Comparison of SM7b and RE20

by **NathanWong** on Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:13 pm

Anyone have unprocessed clips of the two through the same signal chain?

I know it depends on the vocalist, but I'm just wondering what the key differences are. I'm unable to test them out and obviously am not in a position to buy both or I would.

Thanks!

by **doogiehowser** on Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:28 pm

i love these type of posts....

by **Rimskidog** on Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:41 am

I know you have given the nod to this already but, as I'm sure you are aware, different vocalists, different rooms and different signal chains would highlight different differences. If you haven't heard the vocalist with your own ears you won't know what can be attributed to the mic and what should be attributed to the other factors.

In a nutshell the sm7 is a bit smoother, the re20 has a bit more grunt. I have an re20 and have access to an sm7 and have to say the sm7 'does it' more often (for me) than the re20.

As an aside I took part in.a huge mic shootout recently. The sm7 was v close to a 251 also on the test. That alone makes it an incredible bargain to me!

by **NathanWong** on Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:33 pm

Heh, alright. Just thought I'd try. I mean, quite frankly, I'm probably never going to get a chance to hear both side by side with my voice, so it isn't that big of a deal. I think in the end it's going to come down to availability. Online the SM7b is $350 and the RE20 is $400; At my local store the RE20 is $580, whereas other Shure mics are comparable to the online US pricing (ie. SM81 is $380, 57 is $100, 58 is $110), so I need to get in there and ask about the 7b.

Thanks for your response, nonetheless.

by **shaaregeulah** on Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:32 pm

Rimskidog wrote:I took part in.a huge mic shootout recently.

It wasn't the shootout that took place over by the "slutz" was it?

by **Rimskidog** on Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:10 am

Sadly not 'that' one. I took part in one in nashville. Even managed to grab a beer and some local cuisine with dugzink while I was there... ;-)

Always good to finally meet a tweakhead (on which subject I'll be in nyc in july if you fancy a cold one!)

by **shaaregeulah** on Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:54 am

I'm probably gonna be out of town most of July, but I'll let you know if anything changes. That would certainly be cool.

by **NathanWong** on Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:20 pm

Just thought I'd mention that the SM7b is $385 at Steves Music here, vs the RE20 being $590. At that price difference, it's really not a question for me.

Still wouldn't mind hearing any clips you've got, just out of curiosity and nothing more.

by **Dugz Ink** on Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:00 pm

Rimskidog wrote:Even managed to grab a beer and some local cuisine with dugzink while I was there...

And I enjoyed it very much.

On topic, I prefer the RE20 for MY voice, and I think the RE20 will withstand more physical abuse, but the SM7 is loved by a LOT of people. If there's that big of a price difference, go with SM7 and don't second guess your choice.

by **NathanWong** on Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:50 pm

Dugz Ink wrote:
Rimskidog wrote:Even managed to grab a beer and some local cuisine with dugzink while I was there...

And I enjoyed it very much.

On topic, I prefer the RE20 for MY voice, and I think the RE20 will withstand more physical abuse, but the SM7 is loved by a LOT of people. If there's that big of a price difference, go with SM7 and don't second guess your choice.

Yeah, that seems like the safest bet. Thanks!

by **Shadowing** on Tue May 13, 2008 8:31 pm

If you get the SM7B make sure to keep it on 300 ohms
1200 ohms sounds aweful on the Sm7b for any singer

by **TheAngryFedora** on Sat May 17, 2008 11:06 am

I love my SM7. Craigslist buy for $300, and it was an excellent deal.

Check out http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/sessions.htm

Exactly what you're asking about, only I'm not sure if they have the SM7 or the RE20. But it's comparisons of different gear.

Comparison of SM7b and RE20

Comparison of SM7b and RE20

Who is online