The Shure 55SH Series II and Shure Super 55 mics are the most prevalent old-school microphones available currently on the market if you are looking for a great vintage microphone for your setup.
Despite being two of the best microphones from Unidyne Series by the Shure microphone brand, Shure 55SH vs Super 55 have so many similarities between them that you may be confused in choosing which one to purchase.
Here, I’m helping you to pick the best mic for you by comparing Shure 55SH II and the Shure Super 55 Microphone.
Shure 55SH Series II
The Shure 55SH II is one of the most iconic Unidyne microphones. It is also known as “miconic”.
- VINTAGE STYLE - Classic look and feel inspired by the original Shure Unidyne...
- RICH SOUND QUALITY - Dynamic cartridge with a cardioid polar pattern and...
- RUGGED CONSTRUCTION - All-metal construction with a chrome-plated die-cast...
- SHOCK-MOUNTED DESIGN - Internal shock mount reduces handling noise and...
- VERSATILE - Ideal for live performances, podcasting, broadcasting, studio...
Shure 55SH Series II is the dynamic vocal microphone that is best for studio recording and specially made for vocals. The classic and retro look of the microphone attracts everyone with the shiny metal brushing finishing. It is one of the original retro microphones.
55SH II does have the regular cardioid pickup polar pattern which captures the sound only from the front side of the microphone. It does eliminate all the sound from the other sides of the microphone.
Shure 55SH II mic comes with the classic on/off switch on the mic that makes it handier while moving the microphone. It does have a grey in the built pop filter which gives the microphone a silver look.
It does have XLR connectivity which is quite easier with most of the devices. You don’t need their phantom power supply to use the Shure 55SH II microphone. It comes with a mic stand which is comfortable.
Shure 55SH II microphone does have a frequency response of 50Hz to 15,000Hz which is perfect for any dynamic microphone and for vocals as well. It has a sensitivity of -58.0 dBv/Pa at 1kHz. The max SPL of the microphone is 93 dB SPL which is a bit lower for drums and other high-end instrumentals.
Shure 55SH does have a wide capturing angle if you want to sing vocals while moving around corners. This comes in pretty handy when singing vocals.
Features of Shure 55SH Series II Microphone
- Uniform cardioid polar pattern
- Original Retro Style
- Metal construction
- Shock-mounted cartridge
- Easy angling
- On/Off switch
Technical Specifications of Shure 55SH Series II Microphone
| Microphone | Shure 55SH Series II |
| Type | Dynamic |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz to 15kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Output Impedance | 150 ohms |
| Sensitivity | -58.0 dBV/Pa |
| Max SPL | 94dB SPL |
| Weight | 0.624 kg |
| Connectivity | XLR |
| Buy On | Check on Amazon |
Pros and Cons of Shure 55SH Series II Microphone
Here are some pros and cons of the Shure 55SH microphone that I have found in the microphone.
Shure Super 55
Shure Super 55 is another retro-style microphone by the Unidyne Shure series as the Deluxe Vocal Microphone.
- Iconic chrome-plated design with vibrant blue color additions
- Tailored frequency response for natural vocals and speech
- High gain-before-feedback and excellent off-axis rejection
- Shock-mounted cartridge minimizes handling noise and ensures quiet operation
- Rugged die cast casing for reliability under rigorous conditions
Shure Super 55 is dominated by the blue inbuilt pop filter that offers it an attractive bluish look. It does have that classic retro look similar to the Shure SH Series II, but the blue shades make it more attractive.
Shure Super 55 does have the super-cardioid polar pickup pattern which captures the sound in a very narrow front range to capture the sound more efficiently. That makes the noise cancellation of this microphone much better.
Shure Super 55 does not have any switches on the mic. The microphone looks very clean and classical as well.
Super 55 mic does have XLR connectivity and does not require a phantom power supply to use the microphone. It has a capsule similar to the Shure beta 58.
Shure Super 55 boosts the sound while capturing in the mid-range which makes it a bit louder. It does have very low handling noise compared to the Shure 55SH microphone.
Shure Super 55 does have a frequency response of 40Hz to 17,000Hz and a max SPL of 94dB SPL.
If you prefer a narrow sound field and more details in your vocals, the Shure Super 55 is the best option.
Features of Shure Super 55 Microphone
- Supercardioid polar pattern
- Tailored frequency response
- Detailed sound capturing
- Natural sound quality
- Metal construction
- Shock-mounted cartridge
- Easy angeling
- Original retro look
Technical Specifications of Shure Super 55 Microphone
| Microphone | Shure Super 55 |
| Type | Dynamic |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz to 17kHz |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid |
| Output Impedance | 150 ohms |
| Connectivity | XLR |
| Sensitivity | -53.0 dBV/Pa |
| Max SPL | 94dB SPL |
| Weight | 0.656 kg |
| Buy Now | Check on Amazon |
Pros and Cons of Shure Super 55 Microphone
Similarities in Shure 55SH and Shure Super 55 Microphone
Both mics share more similarities than they do extreme differences. So let’s see the similarities in both the mics before comparing them side by side.
Here are the following things that you will get in both the mics:
- Identical retro design
- Dynamic microphone
- Don’t need a phantom power supply
- XLR connectivity
- Brushed metal finishing
- Easy to angling the mic
- Comes with the stand
You can also check out: Shure WH20XLR Microphone Review (2024)
Shure 55SH vs Super 55
Let’s compare both the iconic microphones one to one based on design, performance, features, specifications, pricing, etc.
The design of both microphones is almost identical. There’s only a slight difference in the capsule color of Super 55, which gives the charming blue look to the mic. That’s the reason why Super 55 stands out in retro mic categories as well.
As a result, Shure Super 55 is a winner in the design of the microphone.
Microphone built quality is quite similar in both the mics as the metal construction. Both the mics are best when it comes to the durability of the microphone.
Various factors play a role in determining the quality of the mic, including the fact that a Shure 55SH mic is a cardioid polar pattern and a Shure Super 55 mic is a super-cardioid polar pattern.
Shure 55SH mic is ideal for recording bit wider recordings such as podcasts, interviews, streaming, YouTube videos, etc. While the Super 55 mic is ideal for more detailed vocals, voiceovers, etc.
That sets you for your own option. If you want a bit wider capturing then Shure 55SH is for you and if you want narrow and detailed capturing then Super 55 is best for you.
Let’s talk about the pricing.
While Super 55 has a much higher price than the Shure 55SH II microphone, that makes the jump from the budget-friendly range to the middle price range. But that higher price is worth it when you get super-cardioid pickup.
A Shure 55SH provides an on/off switch that is missing from the Shure Super 55 microphone. This alone does not make the Shure 55SH II an advantage due to the fact that many people prefer no switch on mics due to accidental pressing of a switch.
Conclusion:
While both microphones are the classic originals that are dominating the market, there are a lot of similarities between the two. There are a few extra features in Shure’s Super 55 that will cost you an extra bit more than the Shure 55SH.
Following is the conclusion to this review.
Shure's Super 55 mic is a good choice if you need a mic with more clarity and details (voiceovers, etc.) since it utilizes a super-cardioid pickup pattern. When it comes to choosing a microphone for interviews, YouTube videos, etc., the Shure 55SH Series II has a wide range of flexibility and can be used by anyone.
Do you still have anything running in your mind? Please let me know in the comments below. I will revert you back. Till then, check out some of our other best articles:
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