SM48 VS SM58 Mic Showdown

[@dylanj8676]

Strongly preferred the SM48. I might have to grab a few.

[@Xolanidj]

I have used both of these many of times, but as far as what I buy, I have stocked up on the 48. Especially if I catch them on sale for like $25. There was one time when I used them together, and that was the only time I could tell a difference, and it still was not a big deal to me. I have used the 48 for everything. Performances, speeches, podcasts, you name it.

[@SAINTwolfVISION]

The reason you would choose the 58 is because of 'handling noise' and 'feedback' rejection. Thats why its worth the extra$ in a LIVE setting and or when the mic is held in hand by and active singer. If you are at home in a controlled setting or there is little chance that someone would grab the mic then the 48 is fine (if you like that sound). If there are other mics present, handling of mics, drunk people, inexperienced singers using mic etc etc etc the 58 is the best choice. You don't use a 58 because it sounds the best (many mics in this $ range have better response and clarity) - but you use a 58 because it works best and is easiest to MIX in dynamic, unpredictable and changing environments.

[@Pennington0Justin]

I have two 58s but I occasionally have needed 4 mics. I didn’t want to shell out all the money for an occasional use case but was worried the 48s would be too distinct from the 58s. Thanks to this video I think I can get away with it.

[@ThanhNguyen-sk6uc]

You sir deserve so Much more likes and subs. I picked up the sm48 so glad to see that it preform pretty well.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Thanks!! I am growing...so I will get there...I have no doubt. Cheers and enjoy the sm48!!

[@RobertVLewis]

I liked the high frequency clarity of the 48. I have used 57s and 58s for both live in studio work way back in the 80s. Now getting into podcast and oral history work and I am trying to figure out what microphones for guests to compliment my Super 55. I think this video answers my question; thank you.

[@Darknight3701_]

This is a FANTASTIC review. It hits all the important points. Well done! Thank you for the video :)

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Cheers and thanks!!

[@SealeFamilyMinistries]

The old classic Radio Shack mic most churches had a bunch of laying around is actually an SM48.

[@ulfrinn8783]

I rewatched your SM58 vs XM8500 video again and realized I didn't play close attention to the SM48 in that video. I thought the SM48 sounded much clearer than the XM8500 and the XM8500 sounded a lot closer to the SM58. So once I watched this video, I could immediately tell which was the SM48... the one I thought sounded clearer overall. Honestly, for maybe $15 more, the SM48 might be a better budget option than the XM8500. Especially for someone with a deeper voice, or who will be close enough for the proximity effect. It sounds similar to my Procaster that I put a high pass filter on for those reasons. It's too muddy without it.

[@helmanfrow]

4:00 Without jumping ahead in the video I'm guessing that Mic A is the SM48 due to the sharp peak I'm hearing in the top end. The SM58 has a much more gradual HF lift and the a little cut around 7.5k, which is more in line with what I'm hearing in Mic B.

[@PositivePsyche]

This video helped me feel a bit more relaxed about a recent purchase. Thanks! Bought 3 48's for a podcast I'm working on. Obviously these aren't going to be the best but they seem to be high enough quality to match most USB Mics. For the cost, I don't know if anything can beat them. Rhode Podmic and AT2020's would be about 2-3x more expensive. Might as well save that money and put it toward other production costs.

[@EddieInzauto]

Really liking the low tones in Mic B, pre-reveal.

[@EddieInzauto]

Darn. I always hope to like the cheaper thing and I never do.

[@d35er]

I thought (at least at first) that mic A had a harder time with plosives than mic B, so I guessed correctly. But when you actually did the plosive test, they seemed much closer in response. Actually, all tests seemed so very close. Thx for the listen here. For the price to sound ratio, the 48 seems like a real bargain, especially if it has the durability of it's big brother. thanks again.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Yeah...I am a very plosive-y person...and when I am not monitoring...they can get out of control... I tried SO HARD this time...lol

[@Doggieman1111]

Wow I did not get that right, I could have sworn that Mic B sounded tinnier than Mic A

[@aldersmoke1]

I heard the difference right away. The 48 is tinnier and has almost a high sibilance thing going on, while the 58 is fuller in the low mids and overall more pleasant (in large part because of the absence of that high tinny quality. It still sounds good though and would definitely do the job. The 58 just does it a little better.

[@GeebsBurnerAccount]

just got the 48, first xlr ive owned. Love it! Aslo just found your channel, great videos man!

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Cheers! Thanks for sticking around and watching!

