All user reviews of 4/5 for the Behringer XM8500

The Behringer Ultravoice XM8500 dynamic microphone is the perfect addition to anyones gear arsenal. I will admit, you aren't going to use this mic for vocals in the studio. Don't let that discourage you from buying one, this is a handy mic to have around. Ya I'd mic up a guitar amp with one of these, I've done it in the past and it sounded just fine, but it's not going to capture much vibrance in the high end. Works great live where an SM58 may pick up lots of noise. It's a great talkback mic for the studio, great DJ mic (no on/off switch though). At the end of the day you can find it on the internet for $20. Go out for dinner - vs - have a mic forever. And for $20 you might as well get 2 (true story, happened to me).

Specs:
-Wide frequency response
-Common noise bearing frequencies reduced for minimal feedback on stage
-50Hz - 15 kHz response
-Builtin shock mount system
-High balanced output
-Unidirectional cardioid
-Sensitivity -70dB
-Low IMP 250Ω
-XLR
-Builtin round wind/pop screen filter
-Mic clip
-Hard shell carrying case
-Strong design
-3 year warranty
-Black
-6.5"X2"
-.65lbs
-Made by Behringer Germany

OVERALL OPINION

What I liked most about it had to be the tailored frequency reduction to help out in situations where there is a lot of noise. What I mean by that string of words is the XM8500 will output less feedback than the SM58. Lets not beat around the bush, this is a copy of the SM58. sM58 xM8500. They also look almost identical, minus the black grill for the 8500. Behringer gets a lot of hate for "stealing" other companies patents/designs, but Behringer also makes a lot of affordable gear for the everyday person. Behringer helps people like me (and many of you) buy enough gear to meet my needs without having to take out a loan or go broke.

Sound quality-wise it's not the vocal mic for a studio recording. Yes you CAN do it, but if you have virtually any $100+ mic use that instead. I mainly say this because the Ultravoice only takes in up to 15kHz (human range is 20kHz max). In other words, if you use this on a beautiful grand piano in a brilliant hall, you aren't going to be happy with the results. The reason for this 15kHz max is that that's where a lot of feedback effects the average live vocal mic. Behringer has also dipped down other frequencies surrounding 15kHz in effort to help reduce any other noise.

Value for price, awesome. I got mine 2 for $40 used, but this was a couple years back. Now they are about $20 each new online. You probably can't even buy this in parts that cheap. It's in my top 5 for best value for price of gear ever.

I didn't try out other models before this one, I had used others in the past though so I had a benchmark for what I wanted. Knowing what I know now, yes absolutely I might even buy another 2 someday. Put it in your audio engineer "go-bag", yes the case is bulky but you can always find another.

Pros:
-Less feedback in live situations
-Heavy duty
-Versatile
-Looks like a SM58

Cons:
-15kHz frequency limit
-Not good for studio vocals

The XM8500 is a dynamic vocal microphone that made itself popular when it first came out because of the price. Behringer released this microphone for a really low price and people went crazy over it. It is great with rejecting feedback and cutting out the background noise. The sound is very clean and warm; the mid range frequencies are where all of the action is because they are very smooth and you can tell that instantly. It is very similar to the SM58 but the difference is the price. This microphone only cost about 30 bucks when it came out and I remember getting two of them right away. You can use this microphone on instruments or as a live microphone and I have used it as both and it sounds great.

OVERALL OPINION

Using it on instruments is great if you are using a brighter instrument like an alto sax, it will give you a fluid like sound that sounds very smooth while getting rid of other sounds that may be going on around you. For a live microphone you need those attributes in order for the mic to function properly. On vocals it sounds just as good live, but in a recording session do not use this microphone because the quality is not as good and you will really have to get in there and do some EQ work on your tracks.
The frequency response is 50 Hz to 15 kHz giving it all of the range needed for instruments and vocals live. This is a very common microphone as far as specs go, but at this price you almost have to purchase a couple of them. I recommend getting this if you are into performing at smaller venues, or it would even be a great practice microphone for your home set up.

