Your favorite microphone isn't good enough

[@hiyg]

And I was just tweeting at you a few days ago regarding my problem on choosing between the SM7B and the ICON. And you told me to wait "next week". WORTH THE WAIT! THANKS FOR THIS!

[@EarthworksAudio]

Our entire team loved your thoughts on the ETHOS, thank you so much!!

[@Syinite]

Hey 😏 I would love to use this microphone, and show it to the millions of views ive gotten in the last month and growing. My twitter DMs are open 😏

[@northwiebesick7136]

@Johnny Appleseed I'm not the best guy to answer your question, since I'm relatively new to microphones myself, but I love the PicoGear PicoStream receiver I have with dual wireless microphones... It comes as a kit, and you can use 2 kits simultaneously, after activating the function to avoid the other wireless kit... Granted, it's a wireless LAV mic, AKA lapel mic, setup, but with built in batteries, as well as receiver based color screen and upgradable firmware, that has a 100Hz high pass filter, a noise reduction filter with a detachable fuzzy windscreen, as well as more settings, it's actually pretty cool... Obviously, if you're going to be turning around a lot, as line of sight loss, with the receiver, will generate a momentary audio dropout, sometimes, I wouldn't recommend it for those use cases, nor would I recommend it at more than 15 feet away for the short range 350$(when I bought mine) setup... Also you're probably the type that actually wants to use a boom arm and the same types of microphone that's used with it, in which case, I would see what high pass and noise reduction filters your microphone application(s) might have, and search for the best settings to get the most out of your microphone and computer setup... What most people don't show you is the fact that without a few minutes to a few hours of tweaking depending on your skill level, most microphones will not sound the best, but can also be made to sound better by enabling settings in the microphone itself, or any software that might come with it, and if neither of those are available, sometimes your recording application will have some settings to make you sound better... Also, what the 100Hz HP filter is supposed to do, is eliminate any noise, (like most fans, AC, and the like, I hear) that's under 100Hz, and the noise reduction, by contrast just sort of reduces ambient noise at high gain levels, at least, that's what those are supposed to do on my microphone setup, yours of course could be different, or have different meanings...

[@Kevintendo]

@@Syinite booo self promo

[@StateofDecayScience]

@@Syinite Dude, just buy it yourself if you are getting millions of views

[@Vespene]

@@Syinite "millions"? You have 1.19 million TOTAL, since July of 2018. A professional microphone manufacturer is not going to send you a $500 - $700 dollar microphone. What are you going to use it for? Screaming at kids in Fortnite?

[@NinDjent0]

"it's hard to think of words starting with the letter P" - man wearing Pikachu shirt

[@pan5784]

Technically a name, not a word >:)

[@FatalBlow113]

*Technically, it's not a "name", it's an onomatopoeia of "lightning" (Pika) and "mouse" (Chu)* ⚡🐁

[@TechnicalGamingChannel]

Seems like Earthworks' whole ethos is to become an icon of the microphone market...

[@CoalitionGaming]

Here you go: 🏆

[@ThisIsTechToday]

lol, Earthworks needs to CALM DOWN. There's too much good coming out from them at once. I can't keep up 😅

[@tombuck]

Earthworks is so dang good. It’s tough to think of an even better one than the Icon! 🤯

[@Symba_Lysm]

I think the reason you like this mic so much is because it's an embodiment of everything the Shure Sm7B excels at with life like condenser microphone energy, Without being a dark as the Shure Sm7B nor as *Subjectively* muddi sounding (The mic emphasises low end more then most other broadcast based dynamic mics). Excellent review with good examples of sound once again.

[@arthurnunez970]

It has the bass of the SM7B but to my ears sounds more clear in mids and treble too! Id totally try that on a cab for guitar stack setup too! Solid mic man!

[@Victinfien]

If it’s gunning for the full SM7B replacement, it had also better be awesome on rock/ metal vocals too

[@Vexicrypt]

Somehow I liked EV RE20 the most out of all of them. But yeah Earthworks handles low end better with close ups than sm7b

[@fluphybunny930]

Same, I do like the sound of the EV RE20.

[@LetsGoHelio]

I already own the sm7b and I don’t think it’s worth replacing it with the ethos even though it sounds amazing. However, I’m definitely getting the icon pro based on your previous review.