[@silvanostasolla8954]

I own the amazing EV ND96 for my gigs and was looking for a cheap one to practice at home. Bought the Shure PGA48 for $39 on Amazon and sounded Ok, except for the horrible handling noise. Then I read about the SM48 for the same price and rushed to Amazon to buy, but the price was $69….so I changed my mind. Waited for Amazon special sale days and nothing changed. Checked again after a few days and lo and behold it was down to $39, so I grabbed it before it went up again! I think AI was studying my behavior all along 😂

[@DaviddoesStuff]

Thanks for the review. Without an A/B I doubt most people would notice if you switched mid video and didn’t tell anyone. 😳😎

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Yeah...a lot of these tests are VERY eye opening. Cheers and thanks for watching!!

[@jtavegia5845]

I bought an SM 48 for $39 and am so surprised at what a great mic is. Stop waiting until you can afford to by the mics you want and bet a pair of Sm 48's with a little Mackie mixer and start having some fun.

[@PainterDans]

The 58 sounded a bit sharp on my air buds, actually preferred the 48 in this video

[@gooberthoreau]

Me too, the 48 seemed a lot smoother sounding.

[@Von.Scrungy]

The difference I heard was during the off axis test. It wasn't massive, but the SM58 sounded as though it picked up less of your voice that reflected off the wall.

[@El_Chompo]

I'm just going to judge here before the reveal. I have earplugs in by the way. Mic B has sounded better to me up until 4:53, but that might just be because it seems slightly louder so it may not be an even comparison if they were gained the same. I just wanted to point out that the 48 was made for speech, whereas the 58 was made for music from what I've heard, and the response charts reflect that. The 58 response graph is very similar to that of high end headphones. The 48 response graph you can see clearly favors more high end, which during speech, is the most critical part for clearly hearing what somebody is saying, especially since hearing loss occurs in the high end first. I'm not sure why there is that small dip in the 58 high end graph, but since most high end headphones also share that same dip, it must be there for a reason and give a better musical quality somehow. Anyway I'm exited to see what the reveal is at the end. I'm about to buy 2 used 48's for about 63 bucks and it includes 1 or maybe 2 cables, the listings are unclear. But the quality for that price and my use case is hard to beat. Even though I did see a 58 for the same used price, I want all the mics to be the same in my current setup or else I would have got that one too.

[@Elevated805]

Which one is better? The Shure SM48 or the Shure PGA48 ??? I’m gonna be using it well DJing. 🎤

[@jonoftheford]

The handling noise was a dead giveaway. Aside from that the difference is academic. I’m going with the 48 since it’s going to be on a mic stand.

[@StruggleSwingGolf]

My son has my 58, and I miss it already. Lol. I'll be picking another one up next time I'm home.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Give that 48 a hard look...

[@MyMusicman2012]

I have been using SM48 for 25 years now and it is good. But all these years I wanted to buy SM58 because it sounds better. I know because I have SM58 wireless. Thanks for the review.

[@From_A_Diverging_Timeline]

I was looking at both the Sm58 and SM48 recently. I bought a PA speaker and mixer and a bunch of other stuff last month for a cheap PA setup so i could sing over my guitar and bass amps. Because of budget, I couldn't afford a 100+ dollar mic at the time, I ended up betting a behringer xm8500 with the plans to get a better mic a month later when i had more money. Thanks for this video, I plan on getting an SM57 and some point, I want it for miking amps, ( I'm going to get a drumkit sometime this year so the SM57 would be welcome for that as well) and maybe even try singing with the 57. I don't have anything to compare the XM8500 to, but to my ears it sounds like a great mic for the price of 35 CAD. I mean for 35 bucks you can't really go wrong. I've ordered a AKG p120, so I'll have another mic to compare it to, but it's not a dynamic. Anyways I was really happy with the xm8500 for the price.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

I will be checking it out soon...Amazing has been teasing me with stock for some time...

[@goodboogie]

This is the video I needed. Setting up a super basic garage studio for my kids as they learn to play and record. Just for fun but who knows where they can go. Cost is important. Thanks!

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Cheers and thanks for watching!!

[@goodboogie]

@@DarkCornerStudios Thanks for the reply. Whats a good cheap mixer with analog to digital converter for a garage setup with a second use to begin a podcast. Im currently focused on the Mackie Profx6v3 or the Soundcraft Notepad 8fx. Open to any trying, to keep cost around 150-200$ 2 xlr mics minimum. FX a plus. Complete newbie.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@@goodboogie fx might be a problem at that price point... Except for the podtrack p4. That should do you just fine...it is a FANTASTIC bargain at its price. Check out the video I did on it

[@goodboogie]

@@DarkCornerStudios ya the Mackie, today, is avail at 169$ (amzn) and I would pull that trigger if its the deal. I’ll watch your review on that other now.

