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We have already done reviews on some Shure mics from the product line called "MOTIV" and it is necessary to repeat that this line has already proved that it is possible to engineer microphones which are considered portable devices and at the same time quality of its recordings can almost be compared with studio ones. Today we are doing a review on Shure MV5 (MV5C), the younger brother of the MV51 model. This is also a portable mic with USB, USB-C and Lightning connectivity, so you will be able to use it even with your iOS smartphone via Lightning cable, and of course, it's designed for use with PC and MAC. This little spherical example of a good mic also has a 3,5mm headphone jack input, so you will be able to monitor your records in real-time and let’s not forget about the high-level (as usual) design of this sweet device. All these features will be covered soon, but let’s start with specifications and before we start our Shure MV5 review let's explore the differences between the Shure MV5 and the Shure MV5C.
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Best Price on Shure MV5 (MV5C) Digital Condenser Microphone
The Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone is a versatile and portable solution designed to deliver professional-grade audio for content creators, musicians, podcasters, and beyond. |
Classic Package
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The Shure MV5 and the Shure MV5C are quite similar in technical parameters and identical in appearance. But the microphones have some serious differences. The Shure MV5C is positioned as a desktop microphone exclusively for connecting to your PC or Mac (comes with two cables: USBA to MicroB, USB Type-C to MicroB). Shure designed it for conferencing in programs such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, podcasting, streaming, webinars and voiceovers. Everything in the Shure MV5C model is designed to improve the quality of your speech, as the microphone has a built-in DSP preset "Speech" and "Flat" (switchable by pressing a button on the body). Speech mode is a gain, compression and EQ preset designed to optimize voice tone and clarity. In short, the Shure MV5C is a microphone for your home office.
As for the Shure MV5 model, things are more interesting. Shure positions the MV5 as an on-the-go mic and at the same time as a microphone for home use. It is a more versatile model and can connect to iOS devices with a Lightning connector and at the same time to your PC or MAC via USB (Micro-B to USBA & Micro-B to Lightning cables are included with the mic). The Shure MV5 is already equipped with three DSP presets: Vocals, Flat, Instrument (also switchable with the "mode" button on the body).
And so the main difference is that Shure MV5 can connect to iOS devices via lightning cable, while MV5C does not have such an opportunity. But both microphones are designed to connect to PC and Mac and the Shure MV5C has a more modern USB-C cable for this purpose. The next difference in DSP presets we described above (the Shure MV5 has more of them). In this article, we'll mostly review the Shure MV5 as we consider it to be a more versatile device, despite the similarities between the two microphone models.
So we are going to start our Shure MV5 review with design. Shure specialists once again proved that they are professionals, moreover professionals with good taste. This little ball is very easy to transport and easy to use (this is especially handy for people, who use portable devices more frequently). You can put it wherever you want to work with it. Unfortunately, the case is not included in the set, so it will be necessary to buy something to put it in if you are going to transport it somewhere. The shell looks simple but elegant and it is hard to tell the material (actually mostly plastic), because it does not seem cheap at a glance. We love that Shure is taking inspiration from retro microphone design and bringing a touch of retro-vintage notes to modern devices like the Shure MV5 or Shure MV51.
Shure MV5 microphone is available in two colors: Gray with black foam and Black with red foam (Shure MV5C all-black). The only drawback is that we didn't like that Shure equipped the MV5 & MV5C with 1/4-inch threads, which is more the standard for camera and video equipment (the standard for audio equipment is 3/8 and 5/8 threads). If you want to attach the mic to a boom arm or other stand, for example, pay attention to this, you may need a threaded adapter or a stand that already has 1/4 threads.
Now let’s talk more about its usability. The Build of the microphone provides full functionality for comfortable use, the only thing we did not like - it's buttons on the rear panel (this is a little awkward), but this arrangement is conditioned by the shape ball design of this mic. On the rear panel, you can find mute & mode switch buttons, volume level adjustment wheel, 3.5 jack output for monitoring your recording, 3 DSP modes led indication. The desktop stand, which comes with it in set, is fully metal and looks like it is the one and only thing you need with MV5. This stand is stable and it will be great addition for podcasters, gamers and mediocre PC users. The hatch is simple but solid.
