Karaoke Forums

Which one is better?

Are there better wired mics for $250 to $300?

All my wireless have the 87A head.  I love them.  If you like the Shure mics; try to do the following:  get a hold of a SM58, the Beta58A and the 87A.  Start with the SM58, then the Beta58A, the 87A.  All three are great mics.  But I think you find by trying this it will show you the difference in each mic.  You will probably find the Beta 58A a little better than the SM58 and the 87A a little better than the Beta 58A.

IMO, Shure mics are hard to beat.  

Kelly

Between the C & the A series you aren't going to notice that much difference.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Thank you, Kelly and Lonman, for your comments.  By the way, I am also considering the Audix VX5 Microphone, which also sells for $250, just like the Shure mics.  Is the VX5 a good mic?

Shure just came out with the KSM9, which sells for $699.  Is it worth buying this model, instead of the Beta 87A?

What are you going to be using these mics for - first question?  If it's for karaoke, the the beta 58 is a great choice - what kind of system are you going to use these mics on?  Good mics will only reveal benefits to a point, otherwise you may be just spending money on something that isn't going to be of much added benefit.

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Good point, Lonman.  I don't really need a $699 condenser mic since I will be using it only for karaoke.  It seems that the Beta 87A would be the right mic for me since it will dramatically improve vocals without spending a lot of money.

I just want you to give ya'll an update on my quest for a really, really good mic.  I am now leaning towards the SLX24 Beta87A.  I have decided that it is better to spend the extra bucks now than wishing later on that I should have bought a good wireless, condenser mic.  

After several days of searching, the best price I have found is $516 plus $17.50 shipping and handling from Northernsound.net.  Do you guys know if I could get a better deal elsewhere?

Again, what kind of system are you going to be running this on.  Is this for pro use/high end recording?  I honestly think you aretrying to get something that you are going to be discappointed in.  More doesn't always mean better & if fact, if the rest of the system isn't up to par with the mic, you may not even hear a difference.  It's like someone who still plugs their mics into a karaoke player, buys a $200 Shure mic & wonders why it don't sound any better - the rest of the system isn't geared to reproduce the higher end signal.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Lonnie, unlike BD who continues to hide his system from us, I don't mind disclosing the components of my system.   Here they are:

1.  Pair of Yorkville NX55P speakers
2.  1 Carvin TRX118 sub  (will add 1 more later)
3.  Carvin DCM2500 (used to power the sub)
4.  TC Electronics M300 effects
5.  BBE 482i Sonic Maximizer
6.  Carvin XC3000 Crossover
7.  DBX 231 EQ
8.  DBX 166XL Compressor Limiter

I currently have a few mics: a Shure SM58, 3 GLS Audio ES-58, an AKG D88, and a Carvin UX16-MC (wireless).  All of these mics have very distinct sounds, and I can hear the difference.  The GLS Audio ES-58 mic is a look-alike of SM58, and it sounds just as good as the original SM58.  Heck, sometimes I think the ES-58 sounds better because it is hotter.  The AKG D88 is the hottest, albeit more prone to feedback, and is my favorite.  The Carvin UX16-MC is very handy and is just as hot as the AKG D88.  I also like it very much, except for the fact that it has a lot of plastic parts.

Carvin has a new wireless mic, the UX1000-MC, which sells for $429.  Here is the link to it:

http://www.carvin.com/products/single.p ... MC&CID=WIR

I was very interested in this mic, until I came across the wireless Beta 87A.

I am curious as to why you feel that I will be disappointed with the mic.  Now that I have shown you my system, do you still feel that my system would not be up to par with this mic?

My system is plastered all over this forum.

Nice set-up.

Well you may or may not be disappointed - it's all subjective to your own ears, if you really feel that you are going to benefit for a high $$ mic, go for it.  I would go test drive them first if at all possible since what someone else might think sounds great to them, may sound horrid to your own ears.  If you have a local Guitar Center, go have them hook up the mics in question - even bring in a couple of your favs for comparison, they shouldn't have any problem doing this.  You may find that you won't need to spend high $$ for a nice sounding mic.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Lonnie, I am glad that my setup meets your standards.  I forgot to mention that I also use a Mackie CFX12 mixer.  As you may recall, I have replaced my Carvin system with these pieces based upon what I learned mostly from you and from other experienced people on this board.  I feel that I have learned so much from the people on this board who tirelessly help those who are trying to put together a system.  I am not quite done with my system, and I am slowly putting more money into it because it is really more a hobby for me than a full-time occupation.  

I have placed an order for the SLX24 Beta 87A today, and I will be getting the mic next week.  I can't wait to try it out.  :)  I also found out that I could buy the Beta 87A wired mic for $174 plus shipping.  Not a bad price considering what some people pay for those mics at the retail stores.

One of the reasons why I wanted a wireless condenser mic is because I might record songs using karaoke tracks and see where I need to improve.  I might also bring the mic to other venues without my system, and there will be occassions when a good wireless mic would be desirable.

How much is an 87A head, only?

Dunno.  Call northernsound and ask for the price.  As long as you don't bark at them, they will give you a good deal.

Basic average eBay prices are such. New prices:

87A wired mic.  $249.00

Shure SLX wireless system with SM58 Head....$599

With Beta 58A head.....................................$639

With 87A/87C head............................................$729

The 87A systems that I use I bought a year and a half ago and got them for $600.  (aren't you proud Bigdog?  

 LMAO

I found just an 87A head for one of my older systems for $125.00

As Lonman said, if you are really considering a higher end mic, try to get one of each and try it if possible.  There IS a noticeable difference as you go up.  But you need to decided for yourself if that difference is worth the extra money.

Kelly

I feel so cheap using 3-$600 microphones, when I could be using 3-$720 ones.

Again you are only paying extra for the transmitter receiver part, the mic itself is no better than the $100 wired version.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

The reciever is $500?????   Get real...

Lonnie's right....If you Purchase a SM58 Wired Mic you pay $99

There is no difference in sound between your SM58 Wireless Mics and the Wired ones so you are paying approx $500 for the wireless capability and convenience.

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Scott