[@ChristopherOdd]

Why are you choosing the icon pro instead of the ethos?

[@LetsGoHelio]

@@ChristopherOdd it’s for my wife’s KZbin channel. She wants the option of not having the mic in her shot. She’ll probably have it in frame but it’s nice to have the option.

[@lukoka6371]

"Your favorite microphone isn't good enough" me using the mic of pair of dirtybuds through a splitter

[@coachjsu]

I bought the ICON PRO after watching the last video; returned the re-20. I love my voice with it, as someone that occasionally mumbles on the broadcast my voice comes through clear through-out the sentences.

[@ElvenSpellmaker]

It's a steal currently with its price drop. I'm really not a fan of the SM7B's sound, but the Ethos is amazing.

[@exhalete]

I purchased the Ethos yesterday at 399. I was previously using the icon usb. :)

[@DKTD23]

They dropped this down to $399 and that made it much more appealing for sure. @Eatrthworks I've seen some reviewers saying they'd prefer the Icon Pro pop filter on the Ethos because it is a bit less thick. Are there any plans in the future to possibly bundle both filters like the SM7B with 2 in the package?

[@Burssty]

my rode podmic and I are just fine thank you very much *whispers to rode podmic* "you're on thin ice bud"

[@AkibanaZero]

Podmic owner here too and the Icon Pro is looking like a great successor to it. No way I can justify the $700 price tag on the Ethos, as beautiful as it sounds.

[@agambhasin]

A broadcast condenser for 699? Try Rode Broadcaster, sounds awesome at half the price. Also I think this guy being compared to the SM7B is not even an apples to apples comparison, one is a dynamic, one is a condenser, so its meant to have a more open, clear sound signature, you seem to be a fan of presence but a lot of people love how the SM7B sounds with all its smoothness and warmth, obviously the condensers are gonna give u a more moving space but the SM7B doesn’t need to be eaten in order to sound good, lol. 3 inches away it still sounds balanced and awesome, that said I am not saying that the ethos is a bad mic from any stretch of imagination but at that price point one can get a proper studio condenser microphone like the AKG C514 used or a new TLM-102 which are versatile, and sound awesome and still costs less or at par, also take into account the fact that majority of streamers and podcasters are in untreated spaces and a broadcast condenser microphone is still gonna pick up the room tone, the exceptions to this are however handheld condensers which no one talks about bcz they are usually marketed as stage microphones. When looking at the comparisons, the RE20 kinda provides a very nice sound signature for almost half the price, so personally i don’t see a point spending 700 for a broadcast microphone when so many great options are available for less, the limelight is literally a very middy microphone and lacks detail too and even sounds thin and unpleasant tbh, on your specific voice i think the RE20 does the best, However the SM7B is also sounding good, did not see any problems there, so yeah, earthworks needs to first up cut back that extra pricing on their mics otherwise these microphones are not at all afforfable for a beginning or even a mid tier streamer/podcaster, they might be selling these for the looks too but honestly even then they are really pricy, prob the biggest issue with their products. So yeah, is this the SM7B killer or RE20 killer? NOPE! Also, if someone really wants to have a microphone that’s not visible on camera..just boom a shotgun microphone! Still not 700 bucks, lol, the options like the VideoMic NTG are stellar in sound quality and come at a relatively more affordable price🤷🏻‍♂️ but that’s just me…also to beat the SM7B u don’t need a mic as pricy or even more pricy, just use the XM8500 and in a blind comparison most people would not be able to tell the difference, and that guy is 25 bucks!

[@Chapizard]

I'm very happy that you've been reviewing earthworks. I feel like your voice and mine are similar enough for me to get a good idea of it'll work for me. I love how real they sound. Can't wait to do some voice acting with it!

[@RolandDobbins]

If you want an out-of-frame microphone, just switch to the Sennheiser MKH50 or MKH8050 dialogue mic. You can use a Sound Devices MixPre Mk. II with NoiseAssist to filter out HVAC sounds, etc. Boom the Sennheiser above yourself, & you're done. I'd also suggest taking a look at the ART Voice Channel channel strip to handle EQ, compression, de-essing, & gateing/expanding, post-MixPre in your audio chain.