[@goodboogie]

@@DarkCornerStudios I went with the Soundcraft 8FX. They are 60usd on Amzn right now. I bought a second one to place at my astro observatory which will be the site for the podcast. I’ll keep the other in the garage so the kids and I can record their music. My teen son was all interested in it last night. The XM8500 mics and the built in reverb and delay was worth a good hour of fun.

[@nonnomir]

With headphones I heard mic B was more defined. But difference is very little and, well... Sm48 looks a nice alternative if needed by budget. Thanks for comparison.

[@Martim-v6v]

I actually like the 48 better for vocals and acoustic guitars. It's very warm and it's crisp enough. I've been a fan of the 48 for over 25 years. If I have to mic a guitar speaker, I go with a 57, but if I don't have a 57, the 48 will do the trick real nicely.

[@Poesidon238]

As of today, the SM48 is $69 on Amazon. It’s shocking what the microphone market has done in the last few years

[@DarkCornerStudios]

It's shocking how old this video is...lol

[@redkurn]

more shocking, i paid about $39.99 for mine Nov 21, 2019 on amazon. i've since bought. mv7x and... no audible difference for me and that's ok since i got it for $130 (liked the look) and am using my sm48 in place of a sm57 in front of my 2x12 cab and no one would ever know the difference. 😂🤣

[@georgeetherege8347]

On the SM58 what's with the 4 dB drop at 7.5 KHZ? In its own way, the SM48 has a "smoother" response than the SM58. Yeah, the SM58 has a transformer--that's for impedance matching, more than increasing the level. One way the SM48 can have output comparable to the SM58 is if the magnet assembly is stronger. Could it be the SM48 is a neodymium magnet device? Lack of a transformer isn't necessarily bad--a transformer can add harmonic and/or intermod distortion, absent in the transformerless SM48.

[@rangersmith4652]

I use an SM48 for my HF amateur radio setup, a use case in which the spoken voice frequency range is all that matters. I don't own an SM58 or SM57, but I've performed with them many times. My SM48 is 90% as good. I do own a Beta SM58A, and it's superior to both.

[@JoeCnNd]

I only thought the 58 sounded better during the plosive test. Listening to the a and b mic I thought a sounded better.

[@JJRicks]

That handling test was great on my subwoofer lol Edit: aha! I totally guessed it. There's a difference in... clarity? that I started to pick up more and more strongly a few minutes in

[@jollyradtv9941]

SM48 is now $70 in USA (because we had Covid 5 years ago).

[@CrustaceousB]

i could be wrong but i THINK mic A has a bit more of a high end, and i also think this is the 58. Not gonna lie though, if id known about the 48 before id bought a 58, i would have gotten the 48. Its not perfect and its not even ideal, but it does something good, and does it for half the price of the company standard. its a good frickin mic.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Very true. It doesn't quite match the 58...but I'd bargain it does a better job than any Behringer

[@radioman6489]

Which one has more Bass

[@hcsmusicc]

Night and day difference ... could hear ao much more clarity & presence from the 58 from the start

[@crazyeyecarl]

For us poors this comparison was needed. $40-$50 difference is a stand, and cable when you on a strict budget. VA doesn't pay much.

[@BryllePatrick04]

great comparisson! now, i will surely go for sm48.. anyway newly subs here. keep up the good work sir! 👏

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Awesome to hear! Welcome and thanks for watching!!

[@soundmattersuk]

Instead of an SM48 at $47 get a used SM58 for about the same price. I bought all mine used 20 years ago, still going strong, and I'd get my money back if i sold them

[@investingingeorgia8853]

Instead of a sm48 for $47, get a used sm48 for about the price of a cable. I've had mine over 15 years still going strong. I believe I traded a 12 pack of PBR for it - I cold get my money back if I sold it.

