Shure Beta 87a and AKG C535 EB Question

[Bob's Mods]

Has anyone used both of these hand held stage condensers? I was wondering what you thought of each and which you felt was the better of the two and by how much?

thanks,
Bob the Mod Guy

 

[bleyrad]

I've used both in numerous situations, most notably in a great-sounding 300-seat theatre with a Meyer FOH system. There it is easy to tell the difference. The 87a sounds somewhat better, fuller and more natural. The C535 sometimes has a more airy top end, and can be a useful choice for quieter concerts, like jazz where the only amplified thing is the vocals.

I used the 87a in a bar a couple weeks ago with a feedback-prone, harsh-sounding Yorkville system - very typical sounding bar environment. There, a plain ol' 58 actually sounded better - cut through a loud rock band where the 87a couldn't - and for some reason was less prone to feedback, despite the 87a's tighter pattern.

But, in a good venue with a good system, 87a is pretty much my first choice for lead vocals. Unless you happen to have a KMS-105 handy.

 

[Bob's Mods]

Thanks very much for that insight bleyrad. I picked up a Beta 87a and its certainly a step up from the Sennheiser 835 S I had been using. Many like the AKG C535 as well but the 87a is way more popular from what I can find.
Gee...I wonder how the 835 S compares to the industry standard SM 58? The one thing about the 835 S I don't like is the handling noise but it does sound decent.

Bob the Mod Guy