Unidyne III

[AlexHerd]

I know there have been other threads about this mic but...

Is a unidyne III model sm57 worth as much as a regular 57? It's the same mic right? Thanks

 

[tdukex]

Not Exactly

The Unidyne III, or model 545 SD is often found on lecturns for PA systems. I've been watching the David Westerfield kidnapping, murder trial evening highlights here in San Diego, and the witness stand mic is a 545. The 545s do sound very similar to the SM 57. I own two 545s ($10 each at the swap meet), so I feel no need to get any 57s.

From the Shure website:

57 freq response = 40 to 15,000 Hz
545 freq response = 50 to 15,000 Hz

The cardioid patterns are nearly identical

Both have a slight dip at 400 Hz, a bump at 6 kHz, and another dip around 7-8 kHz, and another bump around 9-10 kHz.

I think the 545s retail for about $20 more than the 57s, so unless you get a fabulous deal on the 545, I'd go with the standard 57.

 

[philboyd studge]

I've got a high impedence Unidyne III and a 57, the 57 sounds better in my opinion.

 

[Tonewoods]

I think the 545s retail for about $20 more than the 57s, so unless you get a fabulous deal on the 545, I'd go with the standard 57.

The 545 is still being made and sold?
I thought they were ancient history...
I did a shootout recently on snare, and picked the 545 over the 57, but the Beyer M201 turned out to be my mic of choice...

Bruce
http://www.bruceharvie.com

 

[tdukex]

Yeah, they still make and sell the 545s. You won't find them at GC, though.

 

[AlexHerd]

Thanks guys