. this is not an equal comparison as a result. Especially when speaker keeps resting elbows and moving around on the table with the Heil on a stand on the table, with the Shure on the boom.

[@TalkingRealMoney]

With the processing on both sound harsh. Without processing, the SM7B has a more full rounded sound

[@annekedebruyn7797]

The PR40 is build for close talking. While this setup is more fair as many people with podcasts (especially on camera) talk further away, it sure doesn't do the PR40 any good. It needs that proximity in order to sound decent and full. Else it sounds tinny like in this video. So for people who prefer their mic a bit further away from their mouth: DON'T, I repeat DON'T Get the PR40.

[@eefjuh5533]

Besides the matter of taste.. I notice it depends on room acoustics and processing on or off which mix sounds best. Anyway i notice compression or agc limiting throughout your video's.

[@benjahnz]

Both mics are desined to work better when you get right up close to them.

[@kokopellie]

The PR40 is much nicer to my ear. Very crisp and clear.

[@alancranford2024]

SM7B

[@mattcero1]

With headphones on listening to the side by side, the Heil has more mid range and higher frequencies and the Shure has a deeper sound. I like the Heil. The Shure is noticeably muffled. Dude, next time consider being quiet and seeing how much of that fan noise each picks up! Come on man!

[@TheUndebunkable]

I don’t believe this comparison is fair, I have the Shure SM7B winning this clearly

[@tricogustrico]

Heil is the better sounding microphone.

[@BobbyBain]

You're too far away from both mics.

[@EUROWEFILMS]

SM7b1 much fuller richer reproduction in each & every case.