Behringer XM8500

...two.

The Behringer model looks very similar in size/shape/weight but is finished in darker shades of grey, and looks/feels physically to be every bit as well made and rugged as the Shure, and both use the standard balanced XLR connector, and both are omni-directional – meaning they only pick up what you point ‘em at !

From the blurb on the box, the Behringer apparently has the same dynamic frequency response ...
...SM58’s and two use the Behringer (which is actually probably bad practice), I think that this is proven to be true.

Invariably, I have problems getting the main vocalist’s mic’s loud enough in the mix, while the Behringer users are screaming loud on similar settings. Obviously, a lot depends on the individual vocalist, but from a practical point of view when you know that the Shure’s are £85 - £100 approx. ... more

Personally, I find that most of the time there isn’t a great deal to say about microphones, however I thought it was worth reviewing these Behringers.

The so called industry standard seems to be the SHURE SM58 and as I use both types, I’ll do a bit of comparison between the two.

The Behringer model looks very similar in size/shape/weight but is finished in darker shades of grey, and looks/feels physically to be every bit as well made and rugged as the Shure, and both use the standard balanced XLR connector, and both are omni-directional – meaning they only pick up what you point ‘em at !

From the blurb on the box, the Behringer apparently has the same dynamic frequency response as the SM58, from 50hz – 15Khz. The Behringer also has a breath and pop filter to minimize unwanted sounds.

I am not sure exactly what provision is made for this on the SM58, but looking at them when taken apart they look quite similar so there is some form of breath filter on the SM58 also.

In practice, in a live band situation where two people use SM58’s and two use the Behringer (which is actually probably bad practice), I think that this is proven to be true.

Invariably, I have problems getting the main vocalist’s mic’s loud enough in the mix, while the Behringer users are screaming loud on similar settings. Obviously, a lot depends on the individual vocalist, but from a practical point of view when you know that the Shure’s are £85 - £100 approx. a time and I got the Behringers for £38 for TWO – you’ve got to wonder why the Shure’s keep selling well.

Maybe the “flat” sound is desirable for very high power p.a.’s ?!?!?!?!?

The Behringer comes in a sturdy plastic carry case with shaped foam inserts to make sure your mic is safely tucked up between gigs, and it also comes with a mic stand clip. The clip is pretty good as well as there is a removable brass (I think) adapter so that your mike clip will fit most mike stands.

The Shure’s came in a black vinyl pouch with no other protection. This could have been the shop’s fault as they must have arrived at their premises in something sturdier – I’m not sure on this point as someone else bought the Shure’s.

Sound wise, both microphones have plenty of depth but the Behringer sounds brighter, with more sparkle than the Shure. Any Shure I’ve used be it SM57 or SM58 produced a flat, slightly dull sound. The Behringer achieves a brighter sound without the empty, thin feel of a cheaply made microphone. One minor annoyance is that both the SM58 and the XM8500 don’t have an on/off switch. You can pay an extra tenner or so to get an SM58 with one (the SM58 LC) but there is no such option for the Behringer.

The figures quoted probably don’t mean much to the average punter so what I am saying is that if you want a cracking good mike, with a top sound, that looks/feels/does exactly as the biggest most expensive brands do and you don’t want to pay inflated prices, look no further than the Behringer XM8500 !
 

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