Is The Shure MV7 Worth The Money? – Shure MV7 Review

For those of you looking into whether the Shure MV7 is worth it, whether you are a knowledgeable mic collector and enthusiast, or just a gamer who wants to sound better in Discord, we all are on the search for better and improved audio equipment. In the past, in most cases, this means spending hundreds and thousands of dollars in order to get a solid microphone, although, in recent years, you don’t need to spend all that much. Although spending thousands on a microphone will nearly always guarantee top-tier audio, you don’t always need to spend that much money to get solid performance.

Shure microphones have been around for a long time. Whether that involves the great instrumental mic, the SM57, the popular stage microphone, the SM58, or even the most popular streaming and podcasting microphone in history, the Shure SM7B, we can safely assume Shure is a well-known and desirable brand. There is a new product that has arrived in the Shure lineup that not only makes it easier for newcomers but always satisfies even the toughest microphone critics.

Now, aside from a microphone, if you consider yourself an “audiophile” with a good sense of a spending budget, you may be interested in our article on the best budget hi-fi amplifiers. Diving into this article, we hope to solve the question of whether to buy the Shure MV7 for beginners, gamers, streamers, audio professionals, and everyone in between. So with that being said, let’s jump into it and figure out whether the Shure MV7 is worth it or not.

What is The Shure MV7

The Shure MV7 is the younger brother to the highly praised Shure SM7B. It is a USB and XLR output dynamic microphone that is most popular in streaming and gaming communities, as well as being introduced in more podcast and studio settings. In addition to this, it comes with a packed mobile and desktop software application that further improves the overall ease of use that the microphone promotes.

The Shure MV7 was released in late 2020 not only to fill the gap of quality microphones with a lower price barrier but to also release a microphone in the Shure lineup to apply to all individuals. Although it is considered a “Podcasting” microphone, the Shure MV7 is really geared toward anyone and everyone. Whether you are a gamer who wants to sound better on Discord, or you are an avid streamer who needs that extra bump in audio fidelity, this microphone really covers all categories of use cases.

Because of the dual use of both XLR and USB outputs, the Shure MV7 is easy to use for users that are not all that tech-savvy, but not only that, the Shure MV7 has an XLR output which allows you to have further control over your microphone. Most serious users pair this with their Go XLR or with a custom mixing board to get the absolute most out of their microphone. However, the majority of users will be more than happy with the USB option.

Is The Shure MV7 a Condenser Microphone

No, the Shure MV7 is not a traditional Condenser microphone. Instead, the MV7 is a Dynamic microphone, with a standard cardioid polar pattern. This means you will get optimal noise suppression and vocal focus, as well as a pick-up pattern that rejects all other sounds that are outside of whatever is directly in front of it.

Some other budget microphone options, such as the Blue Yeti are condenser microphones. These lower-price entry microphones are not worth your money because condenser microphones are more sensitive to noise. The microphone capsule is electrically charged, as opposed to dynamic microphones, which are magnetically charged. This means that for most use cases, Dynamic microphones are better for all-around uses.

Condenser Microphones

Condenser microphones are not bad and can be very useful, they just operate differently. Oftentimes, condenser microphones are excellent microphones in a controlled environment or sound-treated studio or room. They often sound much for crisp and clear, but if in an untreated room, like a gaming setup, they are more sensitive and pick up more things, like your keyboard and mouse.

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic Microphones are used in any use case as they are better at rejecting outside noises. This is usually the recommended type of microphone for gaming setups, as it will reject the sound of your keyboard and mouse better than a condenser microphone. Generally, you want to stick to dynamic microphones in casual settings as it will give you less of an issue at blocking unwanted sounds out.

What Is The Difference Between Shure MV7 and Shure SM7B

The Shure MV7 is about half the price of a Shure SM7B, the MV7 is a bit less refined and doesn’t offer the same premium sound quality as the SM7B but, the MV7 offers a similar sound quality that rivals the Shure SM7B. The MV7 is about as close as you can get to the infamous sound of the SM7B while retaining a competitive price point. The MV7 also offers both XLR and USB connectivity, which makes it more accessible to a wider demographic. For those of you who are split and wondering whether the Shure MV7 is worth it or the SM7B is worth it, they are both tremendous mics but here are some differences to help you make a better choice.

