Blue Yeti X vs Shure SM7B (2021): Which Microphone Is Better?

Whether you are streaming content for an audience or hosting a guest in a podcast, you’ll certainly want to be heard clearly and loudly. If you’ve largely relied on your webcam or headset’s microphone, then it’s probably time to upgrade your setup. The Blue Yeti X and Shure SM7B are two of the best microphones you can get in the market.

The Blue Yeti X is an easy to set up unit that can deliver professional broadcasting sound from the comforts of your own home. The Shure SM7B, on the other hand, is a favorite among audiophiles looking for a studio-quality performance. If you’re curious about which mic you should get, read our comparison below.

Blue Yeti X vs Shure SM7B Comparison Chart

Design and Components

The Blue Yeti X is a sleek USB mic whereas the Shure SM7B is a premium designed studio microphone.

Building on the success of its predecessor, the Blue Yeti X applies refinements to certain design elements. Blue’s latest flagship USB mic is now slimmer and sleeker. Its black finish, together with its metallic grille and silver accents, also lends the unit a professional appearance. You’ll also find a multifunction smart knob that can be toggled or turned. It’s surrounded by nifty, customizable LED lighting, too. At the back of the mic, on the other hand, is another button used for switching between polar patterns.

Now the Blue Yeti X ships with a 2 meter USB cable and desktop stand. Its built-in stand is pretty solid and can swivel to an upward angle. If you want a bit more flexibility, however, the Yeti X is compatible with standard mic stands.

The Shure SM7B, on the other hand, sports a design expected of a studio-quality microphone. The all-black unit has a certain heft to it borne out of its rugged construction. Out of the box, you’ll also be pleased to know the SM7B already comes with a pop filter pre-installed, along with a detachable windscreen. On the back of the unit are two toggles for switching between frequency responses.

To eliminate as much mechanical noise as possible, the Shure SM7B comes with an internal air suspension and shock isolation. Its integrated mounting mechanism, on the other hand, allows for straightforward attaching and detaching across different mic stands. Still, the mount is sturdy and offers enough resistance to keep the microphone in place.

Features

Both the Blue Yeti X and Shure SM7B come with best-in-class features.

The main difference between the Blue Yeti X and Shure SM7B is in the type of microphone they are. The Yeti X is a condenser mic that offers a wider frequency response. As such, it typically catches more delicate sounds. The SM7B, on the other hand, is a dynamic microphone that’s exceptionally versatile. It’s great for live instruments and settings but also clear and crisp vocal reproduction.

Blue Yeti X

Now Blue’s Yeti X is largely marketed for content creators and streamers. The mic’s four-capsule condenser and four pick up patterns reflect this purpose. The bidirectional mode, for instance, allows recording from both the front and rear of the microphone. This is ideal if you’re streaming an interview, for example. The cardioid mode, on the other hand, can be your default mode for podcasting. As mentioned in the design, a button on the back of the Yeti X makes it easy to switch between polar patterns.

But what makes this device particularly attractive for consumers is its ease of use. The Yeti X is plug and play on both PC and Mac. In addition, the smart knob allows for simple yet accessible control over recording elements like headphone volume, mic gain, and even mute. The Yeti X also boasts several vocal effects for broadcasting, along with the ability to customize the LED lights on the mic. Both features are available through an integration with the Logitech G HUB software.

Shure SM7B

The SM7B is one of Shure’s best-selling microphones for a good reason. With this mic, design and construction form the backbone of the features. Unlike the Yeti X, the Shure SM7B only features the classic cardioid pattern for excellent off-axis rejection. But its internal hardware (air suspension and shock insulation) and accompanying filters (pop filter and windscreen) also help to capture the natural beauty of a sound with little coloration.

Shure also pays great attention to details. With the SM7B, you get an electromagnetic shield to cancel out noise typically imperceptible to human ears—like hums from computers and studio equipment, as well as broadband interference. There are fewer hardware settings here, however, compared to the SM7B. The two toggles on the back are for a presence boost adjuster and a bass rolloff switch only. Most settings are adjustable with a pre-amp, instead.

Performance

Although the Blue Yeti X is good, it’s hard to beat the superior recording quality of Shure’s SM7B.

Blue’s Yeti X is a capable microphone that elevates any streaming or podcasting setup. Vocal recordings on the mic are mostly clear. Moreover, the reliable low-frequency response translates to a richer sound. It’s not a huge leap from its predecessor but maintains the clarity that’s become the signature of this lineup.

The Yeti X also enjoys great software courtesy of the Blue SHERPA and the Logitech G-Hub. With the SHERPA, users can access the Blue VO!CE technology to add real-time vocal filters that should enhance broadcast quality. This is helpful where the Yeti X typically struggles—plosives. Thankfully, the mic’s internal damping mechanism keeps these blasts of air at a minimum. But if you want a cleaner sound, getting a pop filter is still recommended.

Now it’s hard to find fault with the Shure SM7B. The microphone, after all, has always been regarded for its superior performance. In the SM7B, the premium construction translates to incredibly clear studio recordings. Even in the least favorable of environments and on a flat frequency response mode, you get high-fidelity vocals with almost zero background noise.

The two built-in settings on the Shure SM7B helps accommodate a wider range of voices, too. The presence boost, for instance, amplifies the treble and mids to capture brighter sounds with great fidelity. Meanwhile, the bass rolloff option helps reduce the punch from recordings, if that’s the kind of quality you’re going for. Combined with the accompanying filters, it’s hard to beat the recording quality offered by the Shure SM7B.

Accessories

These microphones are compatible with standard mic accessories.

The Blue Yeti X and the Shure SM7B are both compatible with standard microphone stands. However, the Yeti X will require an adapter so you can mount it on these stands. Blue also sells a premium boom arm called Compass if you need a little more flexibility. The Compass already includes built-in cable management to keep your setup organized. You can also get the Radius III, a vintage-style suspension mount that helps shield your Yeti microphone from ambient vibrations and shock.

As mentioned earlier, the Shure SM7B comes with a pop filter and windscreen out of the box. Units also typically include a switch cover plate. Unlike the Yeti X, however, desk stands are sold separately. It’s been said that recording vocals with the Shure SM7B is best with the mouth close to the microphone. Thus, getting a boom arm is highly recommended, too. Fortunately, there are plenty of SM7B bundles that include broadcast arms and third-party accessories.

Verdict

The Blue Yeti X is ideal for content creators and streamers while the Shure SM7B will benefit professionals, musicians, and singers better.

The Blue Yeti X is an excellent USB microphone that comes with plenty of hardware features and software settings. It’s user friendly, too, and works as a plug and play device on PC and Mac. Streamers and content creators looking to upgrade their recording set up stand to benefit the most from this unit. But if you’re just starting, you might find the Yeti X a little expensive.

Speaking of cost, however, the Shure SM7B is no entry-level microphone. Instead, you’re getting your hands on a premium mic that’s built on Shure’s many years of experience and attested to by its reputation among professionals. Unlike the Yeti X, the SM7B requires more technical expertise to set up. It comes with a heftier price tag, too. But if you’re looking for the best in class studio-quality mic, you simply can’t go wrong with the SM7B.

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