There are a few pieces of equipment that are essential to recording and editing a piece of audio, whether it be music, podcasts, interviews, live streaming, or even just recording for yourself.
One of the most important in these scenarios is that of a microphone (also see, ‘Best Microphone For Streaming‘).
It is the piece of equipment that directly allows you to record, and without one, you simply don’t have a show or audio recording.
As such, you want whichever microphone to be worth the money that you paid for it. If it is cheap or poorly made, your audio clip’s sound quality will be awful, and it may well ruin whatever you were trying to record.
As such, for recording vocals, people in the modern day tend to use two types of microphones: the Samson Q9U or the Shure MV7.
But which of these microphones is the better one? In this article, we are going to find this out.
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| Primary Rating: 3.5 | Primary Rating: 3.5 |
| $141.99 | $249.00 |
Best Microphone
In order to understand which of these microphones is better than the other, we will have to take a look at each microphone individually, see what makes them amazing and see what flaws they have, before comparing the two and giving our opinion on each.
With that said, let’s have a look at them each, starting with the Samson Q9U.
Samson Q9U
Samson has been in the microphone game for a long time.
They have been designing wireless microphone systems since the 1980s with their product range and business expanding throughout the 80s until the early 90s, when they moved into more audio hardware and software, like power amplifiers, mixers, and wired microphones.
In 2005, they branched out to USB microphones for podcasters, broadcasters, and musicians, moving into the modern day and becoming a key part of the industry they have served so well.
Of these products, the Samson Q9U is currently the favorite.
It is a microphone that offers clear, crisp sound that can be slightly boxy at times, but is very deep and full.
While the sound is great, the fact is it can be achieved at some distance, being crystal clear over a foot or two away from the microphone.
While the sound is clear, it doesn’t pick up unnecessary background noise like the clicking of a keyboard or the reverberations off a wall (also see, ‘Audacity Noise Reduction‘).
This is great for those who live in a noisy environment as it doesn’t pick up as much of the noise as others would.
ALSO SEE: How To Reduce Background Noise On Mic
The Samson Q9U’s proximity effect also works very well, allowing for a more natural sound that provides the user with more vocal control.
Its mid boost switch allows for better vocal control and its low noise circuitry makes it perfect for podcasting, voice-over work and live streaming.
The XLR output of the Q9U is great for those who want to connect their microphone directly to an amplifier or recording device with minimal effort.
The Samson Q9U’s low cut filter also helps to reduce any low-frequency noise that can be distracting and uncomfortable when listening, while its high-performance capsule offers a warm, natural sound.
The Q9U is also a hybrid microphone that offers both XLR and USB connections, meaning it can be used for multiple different purposes, from a normal PC recording to a professional setup, which is great for those who move between those two different environments.
The price of the Q9U is fairly reasonable, being between $99 and $199 depending on where you are.
Considering all that the microphone comes with and how most decent microphones are around this price, this isn’t too bad.
However, there are some drawbacks to the Q9U, even if they are minor. The first is that although the sound is good, it can be a little too compressed.
This isn’t that bad, it just makes the sound a little less natural than other microphones do.
The Q9U also has no ways to control the actual mic or sound levels through Windows itself.
That has to be done through its own operating system, which can be problematic if you need to make adjustments mid-recording, as you will have to leave whatever program you are in and fiddle with the operating system to get it right again.
Pros:
- Good sound
- USB and XLR output
- Good noise reduction
- Good price
- Quiet headphone output
Cons:
- Sound can be a little unnatural.
- No direct control from your device.
Shure MV7
Shure, as a company, has been around for many, many years, long before Samson came on the scene.
They were founded in 1925 S. N. Shure, whose company and business was building AM radio kits and components.
Then, in 1932, they became one of the few microphone manufacturers in the US with the invention of their Model 33N microphone.
Since those first early years, Shure have gone from strength to strength and have continued to grow their brand and their product line, becoming one of the most respected and one of the largest microphone producers in the country today.
The Shure MV7 can be seen as another decorated member of the Shure products, and it is beloved for many reasons amongst professionals.
The microphone itself is fairly durable, and able to take some punishment before giving up. We don’t recommend that you test this by throwing it against a wall, but should you drop it on the floor, it won’t break.
It offers a clear, crisp sound that lets your voice be quite deep without being booming.
However, the sound is very natural, as the microphone doesn’t compress or adjust it to strange levels, which is amazing, especially when you are talking directly to people through it.
Like the Samson, the Shure MV7 also offers two connections, which is great.
You can plug it directly into your laptop with a USB C connection, or you can use it through an XLR if you are doing something more professional.
Not only that, but the mic is designed for ease of use. It has a mute button, with the buttons being lit up and an LED touch panel to show levels. This mic also has a slide for headphone volume, making volume control a breeze.
Unfortunately, the Shure suffers from the same problems as the Samson.
There is no direct control through your computer or device, and you need to launch the operating system or app in order to work properly.
Again, this is problematic if you are in the middle of recording, and suddenly you have to close everything to get it working properly.
Another issue is the price. Generally, the Shure is about $50 to $100 more expensive than the Samson, at about $250 to $300.
This is a considerable leap in price and can cause problems for those who are needing a microphone but are struggling.
Pros:
- Great sound
- Durable
- XLR connections and USB mode
- Easy to use
- Built in headphone output
- Works well with an audio interface
Cons:
- No direct control from your device
- Price is high
The Verdict
These two microphones are very similar, with even their problems being similar.
However, we have to give the edge to the Shure MV7, as it seems to be a slightly better version of the Samson Q9U itself.
However, if you want one for a cheaper price, the Samson is the way to go.
Conclusion
The Samson and Shure microphones are both great microphones for professional recording, with the Shure being slightly better in our opinion.
While these are quite expensive microphones, you are going to have crisp, clear audio for your pet project or work whichever one you choose,