[@otiswoodard7391]

Really appreciate you sharing these ideas. Very generous of you. Working at your desk, would you need the MixPre Mk II and the ART Voice Channel or could you go MKH50 to ART Voice Channel to an audio interface into the computer (Zoom, Screenflow, Etc.)?

[@gabrielchavarria22]

The ETHOS sounds so much more pleasant and less brittle than the ICON PRO.

[@Leonidas909]

The icon pro is processed in this video and there's a faulty 48v power whine on it on top of it, unless you can provide me with an unprocessed timestamp I'm not sure this is a valid comparison

[@EposVox]

The Icon Pro is not processed? It was literally taken from the unprocessed comparisons I used in my review of it.

[@Leonidas909]

@@EposVox The reason I say this is because my icon sounds nothing like the comparisons, (it really sounds like the Ethos) and it sounds like there's some compression around 12:15 , also there's a whine that sounds like a faulty pre/phantom power or mic so it's odd. BTW comp or not the gain is not set the same and so is the mics position, regardless of directivity. I would personnaly expect some low end differences tho, i'm sure they exist, i'd like to hear a real side by side simultaneous test out of curiosity.

[@launcelot335]

"its hard to think of words starting with the letter P" - Person wearing a Pikachu shirt 2021

[@Danielsworlds]

Most people's rooms are not well treated enough to get the most out of their microphones anyway. A $50 microphone will sound exactly the same as your $300 microphone once KZbin and Twitches compression comes in play if you know how to EQ and treat your room

[@hydra4370]

This, I would love to snap on another microphone deal after I blew $150 on a mic with arm, cover, and little sound isolation kit. But I'm legit speaking in a bedroom with a shit ton of reverb. There are bigger issues at hand than the cost of my mic.

[@itscrewston6684]

I would hope it has better dynamic range and sound better since condenser mics by default should pick up more frequencies than dynamics.

[@JeremyLeech]

My favorite way to run the SM7B is with the high pass filter on it. It sounds perfect on my voice. That being said I think it’s time for me to get the Ethos

[@araecieon]

Me watching on an iPhone: “mmm…why yes they do sound less rich.”

[@itscarlosreally]

The SM7B feud is a pitstop. Earthworks is very slowly tiptoeing into Neumann territory and I'm all for it.

[@EposVox]

They’re gunna make me get a TLM103 just to find out

[@langgaspeaks]

@@EposVox the TLM103's Self-noise though is still an edge versus Earthworks current offering, one more tweak and they're there

[@digitaltactics9234]

@@EposVox Both those earthworks mics do sound amazing & great on your voice very clean & crisp. I have & SM7B & Vintage CAD equiteck E-100 Booth junkies might have turned me on to that. From the 80's that is mint. Bought the SM7B way before Twitch left the blue yeti to go to the SM7B meta. I got the CAD equiteck E-100 to have a easier time getting a nice gain. But my old school Rane pre amp MS1b still works great for the sm7b. Love to try both those earthworks mics one day as well. Since this came out some years ago want to try AEA KU5A Supercardioid Ribbon Microphone had such a great sound in other reviews I have seen out there. To many mics to little time it's so hard to have like true end game mic indeed. I like the shot gun you use mkh-416-p48u3 another dream mic to have in my locker. Neumann would be cool to have as well. So many don't even know you can rent mics as well what works for one voice might not work for another's voice as well. Earthworks mics do sound like they would work well with all types vocals & different ranges. I remember when you where trying to use shot gun mics to get them out of frame looks like you have come full circle & finally found one that dose that as well. Well my short story long is now over. 🤣 Keep up the great content like know you will.✌❤🎶

[@tubetone74]

@@EposVox I had a TLM103 and now the Ethos. In my " amateur" home studio Ethos matches it . I am pleased as punch.

[@kevinw0lf]

I feel like this is going to be really good for people looking for a streaming microphone. In a sea of microphones that try to put too much emphasis on the presence range (5k-ish-hz), the darker Ethos feels more smooth and less tiring in the long run, especially when you start to add EQ and compression. Just try not to add too much bass!

[@TheDirewolf]

Just noticed it's $100 cheaper than the Icon Pro, crazy.

