Here we are at another comparison in which I will be telling you guys about some important differences and some similarities that can be found between Shure SM7B and Elgato Wave 3.
First thing first, I would like to mention that these microphones come from great brands that are quite professionals when it comes to microphone launching in general.
Right now, I would go directly to some of the main things that you should know about these two microphones, and then you will find out some of the main differences! Let me get started!
Introducing the Microphones
As the first thing that I would like to mention is some main and general information about Shure SM7B and Elgato Wave 3.
Shure SM7B
Shure SM7B is one of the most famous microphones that is used by many people all around the world. It is a super versatile microphone that can be used in many fields such as podcasts, recording, speech, music, and every type of activity that requires a microphone. It was first launched in 2004, and since then, the brand knew that this microphone was going to some places, and it is still moving mountains nowadays.
In order to find out more or purchase Shure SM7B, tap on the link down below.
Elgato Wave 3
Elgato Wave 3 is a condenser microphone that is mostly known as the best one for gamers. However, it doesn’t mean that this microphone cannot be used in other things, as it works and performs perfectly fine in streaming, home offices, and podcasts, and also it works great in different recording studios. Now, the main difference that should be mentioned from the beginning, is that this microphone is launched in 2020, which makes it many years younger than the Shure SM7B.
In order to find out more or purchase Elgato Wave 3, tap on the link down below.
A Comparison of the Key Specifications
We all know that there are some important things that should be mentioned about these microphones and microphones in general. I will divide this section into two main parts while mentioning some specifications about Shure SM7B and Elgato Wave 3.
Shure SM7B
- Dimensions: 13.3 x 7.2 x 4.8 inches
- Weight: 2.03 pounds
- Type: Dynamic
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Connectivity: XLR
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 20 kHz
- Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 22 dB
- Sensitivity: -59 dBV/Pa at 1 kHz
Elgato Wave 3
- Dimensions: 1.57 x 2.6 x 6.02 inches
- Weight: 1.29 pounds
- Type: Condenser
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Connectivity: USB, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Frequency Response: 70 Hz to 20 kHz
- Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 120 dB
- Sensitivity: -25 dBFS
Head-to-Head Comparison
How do they look? – Design and Built
These microphones are quite sturdy in terms of build quality. The Shure SM7B microphone is made of stainless steel, meanwhile, the Elgato Wave 3 includes both plastic and metal combined together. The color that these microphones come at us is black, and there are no other color choices.
Anyways, these microphones have some differences in terms of size and weight. As you can notice in the key specifications that I mentioned above, the Elgato Wave is smaller, and it is lighter in weight when it comes to its usage or its portability part.
In my opinion, Shure is a cooler-looking microphone, so it gets some more points in the design part, even though when it comes to the portability, the Elgato Wave 3 is way more portable based on its weight and size.
How to use them? – Connectivity
The connectivity of these microphones is one of the main and the most important difference that they have. I will talk about them separately.
In Shure SM7B, we deal with the famous XLR (External Line Return) type of connector, which is one of the most commonly used types of cables in different audio equipment, and also it is one of the main connectors in stage lighting. The connectivity part of Shure SM7B is quite good, which makes the microphone usable with any type of device that accepts this connector which is found in many of them.
Moving on to Elgato Wave 3, being younger, it owns different connectivity. It works with a USB type C, which is one of the fastest and the most flexible cables that one can find. As you may already know, the USB type C port can be found in different devices, mostly the modern ones, and that makes the Elgato Wave 3 microphone compatible with all of them.
In terms of connections, both headphones are quite great, but still being completely different from one another I would say that they can be both considered winners and that the connection is all based on what device you tend to use with them.
How do they sound and pick up the voice? – Performance
The sound quality is something that makes any sounding device different from one another, and these two microphones, having two different frequency responses, surely don’t sound the same. What I would say here is that both of them sound good in their own way.
Shure SM7B has a flat frequency response overall, and it is able to provide you with a super smooth and warm quality of sound it can be used amazingly in recording studios. When it comes to picking up the voice, there is a complete blockage of noises that may surround you, especially the hum sounds that may come out of the other devices that you will be recording next to. Being a dynamic microphone, Shure SM7B’s sound waves cause movement and vibration of the magnetic field, and these ones are better if you want to use them at super loud volume. Shure SM7B is also considered a great microphone for instruments such as keyboards, drums, and guitars.
Elgato Wave 3 is a decent microphone when it comes to sound quality, but still, I don’t think that it is the best one when it comes to usage in recording studios. There is a normal and accurate sound quality of sound, and being a condenser microphone it is able to pick up the voice in a quite good and precise way, but only in one direction, which is the front part of the microphone. Condenser microphones are better at following sound waves when compared with dynamic ones. When it comes to stopping the noise that may be in the place that you use it, this microphone is able to defeat it in an excellent way.
If we need a winner at this part, I wouldn’t say that there is one! Both of the microphones provide you with great quality of sound and they are able to pick up your voice in a great way. The main difference here is the usage and how the sound will be in different ways that you may use them. As said, the Shure SM7B is better at studio recordings, while the Elgato Wave isn’t.
Final Thoughts, Conclusion
The end is never easy when I write for you guys comparison articles because I tend to mention some of their specifications and the best things that they provide you with.
Still, in my opinion, even though Shure is quite old and way older than Elgato Wave 3, it still is one of the best overall microphones that you can find in the whole market. Anyways, the best microphone is always the one that you are looking for and the one that fulfills your needs and your search in a better way. Always remember that it doesn’t mean that the other one won’t do the job that it is supposed to.
I hope that with this article I helped you clear your mind and find out the differences between Shure SM7B and Elgato Wave 3!
By the way, if you are thinking about Shure S7MB and another microphone, I would like to mention that I have written also an article in which you will find a comparison between Shure SM7B vs AT4040.
Have fun!
Further Reading
Don’t be shy, go on and read some more posts.
You can read more Shure comparison blogs for example there is shure sm7b vs hyperx quadcast , next would be shure sm7b vs AKG C214. It keeps going shure sm7b vs At4040 and so on.
There is also a list of the finest subwoofers for apartments as well as amazing subwoofers for just under $200.
No, it doesn’t stop here. There is also a list of the best subwoofers for jazz.
As for you rock lovers, there are some wonderful studio monitors for rock and metal music.
Yes, and also a studio monitors for EDM.
Audio Engineer
You’ll never find anyone more passionate about audio as me. I love to share my knowledge with others and help people find the right equipment for them.