[@soundmattersuk]

@investingingeorgia8853 you've got the idea 💡👍 sm48s weren't a thing when I bought my mics. They are different though, the 50 series have transformers inside

[@nero-one]

luego luego en el en minuto 1:10 mic A se escucha mas claro no mucho grave y en el minuto 1:18 Mic B, se oye mas alto el volumen y los graves... buen video amigo... y el precio si es mejor para usar en tu casa como dj, o producción vocales... for my live performances in my house Djing I will just use a 48 no need to impress no one ....great vid.. by the way

[@jonathanmendez310]

Was gonna watch more videos but I think your video cleared it up cx I'll get the 48 simply bc it does sound a little better and being cheaper is pretty good especially the side and rear test since I am in a room that's Echo filled

[@Lyander25]

Dumping a comment before the reveal and so far, I'm just loving Mic B's smoother and warmer tone. Maybe a bit too muddy on my system (which is kinda geared for musical enjoyment and not accuracy), but it's not as egregious sounding as Mic A can be with breaths and sibilance.

[@luquann]

This was a good video!

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Thanks! Cheers

[@TheSunIsMyDestroyer]

well im broke and the sm48 is going for $34 on amazon so

[@mcpribs]

A. Nailed it. B. This will be great for my church to cut down on the sibilance I remove anyway. C. Thanks! Great review!

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Thanks!! Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@davidg.5076]

Yes I guessed it right but for my use the 58 really wouldn't be worth the extra cost . And after running through a mixer or mixing program, would it really matter ? The 58 is sharper I think but not by much.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Honestly no one will notice in terms of a podcast...or concert...or frankly any other scenario

[@dbackscott]

I could tell a difference between the two, but it was so slight as to be insignificant.

[@joelandersmith2735]

48 had a boost in the upper mids (4K?) that the 58 doesn’t and the 58 had more lows. That being said they do sound pretty similar

[@kunaichrome]

I thought I wanted the sm58 but i liked mic A from how i was hearing it🤣

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Whatever works for you! Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@mattg082]

No problem with the 48 or Pg series at that. But man my singer has a knack for buying the cheapest stuff, even if saving $20. 18 years and he’s only owned the cheapest budget mics you can imagine. I finally said dude, I’m playing a 3k Sky King amp, I put 100hrs into these songs and mixes for backing tracks done in my studio on an API desk, you bought your own 1k PA…just get the 58 at minimum for live use. The mics he was using were just muffled and horrible sounding, with feedback galore. I use a simple 57 on my amp and it’s great. $99 is not a lot to invest imo. The way I put it if buying a single mic…I get if you need many on a budget going cheaper. But I say look if I was ordering mics for a Karoke bar or something to cut savings I go 48 or something cheap. But if you’re going to buy one mic, just get a standard decent one. Same as my studio..why would I buy a U87 only to run it through a $200 scarlet vs an API pre and even an old used Apogee Rosetta. But on the flip side if I already have cheap equipment, and it’s not going to make much a difference for its use…like Karoke or something. Just get the cheap stuff. There’s a time and place as well as budget for everything. If you have good stuff, always upgrade the weakest link. If you have sub par stuff and don’t plan on doing much more, it’s fine sticking with the more affordable gear.

[@Firas_Patov]

mic (A) has more highs and less lows and sounds cheaper, i think its the sm48

[@ChrisFineganTunes]

I guessed correctly but that's a 50/50. I watched another guy's 6 mic blind test and didn't get a single one right. To my ear (through £20 knock-off AirPods) the 58 sounds a little more restrained - fractionally tighter. But I'm increasingly convinced that you could use one of a hundred decent mics on-stage from £15 behringers to £400 AKGs etc. and only a fraction of a percentage of your audience will really notice a difference. If you struggle to tell the difference in a straight shootout in clean conditions then no-one will know when you plug it into some random PA.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

You should try my latest SM7B vs SM58 I actually rebuild a 58 to make it exactly like an SM7... Raise the stakes from this one a bit... Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@ChrisFineganTunes]

@@DarkCornerStudios I watched that - really interesting! I'd never have guessed that the SM7B was essentially a more simple SM58! Your channel is great - good work! And a few wee chuckles thrown in for good measure 😊

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@@ChrisFineganTunes Ha...well I guess thanks for sitting through more than one video... Cheers...glad I can entertain...

[@KuKicks]

Still great video

[@jameskennethalan.25]

Great! Now I buy it to vocal and singging!

[@auktober]

Thanks

[@hellomeatrobots]

Yeah, the bigger head matters when you want to replace the one on the SM48 and find out it costs as much as the mic.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

lol...yeah, actually more...since it comes with the capsule as well. That girth is expensive

[@sozl]

Hate to see great youtubers get underrated

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Thanks! It is a process...and we are growing...So I have faith. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@BhaiGagandeepSinghLadla]

Jts tk 600, tk350, Shure sv200, AKG P3s, Behringer Xm8500, Senheiser XS 1 Ahuja 2200sc Shure Pga 48, Pga58 Shure Sm48, Senheiser e835 which is best for Vocals?