[@twoknife]

Ethos and RE20 sound pretty good to me. Pretty natural with a good bit of detail, not boomy/muddy and the highs are under control. Icon is pretty bad here. It very much has that cheap condenser mic sound with the highs completely out of control. SM7B and Limelight are pretty muddy. The RE 320 isn't bad, but a bit too much treble for me.

[@itzturtlexd1721]

I know KZbin is effecting the sound quality but I am listening on a high quality audio set up and to me, the Ethos and SM7B are similar in sounding more "natural" than the other mics. I get a "digital" sound from all the others in this video which doesn't sound good.

[@starlightparticles6855]

I don't own any of these mics but I am confused by your videos, I want to stream on Twitch and would like to buy a good Mic. I watched quite a few of your videos and it seems once you reach a certain level of quality you can just add filters and use an equalizer to make them mostly sound indistinguishable? For someone like me who doesn't know much about it all these videos have stressed me out about spending money now :(. The channels I watch on twitch have many different microphones and none of them sound too different so I'm wondering how come it's so hard to pick something?

[@break0utz]

This is more of just scientific test to compare the minute details of microphones. Once you're above a certain quality level, there are extreme diminishing returns. I would just start with deciding if you want to use a dynamic mic or a condenser, and also if you want an audio interface or a USB mic first. USB mic will save on budget while audio interface will be more expensive. Dynamic mics reject background noise but require more gain. Good USB dynamic mic is the Samson q2u, good USB condenser mic is blue yeti / blue yeti clones. Hope I helped

[@EposVox]

^ perfect reply

[@shubinternet]

What I would love to see is a graphical representation of the audio as it was recorded raw for each of the mics, so that we could compare them in a visual manner, in addition to hearing them with the audio.

[@EposVox]

How would you prefer that to be seen? Just a basic spectral frequency graph set to the mic’s range?

[@THE-RED-LETTER-PROJECT]

I hope it takes off. We really never saw the 7B untill Rogans crew plugged it in, the mics be around for decades. I'm honesty tired of looking at a giant black mic/boom stand just to catch a casual conversation.

[@CoalitionGaming]

It costs HOW MUCH?! That aside, I really like it! What a fabulous condenser mic.

[@TradesWithWill]

picked one up today, cant wait for it to get here. amazing review as always, genuinely you are only 1 of 3 people that I trust enough to make buying decisions off of

[@shortanimationz]

How's the background noise rejection on non-treated rooms?

[@nerothos]

Damn dude, I had to listen pretty carefully on my Genelecs for the SM7b close-up comparison. Shockingly similar with the 7b sounding slightly more nasal and low-mid "muddy". Probably would be easier to spot with headphones but yeah, that's just incredibly similar and I agree that the ETHOS sounds slightly better for this particular use case. Good stuff!

[@bytemixsound]

Earthworks have always been a reputable maker of microphones, so not surprised the ICON and ETHOS are decent microphones. Though really, above $500 most microphones are going to be "fine." Some food for thought: at the price of the ETHOS, you're easily into the cheaper Neumann territory like the KMS 104 or 105, or the TLM102, or the BCM 705 dynamic broadcast mic. Or quite a few other reputable microphones that work fine with voice even if they're not called a "vocal microphone." Options for good quality start to expand as you get above the $500 range, and sometimes that can make decisions just a little tougher. Once you're north of $500, you don't really have to worry quite as much about "low end theory" as most microphones above $500 will be "fine" for a number of different uses, whether vocals, overheads, or more utilitarian purposes. No, it's not going to have the same character, sensitivity and flavor as a $3K Neumann, but it will be "fine." So whether it's an SM7B, or an ETHOS, ICON or an AKG or a cheaper Neumann, or Shure, Lauten Audio, Sennheiser, SE Electronics, or even some of the Warm Audio "clones" of classics, they'll all likely perform well, and capture a pleasant and very usable sound. Assuming you match the right mic to your specific vocal character at least (if you like the character of your voice with a specific mic, then that's the one to go with). Different mics will have different characters due to either subtle or significant differences in pickup character (which frequencies have a slight boost or cut, etc.), rejection pattern, and overall "flavor." So, above $500, it's less about getting a sub-par microphone and more about getting what works for your specific situation and your vocal character. And don't forget that the quality of the preamp is going to make at least a small difference in what you get out of the microphone. Sure, a lot of audio interfaces and recording mixers, etc. will have decent-to-good pres (at least the reputable devices) but that's not exactly the same as putting in a dedicated pre like a Grace M101 or Warm Audio TB12 or WA12 that would have some options for altering or sculpting the tone. In most cases, as long as you get AT LEAST 60dB of GOOD CLEAN GAIN, the pre is fine. In any case, go with what works for your situation and works well with your voice such that you get a captured audio that sounds pleasant to your ears.

