AudioChainsDB

ShureSM86

microphone

New retail price (MSRP)

$189

Used market: $145*

Check price at ThomannManufacturer datasheet

Specifications

5 of 8 values have a recorded source
Connectors
XLR 3-Pin Male·
Built-in converter
no·
Transducer
Condenser Electret✓
Sensitivity
-50✓
Output impedance
150✓
Phantom power required
yes✓
Connection
XLR-Only✓
Indexable Locales
·

Expert Audio Engineering Commentary

Tonal profile

Handheld cardioid condenser for stage vocals, with a three-stage pop filter and a shock-mounted cartridge.

Gain staging

-50 dBV/Pa sits 9 dB above an SM7B and 16 dB below an AT4040 - handheld condensers live between the two families, and this is usually the cheapest way off a hungry dynamic without moving to a studio microphone. Phantom power is the actual decision, not the level: an SM58 works into a passive mixer, an SM86 does not work there at all.

* Estimated with the depreciation fallback (~77% retained value).