Condenser Microphone Comparison (Sennheiser Profile & MK4, RODE XCM-50, Lewitt LCT-240 & 440, BOYA)
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- Опубликовано: 4 авг 2024
- In this video I review and compare 6 different XLR and USB condenser microphones, including the Lewitt LCT-240 PRO, Lewitt LCT-440 PURE, Sennheiser MK4, Sennheiser Profile, RODE XCM-50, and BOYA BY-M1000.
Each condenser microphone has unique features like low cut and mid-presence boost filters, multiple pickup patterns, or onboard EQ and compression.
I share what accessories are included with each microphone, and include both male and female vocal audio samples so you can compare these mics without any bias.
Leave a comment and let me know which was your favorite and least favorite, and whether any of these condenser microphones surprised you.
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== LINKS ==
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Lewitt LCT-240 PRO (Black) - geni.us/lewittlct240pro
Lewitt LCT-240 PRO (White) - geni.us/lewittlct240prowhite
Lewitt LCT-440 PURE - geni.us/lewittlct440pure
Sennheiser MK4 - geni.us/sennheisermk4
Sennheiser Profile - geni.us/sennheiserprofilemic
Sennheiser Profile Streaming Kit - geni.us/sennheiserprofilekit
RODE XCM-50 - geni.us/rodexcm50
BOYA BY-M1000 - geni.us/boyabym1000
RODE PSA1+ Boom Arm - geni.us/rodepsa1plus
Dynamic Microphone Comparison: Part 1 - • Dynamic Microphone Com...
Shotgun Microphone Comparison: Part 1 - • 7 Shotgun Microphones ...
Shotgun Microphone Comparison: Part 2 - • Shotgun Microphone Aud...
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== TABLE OF CONTENTS ==
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0:00 - Intro
0:39 - Lewitt LCT-240 PRO & LCT-440 PURE
1:28 - Sennheiser MK4
2:02 - Sennheiser Profile
2:49 - RODE XCM-50
4:06 - BOYA BY-M1000
5:16 - Male Audio Samples
6:05 - Female Audio Samples
6:55 - Sample Audio Reveal
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== CONNECT ==
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TikTok: / nwlry
Instagram: / newlayercom 
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High quality headphones or studio monitor speakers are HIGHLY recommended for this video! Which mics were your favorite and least favorite? Did any of them surprise you?
I must have good ears for this by now. In both blind tests B, C and F stood out of the bunch. So the LCT 440 Pure, and the two Sennheisers. Thanks for the video.
No problem, thanks for commenting. Good to know you can trust your ears too :)
I have the profile, I just bought it a few days ago. It's freaking perfect for me. I love its sound and its features.
That's awesome to hear! It's a really great mic.
I actually liked the way "C" sounded, it definitely picked up some of the low end. "A" was a little TOO rich for my liking. "E" was super suprising at how well it sounded! "F" was another one that I thought had a well rounded sound.
Great video! I love these types of comparisons. Thank you.
Thanks, glad you liked it! It's so interesting to see your favorites because they are all so different from each other!
What software did you use to tune your voice? And thank you so mich for the video, I like the way you presented it. I picked up the sennheiser profile because the knobs are a mist for me.
I did a video on basic audio processing to make any mic sound better here: ruclips.net/video/-EBbhV1YBDg/видео.html
Nowadays I have my RODE ProCaster plugged into my RODECaster Pro II, which does all of that internally before it every hits my computer, so it saves me a bunch of time. It's in my home studio tour here: ruclips.net/video/eYccZyARZuA/видео.html
@@NewLayer thanks for the reply!
What is your opinion on xcm50 vs nt usb + mic. I need a usb, for singing, can not decide what usb mic would be a better choice. Thank you.
For singing, I would 100% go with the NT USB+. Here's my quick video on it here: ruclips.net/user/shorts3V1GAmkgZSQ
It sounds more natural, and since you don't need all the streaming/multitrack features, I think you'd be happy with it. It's still my personal go-to USB-C mic!