The XM8500 is a dynamic mic for vocals and the sound ... Finally, it should not be too much to ask, considering the price. But it fills a very good job for amateurs of micro, not asking too much nor too little of their microphones.

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it?
Bought last September, it'll take a year. And I'm really not disappointed! I use a Sennheiser E840 in addition, plus some other Sennheiser much older!

What is so special that you love the most, least?
The most:
-The price / quality ratio. For 18 euros, it was a micro versatile: he took singing, flute, guitar, and I have not tried many other instruments ...
-The grip is good, the microphone is heavy and holds well in hand.
Cons:
-The bass is perhaps a little too present ... But all is correct to the console.
-It is sensitive to feedback ... Be careful. (With my Sennheiser, you have to tickle it to hang).

Did you tried many other models before buying it?
What I had on hand. A Sennheiser Profisound, K3N, E840. But nothing in this price range ... So I can not compare it with other "low end", but he's doing really well against his housemates: it does not blow (yet) but has an easy hook to feedback.

How would you rate the quality / price?
As I said above, the price / quality ratio is very good for the entry level.

With experience, you do again this choice?
Of course it does on a tight budget. Otherwise, I will cut to the most reputable brands like Sennheiser (again and again!) Or Shure for the small stage ...

I purchased two of these mics at a local music store here in Canada for $34 each (Can).

These mics for the price are amazing - believe it or not, they come with a carrying case as well! The sound is comparible to a Shure SM58, (I've owned a few) but you can buy three or four of these for the same amount of money! (I don't know how they do it).

I can't honestly say there is anything I don't really like. Usually I'm not into Behringer products too much, but these mics are a bargain. I just bought them two weeks ago, so maybe it's a little early to say - but so far so good.

The quality and construction seems rock solid, plus as I mentioned already, a carrying case is included.

If you are on a budget and looking for low cost vocal mics for a practice space, etc, I would highly recommend this model.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Cardioid dynamic microphone, multi-use copy of the SM-58 (at least in look)
Nothing to say good momentum, good heat, good quality sound, solid trs, good resistant to feedback.

I bought this microphone to test what could give a copy of SM-58 30 Euros (in its box mattress if you like!) Trs good surprise for comparing the micro to SM58 (cts from each other, even rglages, under "live") I can assure you that nothing has no point to 4 times more expensive to obtain the Shure.

For the record, it's a pet unless prcis ... but for 30 euros !!!!!!!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years in home studio with microphones cents more expensive. It does not meet good Plit Shure, AKG and other Sehnneisser. Report qualitprix for this type of micro unbeatable!

I RPET for live conditions with a chain of quality middle (small entry-level console, sound amplifier or entry-level keyboard), hard to tell the diffrence with a SM58. Put as much of it is snobbery and have fun.

Honntement, if you need more dynamic mics (especially if it is to connect the table top prizes mix) then buy 3 or 4 of these mics instead of a SM-58. You do not regrettrez.

When you have too much tune or to start a group. Better this than the first microphone shure.
With the money you save, buy something other than a Yellow Cable.

(A Shure SM58 is better? Probably yes, in a preamp 2000 euros, not in a mixer 200 euros)

Exact copy of the look in sm58
component level have to disassemble one, nothing good to say it's Submitted Mount foam, clean welds, and many cell ATACHE ....
it's own

OVERALL OPINION

Well I can hear the sound technicians collgues spit on me lol!
but I did not have the budget for the shure that when you want, I took a fleet of three XM8500 and coupled pramp good, and good food, especially good rglages c is cool
parcqu'il have to say something, shure it's better and more forgiving of errors rglages, and placement. with the XM8500 should take the time to place it, make rglages own .... too many people take the mic like a Shure larache a password at Behr NO!
I strongly deprecated parcontre studio, his breath is too large, and the signal and thus treat hard in the studio, but live it's really recommend (good one is when sm58 mm over the foot lol)! in But for beginners as I sound far more than the council that the 58 (because the microphone does not forgive any mistakes)
never use to scratch especially in disto !!!!!
price level change anything
I would do really choice

