Wired Vocal Mics Compared: Shure SM58, Beta 58A, SM7B and More, Electro-Voice ND76, ND86 and ND96

Wired or wireless

A wired mic never needs batteries, never drops out and costs less than a wireless system of the same quality. It is the right call for a DJ booth, an MC on a stand, a church pulpit or a backup in the gig bag. For walking a room, see our wireless microphone guide.

Every mic here is on our listings for pickup in South Gate. Joe can plug one into a speaker at the counter so you hear it before you buy.

Side by side

This table is built only from our own product listings. Where a listing does not state a spec, the cell says so instead of guessing.

Pattern is the spec that matters most on a loud stage: supercardioid mics reject more sound from the sides, which helps against feedback from speakers near the stage.

Wired vocal microphones compared, from our product listings. "Not in our listing" means our product page does not state that spec, so ask us before you count on it.

The live standards: PGA58, SM58, SM58S and Beta 58A

The Shure SM58 is a cardioid dynamic vocal mic with a 50 Hz to 15 kHz response tuned for vocals, a pneumatic shock mount against handling noise, a built-in spherical wind and pop filter and a steel mesh grille. The SM58S is the same mic with an on/off switch, so a speaker can mute it without touching the mixer.

The Beta 58A is the step up: a neodymium magnet for higher output, a supercardioid pattern for strong feedback rejection and a 50 Hz to 16 kHz response. The PGA58 is the affordable cardioid dynamic for speech, karaoke and first PA setups, and its listing notes it needs no phantom power.

Louder rooms: Electro-Voice ND series, Nexadyne and Super 55

The Electro-Voice ND76 is a cardioid dynamic with a humbucking coil against hum near amps and racks and a dent-resistant Memraflex grille, rated to 140 dB SPL. The ND86 is supercardioid with upper-mid boosts that help a voice sit above a band or a DJ mix, and the ND96 is supercardioid with a large-diaphragm capsule and a vocal presence switch.

The Shure Nexadyne 8/C uses two capsules working together to cut handling noise and improve off-axis rejection on loud stages, with a 50 Hz to 20 kHz response. The Shure Super 55 Deluxe is the classic chrome mic with a supercardioid cartridge, a favorite for MCs who want a vintage look.

More detail: condensers and premium dynamics

Condenser mics need phantom power from your mixer, and our listings say so for the Shure SM86, Beta 87A and KSM9 and the Electro-Voice RE520. The SM86 handles up to 147 dB with a three-point shock mount, the Beta 87A is supercardioid with a three-stage pop filter, the RE520 handles up to 149 dB with a switchable high-pass filter, and the KSM9 switches between cardioid and supercardioid.

The Shure KSM8 is a premium dynamic with a dual-diaphragm cartridge that keeps the tone consistent as the singer moves closer or farther away, and it needs no phantom power.

Podcasts, streaming and DJ voiceovers

The Shure SM7B is the broadcast classic, with a flat, wide-range 50 Hz to 20 kHz response, bass rolloff and presence switches and a close-talk windscreen. The SM7dB adds a built-in preamp with up to 28 dB of clean gain, so you do not need an inline booster; that preamp runs on phantom power.

The Shure MV7+ has both USB-C and XLR, so it plugs straight into a computer or into a mixer, with onboard DSP, a real-time denoiser and a touch panel that works as a level meter and tap-to-mute.

Hands-free and instrument mics

The Shure SM35-XLR is a wired condenser headset for instructors, hosts and singers who need their hands free; it needs phantom power. The Shure SM57 is the instrument standard for guitar amps, snares and horns, and it also works on vocals.

How to choose, and how to get one

Think about the room, how loud the speakers are near the mic, and whether your mixer or speaker has phantom power. Bring that to the counter and try two side by side.

Everything is bought and picked up at the shop at 8696 Atlantic Ave in South Gate, and you can ask about our Payment Plan. Stock moves, so call (323) 944-7844 or text (213) 674-9042 to confirm the mic is on the wall before you drive over.