wow man, let's see how I suggest advice here....I suppose this is like my secret when it comes to hunting the perfect mic at a fair price.
for an acoustic/ vocal setup, I don't know if any mic on the list (at least by itself) will do such an extrodinary job of getting the open sound you want.
Recently I had made a cheap purchase (well cheap for me) in getting
an AKG C 3000 B for project/on site stuff. For a cool 300 clams, the mic isn't too bad.
It's tailored to be warm, but the danger with this is that it's a hot microphone. Meaning that it picks up a loud signal. So with the 10db pad (on a cheap pre), it seems to work out fine for most things.
However, I'm guessing that's not your budget. Which seems to me that you are more in the 100 dollar range?
For that I have some advice:
First off, I would advise looking into a large diaphram condenser. The best type would be a tube LDC, but at 100, that's very unlikely. So solid state (FET, transformerless, whatever) would do you fine.
If there is a major retailer for audio gear around you (Sam Ash, Guitar Center) I highly advise that you have a look at what they might have online first. Try to research some specs and ratings, so you can used to reading microphone specs and what they mean. If you see a mic that appears interesting and capable to you, then you make the trip to the store.
However, when you're in the specialized market for pro audio, you tend to start from experience or word of mouth of a specific mic, and then come to researching and purchasing from specialized dealers.
You have to play the "Im the potential buyer, but I would like to test it out before I buy" role. So if you've found your mic, they should be able to arrange to set up something for you in terms of testing various mics of similar prices. The best thing is having them connected side by side so you can instantly compare the sound of each (for god sakes watch out with feedback). In the studio word this is what you call as doing a "shootout".
Unfortunatly, I can't tell you what to listen for. Because my sound might not be what your sound is. I personally hunt for mics that handle close miking well and handle proximity effect well, depending on the application (among other extremely specific characteristics).
But you can sort of have an idea if you can sing into each mic and find out what characteristic you like and dont like from each mic.
And for god sakes, make sure all mics have the same preamp. I remember a sales rep was trying to "sneek it" by me and wanted to connect one of my test mics into an avalon. I told him, "so are you planning to hook up *all* the mics into that one avalon?" He smiled and then unplugged it from the preamp and hooked up the mics on a 24 channel mackie that was right next to it. He knew exactly what I ment.
It's important that you don't listen to the sales rep at this point, cause they usually *love* to talk about suggesting a different microphone that will completely turd your deal. (I apologize to the sales reps in the house). I usually ask the sales rep to wait outside until I'm ready to decide.
This way I can be personal and focused on my mics. Sometimes to be an asshole, I have them set up 8 mics when I know Im testing 3 of them. It keeps them stay on thier toes and maybe it's good that they have the occasional customer that does so. (Only a theory)
Anyway, once you have your mics lined up, just try to recreate whatever situation vocally you think you're going to come across in your recordings. Talk softly, scream, low voice, high voice, funny noises, clicks, finger snaps, claps, etc. This allows you to become familiar with the microphone...somewhat. You still have to consider that they've probably run the mics through a good preamp (that does help) and that your listening environment will have a great impact on the sound of that mic.
But you can usually get an alright idea of how it performs.
So if after that, you've found a microphone you liked, well then comes the choice between being sorta sleezy or being a good sport. You can either purchase the mic on spot, or if you want to avoid insane tax laws, then you simply state "well I think I have a better idea now of what I had in mind, but let me have a few days to think about it".
This way you can try to find it at a place like sweetwater and get it shipped tax free. Personally, I leave the buying half and half. Half of the times I'll be a good sport and buy direct from the store. Most of the time (so I lied about half and half) I try to get the better deal by getting it straight from a direct dealer (if I can get in touch with the rep at the time).
-At least this way you become familiar with personally trying everything you buy (I can't stress how important that is).
-You get some experience dealing with able bodies, which can keep your "tech talk" sharpened up.
-You get some experience bargaining and getting used to the business "mud pitt" of consumer purchasing.
-And maybe most importantly, you're always getting a view of the new and upcomming technologies manufacturers are comming out with.
Cause I think we all know how fast times are moving these days.