Shure SM7B

The Shure SM7B not only uses more expensive internal components but is also a proprietary microphone that has remained virtually the same for decades. Many people don’t realize it but the SM7B was used by Micheal Jackson in his song “Thriller” and others, yet, it is also being used in thousands of podcast studios. The Shure SM7B is of higher quality and is a better-built microphone than the MV7, but the difference is minimal in the ears and eyes of the average person. Only true audio junkys can tell the difference and know the value difference.

Shure MV7

The Shure MV7 is no joke in terms of the capabilities and components used. This has got to be the best sounding and most professional microphone that you can get for the price. Not only that but it also sports both the XLR and USB connectivity, which opens it to be used by beginners and experts. In most cases, I would recommend the MV7 over the SM7B because it costs less, is easy to set up, and you do not need an additional $100 cloud lifter as you do with the SM7B.

Is The Shure MV7 Good for Gaming

Absolutely, in fact, the Shure MV7 is most likely the best microphone for gamers because of the ease of use with the USB connectivity and the incredible noise rejection. You won’t be hearing your keyboard and mouse clicks with this microphone and your sound quality will most likely be unmatched by any of your fellow gamers. This is the best-case scenario microphone that allows casual gamers and big-time streamers to get the perfect audio for their needs. Basically, if you need something for gaming, the Shure MV7 is definitely worth it.

Many gamers make the mistake of getting a cheap condenser microphone that picks up anything and everything around them. The cheap condenser microphones often pick up so much that even Discord noise suppression cannot negate their keyboard clicks. However, if you get a solid condenser microphone, like the MV7, you can plug it in and get instant excellent audio that is streamer quality. Not only that, but if you get the software, you can customize how you sound and add some plugins and processing to your microphone to make you sound even better.

The software doesn’t use much processing power at all and this allows you to use the microphone with ease. You won’t need to use power-hungry software like Banana Voicemeter to process your voice to sound acceptable. The MV7, even without the software sounds incredible. This means the MV7 is a great option for gamers. If you are a streamer, consider looking into our deep dive into the Elgato Capture Cards

Is The Shure MV7 USB

Yes, the Shure MV7 has a Micro USB to USB C connection, as well as a Micro USB to USB connection. This makes it incredibly accessible to all users and the setup process is as simple as plug and play. In addition to the USB connection, it has XLR as well which allows for more experienced and serious users to add plug it into their own setup. The MV7 is also a great and easy microphone to use with your phone and even has an app.

The use cases for this microphone are really limitless. This often works well as an on-the-go microphone as you can easily pack this away and plug it into your MacBook or laptop. In addition to this, you can also use this for more professional phone calls and voicemail recordings. The mobile app is quite substantial as well and the usability of this microphone is in its own league in terms of how many things you can use it for.

Does The Shure MV7 Need Phantom Power

No, the Shure MV7 is a dynamic microphone, which means it does not need phantom power to power the microphone. You don’t even need a cloud lifter for this microphone, as you normally do for the SM7B. This microphone is truly as simple as plugging it in and using it as is. Although you do have more options in the software and app.

A good and informational note to consider when looking for a microphone is that only condenser microphones need phantom power. Dynamic microphones do not require any power as they are magnetically charged.

Shure MV7 vs Shure MV7x

The Shure MV7x is cheaper than the MV7 and the only difference is that the MV7x only has an XLR connection and does not support USB. This will only apply and appeal to a specific type of user. These should only be bought if you do not plan on using the USB functionality and have an interface or mixer board to connect the MV7x to.

For the majority of people, you will want to dish out the extra money and get the base Shure MV7, however, you can save around $100 if you get the MV7x but you will need to have access to an interface or mixer board which usually will run you anywhere from $40-$1000+

It is safe to assume that you will be spending the money for a Shure MV7 and unless you have the equipment available to you, you won’t be interested in getting the MV7x but for those that have a mixer or interface, you can save yourself some money by getting the MV7x.

Does The Shure MV7 Need a Cloud lifter?