[@WhiteshadowTV]

Icon Pro and the RE20 for me. I’m an RE20 Stan, but man that Icon Pro is hard to beat. I like the Ethos too, but the clarity and overall fullness of not only the low, but the high end of both mics mentioned above are awesome. May pick up an ethos and icon pro to test on my voice as it’s about the same baritone as yours. Thanks for the review my dude 🤙

[@Frapskillar]

Love your videos. Also thank you for recommending the PreSonus Revelator io24. I'm using it in combination with a PD-70 and a pair of Beyerdynamics DT 990 Pro. Thank you for your obs Tutorials and your Audio Setup Test videos

[@Icabod66]

Noise rejection seemed best with the SM7b. I was surprised how much I liked the sound of the RE320.

[@helmanfrow]

3:45 Unless it's blocking EMF it's not a Faraday cage. It's either an interference tube or maybe even just a spacer for the foam windscreen.

[@Crook4Money]

Never heard of the RE20, but after hearing the comparison between the other mics that has really good unprocessed sound.

[@theunkownmr.562]

I'd like to get your opinion on using a shotgun mic for recording game play and using a green screen. I don't want to have mic visible in the frame so I'd like to get your feedback.

[@dab7963]

Wow that Limelight 512 sounds good up close and only $200 dollars. I still like the sm7b up close.

[@AlfredNazGates]

Theres way more detail in the ethos. The shure has a unmistakable sound cause were so used to it everywhere. It sounds like a mic. Where as the ethos, sounded like you. 1 day. It will be mine. lmao

[@trevfisher]

The demise of the SM7B has often been greatly overstated in the 20 years since it's current incarnation came out. All mics get boomy with proximity including the mic you herald as the new champion. Mic technique is something very few focus on and it's critical with any mic. The thing you don't address about the 7B is it's versatility, not important if you're talking only about podcasting and narration, however for some singers and some instruments the SM7B rules, it remains the busiest mic in my studio for that reason. Earthworks are a great company, I think their mic could have stood on its own merits without you baiting the title as many have done before and will tediously do again no doubt meanwhile the SM7B can look forward to another 20 years or even as long as the Neumann U87 which remains the king of the mic kingdom more than 50 years after it was launched. The golden rule with all mics is that where they are placed has a massive effect on how they respond and sound and there isn't one mic that's suitable for every voice..Never buy a mic online based on a reviews if you haven't tested it on your own voice for an hour or so.

[@samuel.gabura]

Earthworks ETHOS costs more than the SM7B with a Cloudlifter, so I don't think SM7B is going anywhere.

[@AdamSpade]

You’re going to get a much more natural sound with that ethos. I use an Advanced Audio cm87, which is based on the Neumann u87, which is considered the king of voiceover work. It wont have the noise rejection of the SM7b or RE20, but it wont sound unnatural and shape your voice out of character, which is what I hate about those two mics. A decent condenser wont need an expensive preamp or cloudlifter to sound good either. Advanced Audio also has a handheld condenser and I would bet that would have the rejection. I believe it is only $225 for the handheld. $400 for the cm87. Give them a try.

[@drdelewded]

A condenser doesnt work with a cloudlifter..

[@break0utz]

@@drdelewded he said it wouldn't need an expensive preamp or cloudlifter

[@drdelewded]

@@break0utz I know. He said you wouldn't need to use a cloud lifter with a condenser.. When you can't regardless

[@break0utz]

@@drdelewded I think you were taking it a little bit too literally. He was mainly pointing out you wouldn't have to buy them

[@drdelewded]

@@break0utz we know that, but lots of kids think you need or could use a cloud lifter with all mics, even condensers. Just trying to help people understand it's not meant for condensers.