E and F was my favorites. I would like a review of the Oktava MK-012-01 with hybercardioid :-)
I have a small pencil mic collection for a comparison video sometime! I've been trying to get my hands on the MK-012-01 forever, so hopefully I can make that happen for you :)
I chose B & E and was suprised to see the same brand at the end. I'm listening through a pair of Rockit 6 monitors & a Yamaha sub, along with a side band through a Sony Home theater setup. I'm going to look more into the Lewitt products now even though I found a great deal on a Sennheiser MK4. Prob end up with a pair,
The more mics the merrier, I only have like 50 at this point, haha.
Lewitt is releasing something new this coming week, so DEFINITELY keep an eye out for that, I'll be doing a video on it!
i’ve ordered a Lewitt LCT440 but its been stuck in shipping indefinitely… should i pick up a ready stock Sennheiser MK4 instead or is the Lewitt worth the wait??
That's a bummer! That's too hard to answer, because both are awesome. It's more subjective to which one you like more, but if you know you'll have shipping issues, then going with the Sennheiser will not be a downgrade or anything.
Usecase question. Can you toggle the FX/DSP in XCM-50 when connected to a phone via the Rode App? Thank you!
Yes, all the processing is done within the hardware of the mic, so it's not dependent on a computer for that stuff!
@@NewLayer Thanks! I have heard somewhere that the settings in the mic are stored within the mic, but only the Unify software on the PC can activate the Aphex and the Reverb and the Pitch shifting.
I would appreciate if you can verify that these are doable also with a phone so I can have a more informed purchase.
My favs: B, F, E... Seems I just like the Lewitt Sound
This was my first experience with Lewitt mics, and it was definitely a good one!
I love A B and D, particularly D. Didnt expect it was a BOYA and thought it was Rode.
This is why I love blind test! :)
I have an MK$ I love that mic, also have an LCT 240 which sounds surprisingly good
You have good taste! I only keep my favorites permanently, and the MK4 is one of them. I just got a Lewitt 540 S as well :)
@@NewLayer The Mk4 is top 5 of 300 dollar microphones in terms of its tone . My next upgrade I'm looking for is from Mic Parts T47 platinum edition. I think it will be good for mid forward vocals. I have used the Behringer T47 tube mic and I've always liked that 47 style capsule. Lewitt microphones are very good and forward thinking, I like the 540 S too. Very good for it's price
I've noticed that my mk4 has a k67 capsule whilst most I have seen, have the C12 capsule. Which one does yours have?
@@kennethgithinji5631 I've never even heard of Mic Parts! I'm going to check their stuff out now.
And what?! Mine is the C12 capsule, that's crazy. You'd think that difference would be cause enough to name it as a totally different mic, weird! I wonder when that change was made, I can't find any information on it at all.
Which mic is best for Vocal recording se dmc3 or lewitt 240 pro ?
I've never used the SE Electronics DCM3, so I couldn't say from experience. The Lewitt mics I've tried (240 PRO and 440 PURE) both sound awesome on vocals though.
Keep in mind the DCM3 is a dynamic mic, while the Lewitt mics are condenser mics. Typically condenser mics will sound more transparent/natural, but you'll need an audio interface that supports phantom power, although that's 99.99% of them.
For recording singing, a condenser would be my recommendation. For a podcast or something, I would usually say go with a dynamic mic, because they usually do better at rejecting outside sounds/etc. in live scenarios.
Hope that helps!
Gotta go with B, A sounds decent too.
Edit: Oh, wow, C is Sennheiser Profile which I didn't like! I was so close to getting this mic after other review, not sure now... That A - RodeX XCM-50 sounds super rich.
It's super interesting to see what mics surprise people, and it's kind of crazy how you can hear a single mic in a video and absolutely love it, then hear it Vs. others and like something else way more out of nowhere.
I liked A, seems a bit meaty if that makes any sense. Also C, because it handled the hisses of the "s"s better. If I would have to buy one I would go with C.
I think next time I make a mic comparison I'll put them in order from what I like best to worst or something, because it's fun to see that everyone has different preferences!
whats brand of the main mic your using?
I use the RODE ProCaster into the RODECaster Pro II audio interface. It's a match made in heaven.
C was to my ears best; listened with Audeze LCD-2 Headphones, and Topping DX3 Pro+ amp.
Nice! The Profile is a great sounding mic, regardless of XLR or USB.