No, the Shure MV7 does not need a cloud lifter. It is as simple as plugging it in and using it as is. You have more than enough power with the base microphone and you won’t be gaining any noticeable benefits from using a cloud lifter.

It isn’t that you can’t use a cloud lifter, but you have a much higher threshold when using the microphone and it isn’t nearly as low in volume as the SM7B is. The bottom line is you will be fine using this microphone without a cloud lifter or clean decibel booster.

Shure MV7 Software

The Shure MV7 is extremely powerful and gives you not only easy-to-use presets, but also the ability to adjust your gain, add a compressor, EQ your voice, and more! You have as little or as much control as you want here and the UI of the software is very readable and easy to use for both beginners and experts. Keep in mind that you need to use the USB connection for the microphone in order to experience the benefits of the software.

Microphone Presets

• Dark: The Dark preset boosts the lower frequencies of your voice and adds a bit more compression to make you sound more “Podcast ESC”
• Natural: The natural setting does not change too much but makes an overall balanced EQ of your voice to enhance what already makes you sound like you.
• Bright: The bright setting is probably one that isn’t all that desirable because it boosts the harsher high end of your voice, but it may work for some.

You additionally have more options like how close you are to the mic and whether you want more computer sound or more of your own voice.

Advanced Settings

• Mic Gain: You can adjust how much gain your microphone has which is incredibly useful depending on your surroundings.
• EQ: Although it is not a parametric EQ that allows you full control, you can boost or reduce EQ frequencies to better personalize your voice.
• Limiter: The limiter is helpful if you find yourself clipping or distorting. This will put a ceiling on how loud you can get.
• Compressor: The compressor is not as comprehensive as many would like but you can increase or decrease this amount to balance your vocals out.

Overall the settings are enough for beginners and relatively advanced users and the software runs great in the background. We found no noticeable performance changes when using the software as opposed to not using it at all. You can safely assume that almost everyone will be happy with this addition.

Shure MV7 vs Blue Yeti

The Blue Yeti has been around for many years and in many people’s minds, is the best gaming microphone out there, but the Shure MV7 offers excellent audio quality while bringing new-age technology to the microphone scene. There are differences between these two microphones as well as pros and cons of them. Let us explore this discussion and hopefully come to a reasonable conclusion to help you decide on which is a better option for you.

Blue Yeti

The Blue Yeti is a popular condenser microphone that many streamers and gamers swear by. The main issue with the Blue Yeti is the sensitivity of the microphone. You can apply processing to the microphone that may eliminate some of the background noise, but the majority of the time you will be hearing every single keyboard press and mouse click. The upside of the Blue Yeti is the sound quality is crisp and clear and you have more polarity options so you can do more recording techniques with the microphone. For gamers, this most likely is not your best option because of the natural sensitivity of the microphone.

Shure MV7

The MV7 has fewer recording options as it only offers a cardioid polar pattern, but 99% of people would only need that. In addition to this, the dynamic nature of the microphone makes this microphone optimal for gamers as it will reject more outside noises and have a more prominent focus on your voice. The build quality may not be as solid as the Blue Yeti but the software features and processing makes up for that. The main issue with the MV7 is that it has a bit of a plosive nature to it so if you like being close to your mic, your P’s and B’s will be more prominent. Overall, the MV7 is a more gamer-friendly microphone.

Conclusion

The Shure MV7 is a better microphone both in audio quality and unwanted noise rejection. The Blue Yeti is a better microphone in a studio setting where there aren’t any intruding sounds but for gamers and the majority of users, the MV7 is a better microphone with more use cases, better sound capsules, and more appealing vocals tuning. You will need to spend more but you will be happy with the results as you will be dealing with fewer outside noises and an overall deeper and warmer microphone sound.

Is The Shure MV7 Worth it?

Yes, the Shure MV7 is worth it. If you are a gamer, avid discord user, voice-over artist, or an audio engineer, whatever you are this is one of the best microphones out there because of the price point and ease of use. The features it comes with are both easy to learn and comprehensive enough for even audio experts. This microphone somehow nearly matches the sound quality of the SM7B while retaining a cheaper price point and offering more use cases and versatility.