How to check for a fake Shure SM7B? My step-by-step buying guide for a used Shure SM7B microphone...
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- Опубликовано: 7 окт 2024
- If you're in the market for a used Shure SM7B, you need to be careful with all the fake microphones in the market.
I've checked a few different videos on RUclips and wanted to make my own video which combines all the various nuggets of information I have picked up through my research.
Thanks for the video, very helpful. I just bought two fake SM7B's from Ebay. I went through the steps in your video. I was replacing two units that were flooded in Hurricane Ian, so I was tempted buy the price on Ebay. It turns out they are fake! I did not realize they were fake until I used them on a podcast next to two real ones. I had tested them on a stand when I received them and they sounded good. The atrocious handling noise during recording was what made me look into it further. During the recording, if you so much as rubbed the desk you could hear it through the mic. Also the paint on the fakes that I bought is different, much shinier, almost glossy black. The audio cartridges under the wire guard was not straight in either unit, they were almost touching the wire guard/pop filter. Other things that I noticed: the rubber grommets were loose, the wire was longer than the originals, the colors of the internal wiring was incorrect. The back plate was painted on the back and sides (should be bare metal on the sides) The packaging looked good but the bags were zip locked (not correct), the box was shrink wrapped (not normal). I have asked for a refund from Ebay, waiting for a response
I hope you get your refund! EBay usually favours the buyer, but keep me posted on how that goes… I got burned with MV7’s, the cheaper Shure mics… but I did cash payment via Facebook marketplace so no fixing that issue… but Tbf, they were still so cheap and I used them for 2yrs without realising I’m ok to let it go… but still figured I’d share to avoid others making the same mistakes as I did… link me to your podcast once you’re all setup and running with it
Some other things to look out for:
The yokes thumbscrews have brass bushings inside protecting the threading.
The xlr port if you look inside the plug actually says shure inside. As well as the top of the xlr port being rounded with no abrubt changes in angle. Also with the xlr port if it's difficult to plug in and unplug the xlr cable its probably fake.
Thanks for the additional checks! I forgot to mention XLR Port stiffness… I didn’t know about the Shure inside the port being something to look out for… I will take note of that one for next time… 👍
I have a shure sm7b that im debating on buying on ebay. This video is super helpful definitely going to be going through this checklist if I end up buying it.
Glad to hear it… If you do buy from eBay, I would make note of the listing images to check if they differ to what you received and likewise, I would record my unboxing incase you ever need to provide evidence to eBay… I have viewed ones from fb marketplace in person where they differed from photo to real life, so I would be very cautious of eBay listings…
Good luck with your search and let me know if you’re successful!
Are you sure that the trademark logo is a marker of a counterfeit across all generations? I suspect the counterfeiters based this against an older design or different market, hence why it exists. The reason I ask is that I have a SM7b that I am unsure about. It passes every checkbox apart from the trademark symbol and the serial code, presenting as a Chinese greymarket unit. I haven't been able to test it as the preamp that came with it is a knock off and introduces a lot of noise. However, the wires, the backing plate, the counter-sunk screws, the length and flex of the cable, the grommets, the dome of the XLR plug, the height of the capsule, the bushings and the positioning nuts ability to hold tension all seem to check out. It also lacks the German misspelling too.
Thanks for making a comprehensive video, this is one of the better ones out there. I think an impedance test of the capsule using a LCR meter might be the next step.
Thank you - the trademark logo is present on older mics which is a detail I forgot to mention. A lot of the newer mics have flooded the market though, and most people would want a newer mic anyway.
I’m still a novice with mics and audio, but I will have to note down what an impedance test and LCR meter is to learn how to run those tests.
Thanks for the pointer! If you have any resources on how I could run that test, let me know
I bought one on AliExpress and don't have those differences or issues. I had mine modded with the Trace Audio Anser mod that adds 48v of phantom power. Basically turns into a SM7DB.
I’ve never bought anything from Ali Express but if I’m not mistaken you can have different sellers on that platform similar to Amazon? But I also suspect Grey Market mics are also something to consider… so you may have a genuine mic, but produced with the intention to be sold in another country so no warranty cover etc… that may not affect or bother you though, especially for the cost savings I’m sure you had…
How much did your mod cost?
@@leo_hoang $129
Do you mind if you can send the link to the one you bought on AliExpress?
Great video, thank you for the insights!
Good luck on finding a genuine SM7B!
people never do mic checks because they know that the outside it looks different but the mic sound is little to no difference.. clones will be clones but ill happily get a clone just for my voice to be compressed on discord
Tbf, when I discovered my MV7 was fake, I was even open to a fake Shure SM7B for the look also… but learned how to check for fakes and when you know how to find the genuine ones, you can find some good deals…
Thanks man
If you found my video because you’re on the hunt for one yourself… good luck!
Thomann is the way to go
I have ordered a special edition black sm58 from them…
Bought one on ebay, grommets fell out before I opened the box, the instructions had typos and spaces, eg t alk show. alluminium base not brass and plastic thumb turns, wire was too long and the switches didn't make a difference. The seller was adament it's real, I thought I was buying a used one for £100 but a new unopened box arrived, i've used the mic long enough to know it feels wrong. The one I got was a great knockoff but becuase i've used the mic for years I knew just by holding it. Also my wiring was all wrong and it uses a thicker gauge cable and was clipping while recording in 32bit float while talking with a slightly loud voice, not even shouting. The foam was not the right shape and was much thinner than the original.
Sorry to hear you got burned with a fake… I see a lot of them on Facebook marketplace still, it’s crazy how many fakes there are floating about…
@@leo_hoang I had no idea there were fakes. I’m not bothered as I’ve got eBay to protect me. I see you in London. Maybe we can collab on some vids
Sounds good mate… if you have any ideas give me a shout