Beta 58 and 57

[Pughbert]

I was looking around on shures web site the other day and noticed that these two mics appear to be 100% identical. There both super cardioid dynamics, with a frequency responce of 50 - 16,000 Hz, both have a mesh and both have the same Frequency response graph. And yet the 57's uses list is 3 times the size! and its cheaper!

So what on earth is the difference?

[boingoman]

I bet these are some of the reasons:

1) Tradition- the 57 has been marketed as an instrument mic, the 58 as a vocal mic. It will have more uses listed because of that.

2) They do sound different, frequency charts aside. I feel the 57 is a bit brighter and has a more presence and detail, which may make it more appropriate for high-transient and higher frequency material. I even prefer it for vocals over the 58 sometimes.

3) The 57 is smaller, and so uses less material in construction. Also, vocals are psychologically very important to people. These factors probably account for some of the price difference. There may be others.

4) The 57's smaller size makes it easier to fit in more places, which also may account for it's longer application list.

Just a few random thoughts......

[sile2001]

Originally Posted by boingoman

I bet these are some of the reasons:

3) The 57 is smaller, and so uses less material in construction. Also, vocals are psychologically very important to people. These factors probably account for some of the price difference. There may be others.

4) The 57's smaller size makes it easier to fit in more places, which also may account for it's longer application list.

Just a few random thoughts......

The only part that's smaller (and the only difference between the two mics) is the grille. This causes a sound difference because the 58 has more foam in that ball than the 57 has in it's closely fit grille. As far as materials for construction go, the only difference is a fraction of a penny's worth of foam and just a little more grille metal.

[WERNER 1]

I have both the Beta 57 & 58, and I can tell you that they sound totally different than each other.......what the reason for this is, I have no idea.

I thought the 57 could handle higher sound pressure levels compared to the 58??

Rick

[boingoman]

Originally Posted by sile2001

The only part that's smaller (and the only difference between the two mics) is the grille. This causes a sound difference because the 58 has more foam in that ball than the 57 has in it's closely fit grille. As far as materials for construction go, the only difference is a fraction of a penny's worth of foam and just a little more grille metal.

The diaphragm is also closer to the grille, and therefore the source, in close-mic'ing situations.

Yeah, the grille is the only smaller part, but it sure can make a big difference when mic'ing a snare, or in some tight percussion set-up, or whatnot.

I was kind of stretching to think that would affect price.

[tkingen]

Most of the comments seem to be about the SM57 and SM58. The original question was about the Beta's. Both the Beta 57 and 58 have grills...they're just shaped a little differently. Can anyone comment on the sound difference between them?
I saw an acoustic blues show recently (Kelly Joe Phelps and Doug McLeod) and was amazed at the quality of the vocal sound. The sound engineer told me that he used Beta 58's on both of them. Usually SM58's sound kind of plain and lacking to me. But those Beta 58's were great!

[sile2001]

Originally Posted by tkingen

Most of the comments seem to be about the SM57 and SM58. The original question was about the Beta's. Both the Beta 57 and 58 have grills...they're just shaped a little differently. Can anyone comment on the sound difference between them?
I saw an acoustic blues show recently (Kelly Joe Phelps and Doug McLeod) and was amazed at the quality of the vocal sound. The sound engineer told me that he used Beta 58's on both of them. Usually SM58's sound kind of plain and lacking to me. But those Beta 58's were great!

Your post was the first mention I see in this thread of the SM mics...all the other comments were in regard to the Betas.

[tkingen]

Originally Posted by sile2001

Your post was the first mention I see in this thread of the SM mics...all the other comments were in regard to the Betas.

Well, you're probably right. I need to slow down my speed reading and pay more attention!

[WERNER 1]

I used to use a regular 57 for volcals, and then I got a Beta 57 for micing guitars and what not, ...and I also started using it for vocals as well........then I got the Beta 58.

Now I use the Beta 58 for my Vocals (Live, not recording ) My goal is to step up to a Beta 87A for live shows, ...those are the real deal.

I can't explain what it is that I like better about the Beta 58 over the 57, but I just like it better. Maybe I'll do a comparrison this weekend and post the results here.

Rick

[boingoman]

tkingen-

I can see where the confusion would come from. I just didn't want to type all those extra letters, myself.

[sile2001]

Originally Posted by WERNER 1

I can't explain what it is that I like better about the Beta 58 over the 57, but I just like it better. Maybe I'll do a comparrison this weekend and post the results here.

Rick

Just different things for different folks. For me, the Beta 57 blows away the Beta 58 on my live vocals. It allows just the right amount of....oh I dunno...maybe it's what they call presence, it's just (strangely enough) warmer AND clearer at the same time.

My friend sounds absolutely horrible through it. Now through his Beta 87....that's a different animal!