Shure MV7 vs SM7B (2021): Which One Should You Buy?

Shure has made some incredible audio equipment over the years and one of their most iconic products is the Shure SM7B. Ever since its release in the early 2000s, it has been the go-to microphone for a lot of professionals due to its excellent sound. During the late 2000s to the early 2010s, when podcasting became more mainstream, the Shure SM7B gained even more popularity as it has been used by some of the top podcasters in the world, including Joe Rogan, Marc Maron etc. However, since it is a bit pricey and it requires a professional audio setup to use it to its full potential, it’s not as accessible for people on a budget or people that are just starting out.

In October of 2020, the company released the Shure MV7. This microphone gave aspiring content creators and podcasters a more budget friendly and beginner friendly alternative to the Shure SM7B. Should you buy it? Or should you just save up and go for the more established SM7B? We’ll help you decide by comparing the two. To start, here’s a comparison chart highlighting their differences.

Shure MV7 vs SM7B Comparison Chart

Design

Both microphones are well-constructed and easy to set-up.

The Shure MV7 and the Shure SM7B have a similar form factor but the MV7 is a bit more compact and it is also lighter. If portability is a factor for you, the Shure MV7 is easier to store and carry around. As for their build quality, both are sturdy and will be able to take a beating. They are both made from metal, with the Shure SM7B having an aluminum and steel construction. Both come with a premium feel to them.

Both microphones come with a 5/8″ threaded mount and you can easily suspend them on a boom arm or use a desktop stand, whichever you prefer. They both also feature internal shock mounts to prevent any mechanical noise from being picked up while recording.

Both microphones also come with a windscreen that will prevent any unwanted sound from getting picked up, like breathing, room noise and more. The Shure SM7B comes with an extra foam windscreen, while the Shure MV7 only comes with the one that’s already installed. For color options, you can pick either a black or silver MV7, while the SM7B only comes in black.

Performance

The Shure SM7B offers better audio quality, but the MV7 is no slouch.

Both the Shure MV7 and the SM7B are unidirectional dynamic microphones. Basically, this means that both mics will only pickup audio or sound from one direction, which is the front, making them ideal for vocal recordings. Also, both mics have a cardioid polar pattern so they are less sensitive to background or unwanted noises, as well as loud noises. They won’t pick up noises like keyboard typing and more, as long as they are not in front of the mic.

The pop filter on both microphones are very effective when it comes to preventing plosives. However, we found that the Shure MV7 will definitely benefit more with the addition of an external pop filter as it is more sensitive than the SM7B. The windscreens on both mics are also more than adequate at further preventing plosives. Since both mics also have built-in shock mounts, you won’t have issues with any mechanical noise.

When it comes to audio quality, specifically, vocal recordings, the Shure SM7B is able to deliver a clear and more accurate sound. Of course, you can tweak EQ settings to get them to sound almost the same, however, out of the box, the Shure SM7B definitely sounds better. As for sounds other than vocals, the Shure SM7B also delivers better results. This is not to say that the Shure MV7 produces terrible sound, it’s just that the SM7B is overall better.

Outputs and Controls

The Shure MV7 has more outputs than the SM7B.

Since the Shure MV7 has more outputs, it is more beginner and budget-conscious friendly. First, it comes with a USB out, meaning that you can plug it directly to your laptop or desktop PC and you’re up and running in no time. Also, it comes with a 3.5mm headphones port for monitoring during a recording or podcasting session, you don’t need an audio interface to do so. Furthermore, it also comes with the Shure MOTIV desktop and mobile app, which allows you to tweak and play with a lot of settings that include monitor mixing, adjusting gain, EQ adjustments and more.

In addition to its USB and 3.5mm out, it also comes with an XLR output if you want to connect it to an audio interface or a preamp. On the other hand, the Shure SM7B only has an XLR output, which makes it less accessible for beginners or people without the extra audio hardware.

As for controls, the Shure MV7 has a touch panel where you can control the mic and headphone volume, as well as a mute function. This touch panel will only work when connected via USB. If you connect the mic via XLR to an audio interface, the touch panel is disabled.

On the Shure SM7B, there are no controls whatsoever, every adjustment needs to be done via the audio interface. However, it does have an EQ switch at the back with three presets—Flat, Bass Rolloff and Presence Boost. The Flat preset is best if you want a natural and accurate sound, Bass Rolloff is the preset that you should use if you want to limit the low-end, and Presence Boost is best if you want to amplify the mid and high frequencies.

Verdict

For those that are just starting out, the Shure MV7 is a great buy. However, if you already know what you’re doing, you have the audio equipment and you just want the best, then go for the Shure SM7B.

If you want the better sounding microphone, you should definitely pick the Shure SM7B as it is able to deliver better and more accurate sound. It is very versatile as well, so you should buy it if you plan on using your mic not just for vocal recordings. However, it is more expensive and you will need to have or buy additional audio equipment to be able to use it. If you don’t mind spending extra for an audio interface and/or a preamp, or you already have them, then the Shure SM7B will definitely be the better purchase.

If you are a content creator or a podcaster that’s just starting out, the Shure MV7 is a very attractive option. It is less expensive than the Shure SM7B and it doesn’t require any additional audio equipment to get started. The Shure MV7’s sound is not quite as accurate as the SM7B but it is still very good and it is more than enough to produce a great sounding podcast or video.

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