Microphones
Elgato Wave:3 MK.2vsShure SM7B
Compare Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 and Shure SM7B side by side. See pricing, features, and which is right for your podcast.
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 | Shure SM7B |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $170 | $439 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 | Shure SM7B |
|---|---|---|
| Connection Type | USB | XLR |
| Polar Pattern | cardioid | cardioid |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz-20kHz | 50Hz-20kHz |
| Headphone Jack | ||
| Gain Control | ||
| Mute Button | ||
| Includes Stand | ||
| Max SPL | 180 |
Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Clipguard 2.0 prevents distortion
- Wave Link digital mixing software
- Stream Deck integration
Cons
- USB only, no XLR option
- Condenser picks up more noise
- Wave Link has learning curve
Shure SM7B Pros & Cons
Pros
- Warm, full broadcast sound that needs little processing
- Rejects room noise and off-axis sound well, so an untreated room is forgiving
- Internal shock isolation cuts desk and boom-arm thumps
Cons
- Needs about 60dB of clean gain, so a booster or a high-gain interface is usually required
- XLR only, so an audio interface is a separate purchase
- $439 is a lot for a first microphone
The Verdict
Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 is best for:
- →Streamers using Stream Deck
- →Elgato ecosystem users
- →Content creators needing mixing
Shure SM7B is best for:
- →Podcasters who already have a good preamp
- →Home studios with some acoustic treatment
- →People upgrading from a USB mic
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper: Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 or Shure SM7B?
- Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 costs less. Both are one-time purchases: Wave:3 MK.2 is $170 against $439 for SM7B.
- What is the main difference between Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 and Shure SM7B?
- Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 covers Headphone Jack, Gain Control, and Mute Button, which Shure SM7B does not. Nothing on the compared feature list goes the other way.