[@saucyg6371]

To me, the SM7B is a 7, RE-20 is a 8, and Ethos sounds a solid 9 out of 10. Ethos sounds like the better all rounder tbh, and I would pick it up if I didn’t already have a RE-20. Nvm it’s $700, and for that price I’d rather get a Lewitt LCT 540 Subzero

[@garretthall1839]

7B killer for sure, crazy

[@WyattOShea]

Personally think the re20 sounds the nicest to my ears but the ethos isn't bad at all.

[@koenignero]

Same for me.

[@WyattOShea]

@@koenignero 🙂

[@ArgadashHD]

holy shit, just listened to one second of the comparison and the difference is massive. wtf

[@theque2100]

@EposVox I am not sure if you will respond, but where did you get the purple windscreen for your SM7B? As a streamer, albeit a small one, in which my microphone is seen, I would love to have a colored windscreen. Thank you very much in advance.

[@digitaltactics9234]

FC2500 windscreen colored flocked Shure SM7b not sure if that's the one he uses or it the same company but that what I found on google. Hope that helps.

[@cordero1881]

I got the sm7b and I love it, I will not change it because is made in Mexico and Michael Jackson use it. I don't think a little better sound can beat the legend Shure SM7B.

[@fabricator.cap.hill.seattle]

As an Sm7B fan... 1) He used the SM7, not SM7B. 2) He's the only one with MJ's voice.

[@doom5138]

its 2 times as much for practically the same sound. no comparison. Ill keep my shure

[@gmosc]

I like your white noise test (noise rejection) it is quite useful and visually useable. Thanks. But now I get to also embarrass myself as a white noise terminology purist. White noise through a phone speaker is just "noise" nothing white about it. But of course it's obvious that it is just noise through a phone so calling it "white noise played by a phone" might not be needed due to it being so visual, but I sorta feel that somewhere up there a soundman gets his wings each time we use terms correctly. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@superjuddy]

ty for your vids epox, I am currently not a content creator (always considered due to my respect for people such as yourself) I love the immense respect for quality and for the intelligence of your viewers. I feel like i'm at a college lecture being taught by a true master every time I watch your videos, while at the same time being taught by someone who doesn't want to milk me for money :P

[@EposVox]

Thank you :)

[@randalripley8381]

The Amazon link provided for the Ethos currently routes to nothing. Already own the Icon Pro but am looking to grab the windscreen shown. Video said it "was" available for sale, but it seems to be lost in the ether. Any guidance oh wise oracle of microphones?

[@EposVox]

It's on B&H atm, looks like Amazon hasn't gone live yet

[@JooshFX]

Idk if anyone had noticed, but the SM7B has actually dropped $100 in MSRP, and is on sale for $349 too! I'm actually surprised how cheap it's getting.

[@EposVox]

That’s what being out for like 50 years gets you :P

[@JooshFX]

@@EposVox yeah. I think Shure can't handle the amount of cheap alternatives that are coming out, so they want to still make people want to buy the sm7b over their $60 Samson Q2U 😂 (P.s. I have the Q2U, and it works so well)

[@zajlord2930]

i noticed u r rocking both elgato facecam and razer kiyo pro. which one should i use? i am deciding between those two but i cant... if i went with low light setup i would benefit from razer more, right? or cant you set elgato so it works as good in low light?

[@NinjAsylum]

I've watched/listened to almost every single one of your microphone videos .. and honestly I've only ever been able to actually hear the slightest difference in one of them... They literally just all sound identical.

[@WyattOShea]

Probably limited by your headphones that you're listening with along with KZbin compression.

[@WyattOShea]

@@s0mbahlit459 Idk not my video lol. I just came here to check the stuff out and gave my opinion on things. You're not entirely wrong though as long as audio is good enough viewers probably won't care too much.

[@EposVox]

If they sound the same to you, then you don’t need to invest in anything too expensive and can have it easy :)

[@thefullsetup]

The oktava mk-012 is another fantastic hypercardiod mic for indoor dialogue and costs half the price of sm7B 😁

[@EposVox]

Definitely doesn't have the same characteristics or noise rejection, but it's nice!

