SGM-2X vs. Audio-Technica AT835b at DVinfo.net

Paul Reichelt · January 17th, 2006, 10:45 AM

Hey Guys,

I'll be purchasing a New Microphone within the next week for a production in February, so if you could help me choose between these two microphones that would be awesome :).

This summer I'll be picking up a more professional microphone in the $400-$600 range most likely, so I'll be keeping this microphone purchase at $250 or less. It seems that the SGM-2X and Audio-Technica AT835b are two of the Topdogs in this price range for Shotgun microphones, so they are the two I am most closely looking at.

I checked the DVInfo comparison and at the time they gave solid marks to both microphones, but stated that the SGM-2X at $249.99 was a great buy for Bargain hunters (Audio-Technica AT835b was $239.95 at the time).

Both microphones will most likely be Camera-Mounted or Boom-Mounted at times, and their will be a fix of indoor filming scenes and outdoor scenes. The main thing is the Clarity of the sound coming through, and how well the microphone picks up dialogue.

Right now the Audio-Technica AT835b is still at $249.95, but the SGM-2X has falled $40 to $209.95, they both seem like good buys but the SGM-2X seems like a better deal at the moment. But definitely looking for input.

Thanks,
Paul

David Ennis · January 17th, 2006, 04:37 PM

Where did you say you saw this comparison???

I don't believe I've ever seen anyone in this forurm suggest that any Azden was in the same league with a comparably priced A-T.

Fresnel Phan · January 17th, 2006, 08:37 PM

The exact line he's quoting, that the Azden is a bargain hunter's dream is taken from a LAFCP review. Here it is: http://www.lafcpug.org/review_shotgun_mic.html

I own both and the AT835B is definitely the superior mic in sound quality and build quality. However, I have to keep the Azden around because MA-100 doesn't have phantom. :(

I think the Azden is a decent mic and would be a competitive solution if it was priced around $180 or so.

Paul Reichelt · January 17th, 2006, 08:41 PM

Oops yep just noticed that, someone had LINKED from DVinfo.net :P

I thought the AT835B might be a better microphone, but the review seemed to praise/dispel all 3 Microphones, nice to hear a concensus about it :)

Now I'll aim at getting the AT835B at $240-$250 or so.

Thanks :)

Don Palomaki · January 18th, 2006, 05:21 AM

Thought the AT835b can operate off a AA battery, although phantom power gives more headrom.

Check out the AT897 as well, slightly better specs and a bit shorter.

The AT mics apper to have better signal to noise and headroom than the Azden mics, and probably will work better with the MA-100/200/300 due to a somewhat better impedance match.

Paul Reichelt · January 20th, 2006, 05:02 PM

Okay guys thanks for the help, I went ahead and purchased the AT835B (Got it for about $150 Used), and once I get a mount, cant wait to try it out :)

Don Palomaki · January 21st, 2006, 06:36 AM

Let us know how you like it.

Andrew Todd · January 21st, 2006, 09:26 AM

the AT835b is only phantomed powered right? so id have to give up on my ma100 and purchase a beachtek dxa-6? is there another solution like a seperate phantom power unit?

Andrew Todd · January 21st, 2006, 09:30 AM

i just read it battery powered too.. any difference in performance?

Don Palomaki · January 22nd, 2006, 07:31 AM

The main difference is battery power provides less head room (the maximum sound level it can accept before clipping) and correspondingly less dynamic range. See the specs at the AT website: http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wi...519/index.html

January 17th, 2006, 10:45 AM	#1
Paul Reichelt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 36	SGM-2X vs. Audio-Technica AT835b Hey Guys, I'll be purchasing a New Microphone within the next week for a production in February, so if you could help me choose between these two microphones that would be awesome :). This summer I'll be picking up a more professional microphone in the $400-$600 range most likely, so I'll be keeping this microphone purchase at $250 or less. It seems that the SGM-2X and Audio-Technica AT835b are two of the Topdogs in this price range for Shotgun microphones, so they are the two I am most closely looking at. I checked the DVInfo comparison and at the time they gave solid marks to both microphones, but stated that the SGM-2X at $249.99 was a great buy for Bargain hunters (Audio-Technica AT835b was $239.95 at the time). Both microphones will most likely be Camera-Mounted or Boom-Mounted at times, and their will be a fix of indoor filming scenes and outdoor scenes. The main thing is the Clarity of the sound coming through, and how well the microphone picks up dialogue. Right now the Audio-Technica AT835b is still at $249.95, but the SGM-2X has falled $40 to $209.95, they both seem like good buys but the SGM-2X seems like a better deal at the moment. But definitely looking for input. Thanks, Paul

January 17th, 2006, 04:37 PM	#2
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Where did you say you saw this comparison??? I don't believe I've ever seen anyone in this forurm suggest that any Azden was in the same league with a comparably priced A-T. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

January 18th, 2006, 05:21 AM	#5
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Thought the AT835b can operate off a AA battery, although phantom power gives more headrom. Check out the AT897 as well, slightly better specs and a bit shorter. The AT mics apper to have better signal to noise and headroom than the Azden mics, and probably will work better with the MA-100/200/300 due to a somewhat better impedance match. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 21st, 2006, 06:36 AM	#7
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Let us know how you like it. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

January 21st, 2006, 09:26 AM	#8
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	the AT835b is only phantomed powered right? so id have to give up on my ma100 and purchase a beachtek dxa-6? is there another solution like a seperate phantom power unit? __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi

January 17th, 2006, 08:37 PM	#3
Fresnel Phan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 29	The exact line he's quoting, that the Azden is a bargain hunter's dream is taken from a LAFCP review. Here it is: http://www.lafcpug.org/review_shotgun_mic.html I own both and the AT835B is definitely the superior mic in sound quality and build quality. However, I have to keep the Azden around because MA-100 doesn't have phantom. :( I think the Azden is a decent mic and would be a competitive solution if it was priced around $180 or so.

January 17th, 2006, 08:41 PM	#4
Paul Reichelt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 36	Oops yep just noticed that, someone had LINKED from DVinfo.net :P I thought the AT835B might be a better microphone, but the review seemed to praise/dispel all 3 Microphones, nice to hear a concensus about it :) Now I'll aim at getting the AT835B at $240-$250 or so. Thanks :)

January 20th, 2006, 05:02 PM	#6
Paul Reichelt Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 36	Okay guys thanks for the help, I went ahead and purchased the AT835B (Got it for about $150 Used), and once I get a mount, cant wait to try it out :)

January 21st, 2006, 09:30 AM	#9
Andrew Todd Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Saint John, CANADA Posts: 633	i just read it battery powered too.. any difference in performance? __________________ video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503 photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi

January 22nd, 2006, 07:31 AM	#10
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	The main difference is battery power provides less head room (the maximum sound level it can accept before clipping) and correspondingly less dynamic range. See the specs at the AT website: http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wi...519/index.html __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com