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Vocals for what? Live performance? Recording an album? Podcasting?

[@BhaiGagandeepSinghLadla]

For live performance

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@@BhaiGagandeepSinghLadla I really like the Sennheiser e835...though a supercardioid may be better depending on your monitor situation. Look at the AKG d5 and the Shure Beta58a The Beta 58a is a bit more expensive...but worth it. The AKG D5 is quite a good mic and very affordable

[@BhaiGagandeepSinghLadla]

@@DarkCornerStudiosokayy, Thankyou very much brother for replying....

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@@BhaiGagandeepSinghLadla Cheers brother and thanks for watching!

[@ArmanZaidi]

dope vid

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Thanks for watching!

[@benkitay9015]

My 58s are hotter than my 48s. Otherwise…same. 58s for performance, 48 for rehearsal.

[@epicdude999]

before watching to the end:;mic B sounds a lot fuller

[@caponsacchi9979]

No difference in sound. But for longevity and resale value, the sm58 is the one.

[@eduardomarchant785]

Entre 100 y 500 tiene mas presencia el sm58 pero los medios agudos suenan igual

[@h.c.7799]

The SM58 is much better to listen to. The SM48 forces me to turn down the volume of my headphones

[@kebeker740]

I cant find the difference

[@DarkCornerStudios]

I know right? It is super close...

[@ClassicRoc87]

With my headphones it's very easy to tell the difference

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

I like the sm58 but the sm48 might sound better on my voice

[@andyshrestha17]

I got it right even I am watching on iPad 😅

[@tamale]

Do you know why my Shure SM48 shows low audio waveforms in my recording?

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Because dynamic mics need a lot of gain...and you may need to get a better interface to drive it. Or...just gain up in post

[@tamale]

@@DarkCornerStudios yeah I have it connected to my Scarlett solo and with the gain all the way and it sounds fine but just shows low audio waveforms

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@@tamale the waveforms will not look all that big...though you don't need wildly large waveforms... It's expected to be worked in post. If you are getting to -12 dB you are doing just great

[@tamale]

@@DarkCornerStudios Ah okay I will check. Thank you for the quick response!

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Cheers and good luck

[@CODENAMECRISISOFFICIAL]

The sm48 sounded better when it came to plosives to my ear 🤷‍♂️

[@bigtastyben5119]

I just have the Shure 565sd 🤷‍♂️

[@DarkCornerStudios]

How is it? I have been meaning to get my hands on that

[@bigtastyben5119]

@@DarkCornerStudios I enjoy it, It's the main mic on my setup, I got it for 75 USD on b&h mainly because it was cheaper that the 58 with the mute switch. I don't have a Sm58 do I can't comment on the comparison between the two but assuming from looking at the response graph they should have a comparable sound. It has a nice grill too of you are into it, too bad I dropped it like 3 times so it's dent 😫.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@@bigtastyben5119 lol...meh...all Shure mics have a dent...

[@bigtastyben5119]

@@DarkCornerStudios it's like a rite of passage for Shure mics

[@amitfromgurgaon2883]

full video ended and I couldn't understand which mic was mic A and which one was mic B. Poor editing sir.

[@LECH_666]

Desde el principio era evidente , el B tenía muchisimo mas cuerpo que el A

[@anonymouse2428]

I like you. Have a sub.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Thanks Anony Mouse! Cheers!!

[@jerryadams5487]

Everybody listen 2 me when they du these so called shoot outs if they didnt show the mics U couldn't tell what mic is what

[@gbass7328]

So very close for voice at speaking levels. What about a Rock screamer or a Marshall 4x12 can lol? No output transformer 👎🏻

[@badmiddens]

barely if any difference for spoken word.

[@fitsurvivor4781]

instead of writing mic A and mic B, you should have used some of your brain and should have written the names of the mics, so that people can understand which mic are you talking about because we don't know which mic you have given the name of Mic A and Mic B. You should have got some brain. But still thanks for the video.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

You really didn't get the concept of the video dude. Stop and think before you comment...especially if you are going to try and insult someone

[@evilgirl2006]

​@Dark Corner Studios I apologize on behalf of this dumbass🫡 Everything that has audio in it should be reviewed and compared this way because the eyes and the names don't matter when you're buying a microphone or a speaker or whatever, and when people think sm58 is better they're gonna listen to it thinking it's better even if it's not. So yeah thanks a lot, and ignore the brainless haters, they're just walking zombies trying to feed on your success.