[@thefullsetup]

@@EposVox or the wow factor of the earthworks I know we should only buy based on how it sounds but damm do they look good too 😁

[@sanjacobs6261]

SM7b doesn't "reject noise" more than any other mic. Mics don't know what is "noise" and what isn't. Any quiet mic that you use really close to your mouth will do the same. It's all about signal-to-noise input. If you mean polar pattern tightness, it is more useful to actually talk about the polar pattern. Beyond that, the only difference in noise performance will be in self noise.

[@mbk337]

He is talking about polar pattern and the noise rejection around the device. He clearly tests this in the video with the white noise around the mics.

[@JuanCarlitoMendoza]

SUPER SOLID!!!!! Sounds fantastic!!!!!

[@EliseOfTheValley]

Earthworks makes great drum mics as well. Top tier mic company.

[@haktical]

I just want to say that I'm very happy for your inclusion of the RE320 here (which is what I use). I know it's typically seen as the inferior baby brother to the RE20, but it sounds very different to all of the rest of the mics in this test. The RE320 has less broadcast-y warmth than the rest but I think it sounds clear and great out of the box, if a tad crispy at times. Personally, I'm still a fan of the EV mics (both of them) over the rest of the ones on display here, but there isn't really a bad choice (with enough gain + good processing). Pricing on this Ethos is a bit of a killer; can't really use "doesn't need as much gain" as a good selling point when it's 200-300 more expensive than the others. That pays for an interface upgrade or a cloudlifter.

[@EposVox]

RE320 is super super nice out of box.

[@Roypnyc]

Thank you for the video! What audio interface would you recommend for the ethos? What will be the best for podcasting ? Thanks!

[@FFOGHORN]

The price is down to $399 in September of 2022!

[@maximrusskikh774]

I really like how RE20 sounds in the comparison, but can't quite understand how does it sound so good at the distance you are speaking, without been "roomy". Is this because of the amplifier you use?

[@EposVox]

Sound treatment panels

[@maximrusskikh774]

@@EposVox Thanks!

[@YinzHD]

Epos you really should do a sm57 with the a81ws windscreen review for the budget ppl! It sounds so similar to the sm7b for a fraction of its price!

[@MichaelW.1980]

So you meant „My favorite microphone“ not „Your favorite microphone“. Background noise rejection on the SM7B isn’t something to scoff at for sure. Still, the SM7B is ruthlessly beaten by most microphones I know with a super cardioid pickup pattern. It’s ridiculous, how much of a difference there is. With easily 8dB less room noise, I tend to call other microphones a SM7B killer, the Shure Beta 58A with the A58WS windshield and the A55M shockmount just to name one. But that’s a comparison, that is not working out, as the Beta 58A has quite a few drawbacks. The SM7B has a better bass response, the Earthworks Ethos even more so and both microphones are easier to use, because the microphone cage keeps people from getting too close and the regular cardioid pickup pattern doesn’t require half of a strictly adhered, proper microphone technique. But since I really like a small, lightweight and easy to position microphone, don’t even want the elevated 80-110hz bass response, as it’s not flattering on my voice AND I don’t mind adhering the proper microphone technique, my personal favorite broadcast microphone is the Shure Beta58A.

[@vancouverrob]

OK, for your room/setup there....this mic? Or the Sennheiser 416?

[@potion7410]

im curious what you do for your eq personally on this mic? sounds great!!

[@crypticvisionary]

I really only trust you and @podcastage for mic reviews...

[@N00BST3RS]

Getting a Sure ad on this video was weirdly satisfying...

[@EposVox]

LOL

[@videogameiacs]

it's disappointing that it costs £699 too, no idea how they justify not adjusting the cost for a different currency.

[@PhillipRPeck]

"Hard to think of a word that starts with P...." Pikachu

[@MitchOfCanada]

imo i like the intro sound better than your main recording sound.

[@Happydoody]

ok... But, WHERE CAN I FIND A PURPLE SURE SM7B POP FILTER?!?!

[@basarat]

I love my BP 40.

[@stringstorm]

I don't know. My SM58 begs to differ.

[@bretthake7713]

I'm confused why you're surprised that a $700 mic beats out an SM7B you can get for $359? Genuine question here - what did I miss? Why are these two units compared against each other at those price points? Is it just that you don't need pre-amp?