I was surprised with b, e and f
Hello Sir, I want to record my written poetry professionally. Suggest me a good audio interface and microphone. But my room is not sound proof. The sound from outside comes inside our room. My total budget is $350. Which mic will be good for me dynamic and condenser? I want professional quality sound, crisp and clear voice.
Microphone i selected:
At 2035
Lewitt 240 pro
Rode Podmic
Audio Interface i selected
Audient id4
Universal Volt 1
Presonus 24c
Which setup is best for my poetry ? For crisp and clear sound
Two thoughts:
1. The audio interface is MUCH less important than the mic, so get whatever is cheapest and has the features you need, so you can spend more on the mic
2. If you're room is untreated, I would highly suggest a dynamic mic, not a condenser mic. It will block out outside sound better.
So you might check out this dynamic mic comparison video: ruclips.net/video/H0Xc15vXvqE/видео.html
The Maono PD400X in that video is surprisingly great, and I use it over other mics a lot. It also sounds really great with via USB-C as well, so you could even get away with NO audio interface, and your total cost would only be ~$130: geni.us/maonopd400x
That would also allow you to use it to record directly into your phone, which is really great for social media. AND, that means you could take it into a closet to record, which would help the reverb a LOT, as well as blocking even more outside sound.
Hope that helps.
BCEF with B and F as my top two!
Hard to vote against those! The Sennheiser MK4 (F) is my overall favorite in this lineup, with the Lewitt LCT-440 PRO (B) a close second.
Yeah, I own and reviewed the MK4. Have the LCT 540 on the way.
@@PaulMDiaz Nice! I don't think Lewitt makes a bad mic!
I liked B the best.Also E sounded nice.Turns out it is the same company.
Not surprising from a company like Sennheiser!
IMO the Sennheiser Profile is my go to for the best budget mic.
It really is a great mic, and very compact/portable too!
Even with the blind test I can't choose between 440 Pure and MK4
Two of my favorite mics for sure! Honestly, I have a hard time choosing between them, so I can't recommend one over the other, haha. The Lewitt is a small footprint, and comes with a shock mount, if that matters.
If you haven't seen my review on the Lewitt RAY, check that out. I use it for pretty much everything now: ruclips.net/video/IuZG9o0bjtQ/видео.html
D was the worst sounding one. I am surpised that how well the Sennheiser Profile sounded. I mentioned on Instagram that I haven't dialed in the Sennheiser MK4. I think it's just the flattest of them all here. Which I think sounds better. The Lewitt LCT-440 PURE was also a stand out for me. Really surprised at the Sennheiser Profile.
I was pretty surprised by the Profile too, I thought it sounded very neutral, in a good way, and good not just for a USB mic, but in general.
I REALLY liked the MK4. Personally, probably my favorite sounding mic. But I don't think there was a real obvious "loser" in this comparison.
They are all very serviceable, so whatever has the features you need at a price you can afford will do anyone just fine.
Microphone "C" sounds best to my ears. Then I found out it was the Senheiser Profile.......so I ordered one to try out 😂
Thanks for the support! I hope you like it. It's a great USB mic :)
C and E had a very nice balanced tone but F was my overall preference. F was equally balanced but I didn't hear any sibilance. A and D seemed thin while B was muddy.
The MK4 is one of my favorite condensers of all time, at least on my voice. It makes me sound a lot better than I really do, haha.
Yeah I've been eyeing the MK4 for a little while. They're made in Germany along with the Neuman, but I can't afford or justify one of them.
Favorites: B, then A. Least favorite, C. Not listening with good headphones but this is my first reaction.
It's important to listen on phones and other devices too, because if the majority of your content is viewed that way, you definitely want a mic that sounds good for your audience!
I thought the C and F samples were a cut above the rest (F being the best), and they both turned out to be Sennheisers (Profile USB & Mk4, respectively) 😆😆!!
Nice! I think the Profile is a top-tier USB mic and the MK4 is one of my personal favorite studio condensers for its price too!
@@NewLayer I have the Profile (the streaming kit, got a great deal on it) and looking at getting the Mk4 (vs. Lewitt LCT 440 Pure). Also looking at the Rode NT1 5th Gen, but despite being $50 cheaper than Mk4 in US, it's more expensive here.
@@hsjawanda You've got good taste in mics, haha. My wife is an audiobook narrator and uses the Lewitt LCT 440 PURE. The NT1 is a great mic too, the NT1 Signature Series is worth considering too. Same mic, just doesn't have the USB support that the 5th gen has, so it's even cheaper.