We have already written a lot about an official application for Shure portable mics, which is called ShurePlus MOTIV Audio App and it allows you to change some sets, such as bit depth, sample rate, gain control. You will also be able to change DSP modes, choose formats of your recordings and change some settings of limiter equalizer and compressor. You even will be able to save your recordings as videos on your camera roll. This app is a lifesaver for people who want to get maximum of quality using only portable devices as iPhone and iPad.
So, to the most important section of our Shure MV5 review. First of all, let us repeat another time that the statement that microphones like this (and even Blue Yeti) can record studio-quality files is unreasonable, that is why in intro we wrote "almost can be compared". Speaking the truth, you can compare everything you want, the problem is that it makes no sense. So from that point, we can assume you that the quality of this USB microphone is pretty good. Coming in at a maximum sample rate of 24bit / 48kHz, it will be more than enough for everyone, except professionals. The sound is quite soft and three installed DSP modes (Vocals/Instrumental/Flat) makes this mic an even more desirable purchase due to its flexibility. This thing does not even need pop-filter if you are not move your mouth super closely to it.
The wide frequency response from 20Hz up to 20KHz delights us. It is comparable to some studio condenser microphones and has a nice uplift from 6KHz to 10KHz, emphasizing the mids.
The Shure MV5 is most often compared to the Blue Yeti and Shure MV5C. Well, let's find out which is better!
There's no point in re-describing the difference between these two microphones. You can see a full comparison of these two models at the beginning of our review. To summarize, each model is designed for different purposes and connection types.
To start with, the Yeti line of microphones is quite broad and includes the Classic Yeti, Yeti ORB, Yeti Nano, Yeti X, Yeti GX, and Yeti Studio models. We will compare the Shure MV5 with the Classic Yeti, Yeti ORB, Yeti Nano, all other models are in a different price range and class, so we don't see the point of comparison.
The Yeti Orb is much cheaper than the Shure MV5 and has less functionality despite its futuristic spherical design. Yeti Orb is the same Desktop USB microphone but without the ability to connect to iOS devices, without DSP presets, headphone monitoring, and mute button. Yeti Orb's software is much better, but the Shure MV5 still wins in terms of sound quality. If you need a microphone without unnecessary features - Yeti Orb will be a good choice and will save your budget.
There's also no point comparing the Shure MV5 to the classic Blue Yeti version. We think that Blue Yeti is outdated, it has been produced for more than 10 years and is the best-selling USB microphone in the world, but its technical characteristics leave much to be desired (for example, low sample rate 16-bit, while the Shure MV5 has 24-bit). The Classic Yeti weighs a lot, 1.5kg with the stand, it's not the kind of microphone you can take with you on a trip and easily transport. But at the same time, the distinctive feature of the Classic Yeti is the interchangeable polar patterns: Cardioid, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional, Stereo. Our editorial team believes that Shure MV5 (MV5C) wins in all parameters, although the microphones cost the same price.
Let's move on to the Yeti Nano, a more recent version of the legendary microphone. Here the situation is much more interesting: the microphones are a bit similar in technical characteristics but have differences. Yeti Nano, like the classic version, has selectable polar patterns: Cardioid, Omnidirectional and the possibility of audio monitoring through headphones. In terms of sound quality, the Shure MV5 will be slightly better, all thanks to the larger 16mm microphone capsule, while the Yeti Nano has a 14mm capsule. Again Yeti's software is a big advantage, but we're still leaning towards the Shure MV5. In case of these two microphones, choose according to your priorities: if you need a portable mic - Shure MV5 is your choice, if you need a desktop mic - Yeti has a slight advantage.
We think that in this Shure MV5 review, we will just bring you all awesome features of this mic and leave you with your positive decision. So for ~99 dollars you will get a spherical masterpiece with good looking design this is very easy to use and transport. The quality of sound is good due to engineering decisions and flexibility of settings both on portable devices and personal computers. Also you will get fully metal stand with unified clamp and cables to connect with pc mac and to connect with iOS Lightning devices. And the most crucial thing is that it is Shure, company, which pleases us with its quality and innovations each year. So if you are a streamer, podcaster, musician, ornithologist or we don’t know…And you do not want to spend more than 100 bucks for a good microphone this cute little ball is without a doubt for you.
Our editorial team hopes you enjoyed our Shure MV5 review. Feel free to leave comments, questions and suggestions in the section below. We will be happy to respond to all of your replies.
Pros
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Cons
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8.2
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Our Score
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