[@EposVox]

Well to be clear, MSRP on the SM7b is $500. It has the advantage of being out forever to reduce its price and keep it on sale. Plus you have to factor in the majority of users in this niche will be pairing it with a $150-200 mic activator as well, which isn’t the case with ETHOS. I’m comparing two microphones (plus more) in relatively close MSRP price brackets that creators of a specific genre would consider and choose between for specific kinds of content. I fail to see where you’re confused.

[@ljh6237]

It's hard to think of words that start with P....*proceeds to look at the Pikachu shirt for the duration of the video*

[@theqorkyone2512]

Very interesting video! how would this compare to beyerdynamic's m70 pro x and m90 pro x? I've seen some reviews of it, but I'd love your opinion. they're obviously a lot cheaper, but it would still be interesting to see how they compare.

[@Slipsch]

RE20 definitely sounds the best with your voice.

[@jaydensydes3478]

I've never liked the sm7b, i get so much hate in the pro studio communities for saying this but i genuinely don't understand the hype. To me it sounds awful would put it near the bottom of the list. Earthworks on the other hand, I fell in love ever since i first heard them. Been using their mics in recording sessions for years and i'll never go back to anything but them and rode (and maybe lewitt)

[@AG-le4ok]

Agree, and because of the hype most people who barely know about audio don't use it properly and make it sound worst. For certain scenarios the sm7b is still a good option (but I would always remove the windscreen). I prefer condenser mics because of the clarity they have. Earthworks mics are certainly worth it.

[@charkphoenix]

other very important question. Where did you get that earring?

[@citizenstrife]

I have really enjoyed my Rode Procaster setup for the past year. I bought a bundle of other products for it like shockmount and the like. I do prefer eating the mic (offset diagonally just a bit). I just wonder if the ETHOS would require a whole new shockmount setup from the RODE PSM1? For comparison sake, the RE20 has that cage mount...thing, and SM7B has its own built in. What does the ETHOS use?

[@EposVox]

I get the feeling it has one built in like the ICON Pro, as there's like.... zero handling noise. But I'm not sure how you'd mount any other

[@cursedblake]

I love the sound of this one… now I need to justify the price 😅

[@djSpinege]

RIP SM7B

[@xenonPT]

Are you using pop os ? If so, im so proud ahahahh

[@RobDiesALot]

I absolutely understand the excitement and hope to try it for myself, but I feel like its mostly the form factor and design that makes me want it. (And there is nothing wrong with that). But there are SO MANY amazing mics out there in this price range, they just dont have a "broadcast mic" design. I feel it would be more fair to compare to some handheld condensers (Lewitt MTP 940 CM/Neumann KMS 105 maybe) than an SM7b. Regardless, Earthworks seem to be filling a certain gap in the market and I hope to can get one in Europe eventually. Thanks for the review and video!

[@garyeckel8876]

I liked them all, but I get what your saying.

[@GetGwapThisYear]

Anyone know if I can get the Ethos in the UK? Struggling to find it.

[@luk7n]

700$ lol, I can grab SM7B and DBX286S used around 400$, plug into some decent audio device and I still save some and would not get any background noise from condenser. I have Rode Broadcaster, I love it, I love it´s sound, but I hate it beign condenser so it pickups everything, and fixing background noise in post with plugins destroys the original quality of this mic

[@EposVox]

That DBX 286s is going to ruin your SM7b sound and add a ton of self noise to it, but sure

[@SolarBang]

I seen this too late. Haha. All still quality devices. I'll be rocking the icon pro for now and using the sm7b for special use cases.

[@SeeMoreLevingthon]

What's with the hiss in the Icon pro tests?

[@bonanzabrandon6877]

It's hard to judge the "talking while typing" test. To give everyone the best idea of background noise rejection the test should just be typing with no talking. As someone who values background noise rejection I'm still weary of condenser mics.

[@EposVox]

I mean this is a real-world test where if you’re broadcasting with typing, there’s going to be talking.

[@TrentonF505]

I was surprised how good the EV 320 sounded

[@EposVox]

It’s great!

[@fupafriends]

where did you get the colourful pop filter for the sm7b?