- Cardioid microphone for vocals (can quickly be used in sound recording is suitable ca)

OVERALL OPINION

I useful for almost one month
It is relatively neutral certe is not a sm58 but good enough to make it a lot of things without breaking the bank
I took something different:
-Voices (suitable)
-Catches of bass guitar sounds (better now for the low a bit bland for the guitar electric)
-The sound effects (it's not bad I took sopns water lighter stuff like that car and it was not bad if used with stand)

His big pitfalls of is that the sound is picked up everywhere and that's just a strong hand to ask disappointed create noise so you must use it at all costs in a quiet room on one foot without moving .. . and this is one is succeptible to question its use live ...
This is my first micro I trovue for € 30 with stand and cable on thomann very suitable certe I'll have to buy a mieu soon but I needed a microphone very quickly so I ordered ca I honestly regret it even if it is not of great quality.

Very nice already, it is entirely black / entracite iron (heavy)
He inspires confidence, however I took a look under the hood welded c very well thank you Chinese slave children welder

bah hop characteristic vocal microphone

OVERALL OPINION

So I the User for the song and it is very good anyway I do not live in my musiquue and tou can not c like someone in the coffee or I play is going to do "he waa a lack of presence in the grave medium of the frequency spectrum Bienal c 23498Hz obvious "(I told you the reassurance schmilfbrouf) finally if you follow me ...
then I transplant to the User for my delta blues record I find it very well! m'enfin ca me some shit to buy a very expensive microphone that's great for the price I'm really surprised, the base I had not planned to transplanted with my amp but finally so well ...

absolutely brilliant for the money he "deserves" easily double or triple its price in short I am filled

mycro dynamic blah blah blah ... Remotely resembling the SM58. XLR connector, metal body strong enough. All delivered with forceps in a housing plastoc. Nothing breathtaking or the revolutionary. What a micro ...

OVERALL OPINION

Purchased two weeks ago to ensure the backings in a live, I had tried in 5 minutes in a store PA. Not too sensitive to handling noise. Bass a little invasive but nothing solved. Good resistance to fouling. Well it''s not an SM58 and it has not the clarity of an AKG D330. But compare what is comparable. For € 25 it is not stolen. I'm thinking back to a transplant a guitar amp. In summary a good mic for live ('m more skeptical weeping for recording), the little that goes beyond the stage of "the Behringer is crap."

*Microphones are very subjective. Some microphones that work for some brilliantly may be disastrous on others. It is therefore important to understand the context in which this review is written and take it with a grain of salt, like all reviews on microphones should be treated.*

Now. I am first and foremost a live performer. Equipment is a fairly new game with me, but I definitely know what I like to sing into. I have become a bit of a gearhead, but I think that I should stake this review on how I felt and sounded in a performance rather than off a frequency chart and a set of numbers.

This microphone is cheap. In fact, it's less than 1/3 the price on the standard SM58. Behringer released this microphone to go up against it. Does it stack up? Well...yes. It does. But it's not an SM58 at all; it's different in a few key places:

It's much more midrange-sounding than the SM58. It seems a nice touch, but it does make it much more honky and it certainly makes it much more susceptible to *ahem...the effects of the proximity effect.

The space of this microphone is almost non-existent. The treble response of this microphone is not something that you'd buy it for. This microphone sounds BIG, in power, but not big in size, so it is more suited to the vocalist who can create a natural space with his or her voice.

OVERALL OPINION

It's NOT an SM58, but believe it or not, there would be times to choose it over the venerable standard. I personally need a more trebly, hot, and airy microphone because I'm a power-oriented baritone, but I would not hesitate to hand this to an overly wispy singer.

The truth is though, the SM58 will probably always work. There are a few things that the XM8500 is better on, but there are some things it is terrible on. The SM58 may not excel on anything particularly, but it is always usable.

Think about the XM8500 as an SM58 will a little bit of dulling. It's more forgiving, but not always more flattering. For 1/3 of the price though, it can't hurt to give it a shot! It may be the one, who knows...