Sennheiser and Shure continue their competition, this time with their dynamic handheld mics Sennheiser E935 and Shure Beta 58. Both are said to be suitable for live performances as well as studio uses. So, which one of them is actually better? Below, we will try to clear the confusion and see the actual differences between Sennheiser E935 vs Beta 58 to help you choose the best mic for the money. So, continue reading!
Design
Of the two, Sennheiser E935 looks better. It comes with an all-black color scheme, whereas the name of the product is written in white. It has a metal construction that is highly rugged and durable, and it is certainly ready to face travel and usage abuse. The metal grille is also black, and is rather compact. As a result, this mic looks elegant and professional. It happens to be a little bit heavier at 12.5 oz.
On the other hand, Shure Beta 58 comes with a more traditional look. The black housing is also rugged and durable. But it comes with a silver metal spherical grille. It looks plain and conventional. Nevertheless, the design works effectively. Don’t forget to check our previous post about the sibling, Sennheiser E935 vs Shure SM58.
Polar Pattern and Reception
Note that Sennheiser E935 vs Shure Beta 58 have different polar patterns. Sennheiser E935 is a cardioid mic, which means that it captures sounds only from the front while rejecting other sounds from other directions. It rejects environmental noise very well. On the other hand, Shure Beta 58 is a supercardioid mic. This mic also focuses on capturing sounds from the front. However, the rear rejection is not as strong. As the effect, this mic tends to be more susceptible to noise and feedback from the rear. But, to be fair, this mic still resists noise and feedback pretty well.
Technical Specs
| Sennheiser E935 | Beta 58 |
|---|---|
| - Pick-up pattern : Cardioid | - Pick-up pattern : Supercardioid |
| - Frequency Response : 40 - 18000 Hz | - Frequency Response : 50 to 16,000 Hz |
| - Sensitivity : 2,8mV/Pa = -51dB | - Open Circuit Voltage: -51.5 dBV/Pa* (2.6 mV) *1 Pa = 94 dB SPL |
Performance
Both Sennheiser E935 and Shure Beta 58 are generally great. They have very good sound quality. They are quite versatile for various applications and purposes. They both are also somewhat sensitive to plosives, so you may need a pop filter to reduce the plosives.
Many people prefer Sennheiser E935 because it gives more presence to the vocal. It produces very good midrange and treble. In general, it also sounds rounder and fuller. The output is smooth and warm, and the output is also crisp with good clarity. One more nice thing about Sennheiser E935 is that it doesn’t have too much low-end so that it won’t produce too much boom. Sennheiser E935 is suitable for both male and female vocals and various genres.
On the other hand, Shure Beta 58 has more low-end presence. The vocal presence is good, but not as great as Sennheiser E935. But you can choose this mic if you need to bump up the low-end presence. Shure Beta 58 is good for rock vocals.
Sennheiser E935 Vs Beta 58
Conclusion
In general, Sennheiser E935 is the better choice. It has a more elegant design, and the performance is great and versatile. It produces better vocal presence that is crisp and clear. On the other hand, Shure Beta 58 tends to produce more low-end.