Low cost shotgun: Sennheiser MKE300 or Azden SGM-1X??? at DVinfo.net

Gustavo Godinho · February 29th, 2004, 12:31 AM

I decided to buy the Sennheiser MKE300, what, I thought, would be the best choice in the "low cost shotgun mic" category. But then I saw Azden SGM-1X. It has XLR output, what is better for long cables. Other good thing is that, different from the azden mic, the sennheiser has a 3.5 cable stucked to the body. So, if anything goes wrong with the cable, I won´t be able to change it easily.

SO...

The question is: which one should I pick? Which has the better sound quality?

THANK YOU!

Vic Owen · February 29th, 2004, 01:24 AM

You might also want to check out the AT-897. It's in the same class as the Sennheiser, but less expensive. It performs very well.

Bryan Roberts · February 29th, 2004, 01:47 AM

I have the AT-897 and it has really amazed me. I recorded a music video for my neighbors little guitar vocal duo and the quality of the leads voice and the two guitars interacting together was great. It's a little more than a $90 dollar mic but it takes you into a completely different class of mics.

Gustavo Godinho · February 29th, 2004, 07:45 AM

Are you talking about Audio-Technica AT-897?? I guess it´s not a $90 mic. Here it costs $280:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=AT-897&image.x=3&image.y=9

Are we talking about the same thing?

Vic Owen · February 29th, 2004, 08:41 AM

Yes, it matches up better with the ME66 than the MKE300. More mic, but less money than the ME66. And, MUCH better than the Azden. As Bryan mentioned, it's a big step up.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · February 29th, 2004, 08:57 AM

I'm lost....the 897 is more than the ME66, unless you get the pre for the ME. It's certainly not 90.00....
works on phantom or battery.
This mic is mentioned in at least 2 dozen threads here...you might want to read users comments on it. It's a highly regarded shotgun.

Bryan Beasleigh · February 29th, 2004, 02:51 PM

Douglas is right
the K6/ME66 is $380
The AT 897 is $280
the Azden is $150

The AT mic is a truly professional piece of gear and certainly outshines the Azden . Azden is NOT pro gear and does not have the same robust build of the Audio Technica.

I would put the MKE300 in the same league as the Azden.

I personaly like the sound of the AT over the Senn ME66. This is personal preference, the quality of the AT is a known fact though.

In a few years (or less) the Azden will be in the trash and the AT will still be holding it's value. Crude but fact.

February 29th, 2004, 12:31 AM	#1
Gustavo Godinho Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Belém - Pa - Brazil Posts: 130	Low cost shotgun: Sennheiser MKE300 or Azden SGM-1X??? I decided to buy the Sennheiser MKE300, what, I thought, would be the best choice in the "low cost shotgun mic" category. But then I saw Azden SGM-1X. It has XLR output, what is better for long cables. Other good thing is that, different from the azden mic, the sennheiser has a 3.5 cable stucked to the body. So, if anything goes wrong with the cable, I won´t be able to change it easily. SO... The question is: which one should I pick? Which has the better sound quality? THANK YOU! __________________ lml

February 29th, 2004, 01:24 AM	#2
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	You might also want to check out the AT-897. It's in the same class as the Sennheiser, but less expensive. It performs very well. __________________ -- Vic Owen --

February 29th, 2004, 07:45 AM	#4
Gustavo Godinho Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Belém - Pa - Brazil Posts: 130	Are you talking about Audio-Technica AT-897?? I guess it´s not a $90 mic. Here it costs $280: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=AT-897&image.x=3&image.y=9 Are we talking about the same thing? __________________ lml

February 29th, 2004, 08:41 AM	#5
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	Yes, it matches up better with the ME66 than the MKE300. More mic, but less money than the ME66. And, MUCH better than the Azden. As Bryan mentioned, it's a big step up. __________________ -- Vic Owen --

February 29th, 2004, 08:57 AM	#6
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	I'm lost....the 897 is more than the ME66, unless you get the pre for the ME. It's certainly not 90.00.... works on phantom or battery. This mic is mentioned in at least 2 dozen threads here...you might want to read users comments on it. It's a highly regarded shotgun. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

February 29th, 2004, 01:47 AM	#3
Bryan Roberts Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 436	I have the AT-897 and it has really amazed me. I recorded a music video for my neighbors little guitar vocal duo and the quality of the leads voice and the two guitars interacting together was great. It's a little more than a $90 dollar mic but it takes you into a completely different class of mics.

February 29th, 2004, 02:51 PM	#7
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Douglas is right the K6/ME66 is $380 The AT 897 is $280 the Azden is $150 The AT mic is a truly professional piece of gear and certainly outshines the Azden . Azden is NOT pro gear and does not have the same robust build of the Audio Technica. I would put the MKE300 in the same league as the Azden. I personaly like the sound of the AT over the Senn ME66. This is personal preference, the quality of the AT is a known fact though. In a few years (or less) the Azden will be in the trash and the AT will still be holding it's value. Crude but fact.