Shure Beta 87

andymcafee · Post by **andymcafee** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:58 am

Has anyone used both the Beta 87A and 87C in a live situation and a recording situation? I don't know which one to get.

Matt Mckenna · Post by **Matt Mckenna** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:43 pm

I've used a beta 87 live, great live mic. I also demoed it in a music store with a beta 58 and a Sm 86. I bought the SM 86 it sounded almost identical
to the beta 87 only clearer. The beta 87 had a little more bass , while the 86 was a tad more clear. Very hard to tell the difference though and the Sm86 was 175.00 while the beta 87 was 250.00.

shankyboy · Post by **shankyboy** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:34 pm

You must have had a bad Beta 87. The frequency response of the SM86 is 50hz to 12k and the Beta 87 is 50hz to 20K. The top end on the 87 is cleaner. I have the Beta 87 and the Beta 87A. Excellent mics for live and/or studio applications. Personally, it is my main mic for my vocals on live gigs. Love the crisp, clean sound and the airiness.

jmoore · Post by **jmoore** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 8:25 pm

I just lead a church service this morning using the SM86 and I was absolutely amazed. I guess that I've always considered myself a little bit old school, as the 58's alway been my go to mic for live applications, but now I'm sold on the 86. The high end was so much more open than what I've grown accustomed too. I know that specs would tell you that the Beta 87 is a better mic, but the 86 just simply sounds better to my ear. My sound guy picked his up for about $120.

-jordan

shankyboy · Post by **shankyboy** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:23 pm

Different strokes for different folks. I've heard that Jocko prefers an SM57 for his vocals. (go figure)