@@NewLayer Yes, I was considering the NT1 Signature Series as well, but everyone keeps saying this is a studio-only microphone (& the NT1 5th Gen). My primary use case is video calls (though I'm looking to produce some content as well), and my office isn't a treated room (though the acoustics are decent thanks to some curtains & a green screen cloth, which basically acts as a very wide & tall curtain). How is the background sound rejection on the Sennheiser Mk4 vs. the Lewitt LCT 440?
Of these microphones, which was your favorite? I wanted to hear your opinion too
My favorites are the Sennheiser MK4 and the Lewitt LCT 440 PURE. The others are all good, but those are my personal preference :)
I would say A is the clearest with most neutral voice, but its a little bit boring. B in more reach, bassy, but liked it. F is somewhere between.
I would chose all 3 options from them, but F is most balanced option. So, F -> B -> A, Didnt like all the others compared to them.
The MK4 might be my favorite too! It’s interesting that the RODE XCM-50 is in your list, I think it’s the most different sounding than anything compared to the MK4 and LCT-440 PURE you also liked!
@@NewLayer yeah A is most different, because it feels to flat. Like sennheiser typical headphones. So it would be easy to EQ., but its just amateur imho 😀 Without post production or any changes it would be bad, yes:(
I liked f then e then a. C would be too recessed for my voice
Edit: didn’t surprise me too much, I already recognize them by their tones
There always seems to be 1 or 2 mics in each comparison I do that surprise me, but a lot of times, they end up in the order I expect when it comes to favorites :)
my favorite is F
C and E sounded the worst out of all of them besides that were relatively good, especially A. Listening on a Bose speaker.
So interesting to hear other opinions. I think A was my least favorite personally, haha.
@@NewLayer 🤭🤭🤭
Dang! Did you buy all of these just for this??
I wish I made enough doing RUclips to be able to afford this many mics, haha! I'm given gear for review, or borrow, or buy/already have.
I have a RODE NT1000 I bought almost 20 years ago that I still use, so I'll probably include that in the Part 2 condenser mic comparison just to share its longevity if nothing else. It's very similar the Sennheiser MK4.
All mics sounded same on male voice but on female voice A and B sounded same -good, C different not sure good or bad, E sounded different F was like D don’t know good or bad, ok let’s see the results.
It's crazy how different mics sound on different speaker too. I think one benefit of a good, well-rounded mic is that they are easiest to edit, and sound the best on the widest variety of devices.
Preferred C
The Sennheiser Profile is definitely one of the most "non-USB" sounding USB mics I've used.
B & F
B, D, and F were my favorites on both voices. C really was too boxy for me, and probably my least favorite. Overall fave was F!
Aaand my most and least favorite were both Sennheiser lol!
Haha, funny how that works. Although not surprising. It's rare that I like every single mic a single brand makes, a lot has to do with matching a mic to a specific voice though.
The BOYA mic has no right to sound _that_ good for the price.
I know right?! they have a lot of great mics, some of which I'll cover in videos in the near future.
Their dynamic mic (BY-DM500) sounds amazing too. I had it in a previous video: geni.us/boyabydm500
I also REALLY like their wireless lav system for phones: geni.us/boyabyxm6k4
@@NewLayer Apparently, BOYA just launched M1000 Pro. Any chance that you'd do a review of it, and possibly do a comparison between the M1000 and M1000 Pro? Great comparison video btw.
And I'm definitely planning to buy their DM500 soon because of your dynamic mics comparison.
@@theiammike123 Interesting! I'm working on a new dynamic mic video right now, then have another condenser lineup, AND another shotgun mic lineup coming.
I'll see if I can get the M1000 pro, although, I don't see it anywhere. Do you have a link?
F n B
С, E, F
I'm always looking for reasons to use the MK4, one of my favorite mics of all time.
@@NewLayer your review really helped, I might buy Sennheiser Profile
C
Blind Test: (male/female)
A - Yes/Yes
B - Yes/Yes
C - No/Yes
D - No/Yes
E - No/Yes
F - No/Yes
Seems like A or B is a no brainer for you then, assuming you record a variety of voices 😁