I had the bad luck to buy a fake Neumann KMS105. I had my previous one stolen, so I knew the mic very well. When I first sang on a venue I was terrified, larsen all the way, thin sound etc... I saw a video online how to check the differences with a real one, and mine was a fake.
@@subs4794 My suitcase was stolen in my car with my 2 MacBook, sound interface, mic etc... I went to my dealer shop in a hurry and asked him for a new Neumann and he told me that he had one at a good price that he bought from a customer who wanted to swap it for another model. So I said good, give it to me, it was the same box and everything. Since I knew the mic I didn't find it necessary to test it, and I wasn't aware of fake ones. My surprise was so big when I tried to sing in it ! I was devastated ! Fortunately I had an old spare Shure mic in my bag and did the whole show with it. The dealer wasn't aware either of this, I know the guy very well, I bought everything from him, he was scammed too. So he keeps this fake Neumann in his shop to show to customers who want cheaper Neumann. And he ordered a new one from the official distributor and now I'm a happy camper. hahaha
After a gig I noticed someone took the blue band off my SM 58 beta. The microphone stopped working about a month later, so I opened it up to repair it only to discover … no … they didn’t take the blue band, they swapped my microphone for a fake Beta Blue. Damn!
The obsession with this microphone is somewhat amusing imo. After working in TV for 20 years (and recording sound pretty much on daily basis) I can share the following - which microphone one uses is pretty low on the priority list how to get good sound. Recording in a quiet place, with walls that do not reflect the sound is what one needs. Second - be at proper distance from the microphone and (ideally) use a pop shield. After that - one can record with pretty much any microphone.
Not all microphones are alike. If you care about your end product you should research to find a microphone that best serves your voice and specific needs. Most people don't have the money to spend on an audio chain to adjust the sound of their microphone, so finding that specific microphone is important, unless you're just gaming or chatting. Microphones are tools, and like any tool they there is an array of very different microphones to choose from. Of course the room and your microphone technique will definitely affect the quality of your recordins.
Your comment is BS and I'm surprised 30 people liked it. There is a reason that most radio stations have either a Shure SM 7b or Electro Voice RE20. And it's not because stations want to spend $400 on each microphone.
@@DocFUNKist He's not spot on lol he's full of shit. The SM7B is one of the most used microphones in the radio and broadcast space for a reason. Sound treatment is important, but getting the right microphone for your needs is imperative. As a sound engineer myself, telling someone that the microphone doesn't matter is a giant load of bs. lol
Great video! I can see how it's often hard to spot a fake one given the inconsistencies. For instance. I own two SM7B's both registered with Shure by their serial numbers, so I know they are real, but get this... Both have the sticker on both sides of the collar, they also don't have the trademark R logo. And what's more interesting. One is a bit shinier than the other, and one is a darker shade of gray. The most noticeable difference between the two however which led me to believe at first that one was fake is that one of them has a pop filter that looks like the one in the fake SM7B in this video. Very interesting manufacturing inconsistencies..
I too hate fake/counterfeit products. I stopped buying stuff like microphones, memory cards, and other often faked stuff from Amazon a few years ago. Even if you ensure Amazon is the seller, there's no way to be sure the stock hasn't mingled and you won't get a fake. I hate that fake products cheat people who spend their time and money developing products and I hate that fake products mislead buyers.
Interesting!... I didn't know you can get fake stuff from a "dealer". I bought an Sennheiser MKE-600 a couple of months ago and I never could get it to sound very good so I sent it back. I've had it in the back of my mind whether or not it was a fake or not... I guess lll never know.
Buying an SM57 was the best decision I could've ever made when it comes to getting that SM7b sound (with EQ and the A2WS windscreen), whilst at the same time having a fantastic instrument microphone.
The A81WS pop filter (intended for the SM81but fits on the SM57) does a much better job than the A2WS. Highly recommended!!! Also the Wind Tech Ultimate series is a very high quality double layer filter that is well worth the extra dollars.
I was looking at SM57s and 58s earlier today. Some are obviously fakes, but with others, it's hard to tell. I'm tempted to try a 50th Anniversary Edition 58, as it seems an odd one to replicate the packaging of, and it's only slightly less expensive than a normal one from the various brick and mortar music shops here. Always tempting!
My fake SM7B never had those differences. I had mine modded with the Trace Audio Anser mod that adds 48v of phantom power. Basically turns into a SM7DB.
this make so much more sense as to why these are being sold for $200 on newegg, AND why this mic didn't live up to it's "epic standards". thanks for this very informational video! in my opinion for half the price and authentic packaging, if you're not extremely anal on the sound it's a decent buy
Upon viewing this video, I felt compelled to return my SM7b to Amazon. I suspect it may have been a counterfeit. Beforehand, I had my doubts about whether it could truly deliver the "most legendary sound" as advertised. However, upon examining your capsule, my suspicions were confirmed. The product, though listed and sold by Amazon, simply didn't seem authentic. I speculate that, perhaps due to the constraints imposed by the pandemic, Amazon's product authenticity verification process may have been compromised. In the past three years alone, I've received an alarmingly high number of counterfeit products.
Thank you for your alert, Julian! That's totally a scammy and scummy surprise. That fake one sounds scooped! BTW, Is it just me or the fake is cheating by using a modified capsule that seems to come close to the signature of an... SM58?
Many thanks for taking the time and making the effort to make us aware of these fake mics. I have had my SM7B for about 8 years now and still am loving it. Do you perhaps have an opinion on the RODE NT1 5th Gen? Thanks in advance.
Hey @JulianKrause If recording silence w/ the fake mic, then boosting the signal +24dB, you can hear a tiny voice saying "I'm not Shure, I'm not Shure…"
I was just wondering this recently and was wondering why no one was really talking about it! (I'm on the market currently for a SM7B and was browsing the used market but was growing wary because of the rise of fakes...) very interesting video! Top quality as usual.
Same here. I found one locally at an amazing price. At least from the photos posted it passes every test for being authentic here but I have to wonder why it's so cheap.
I wish I'd seen this video a LONG time ago. I bought an SM7B recently, only to watch your video and discover the worst. I tried to return it, but I'd had the product for too long to return it. I'll remember not to just go for the cheapest option next time, and do a little more research before buying. The reviews tricked me as well, they all said how happy they were with the product, making it seem legit. Guess they all got tricked too.
This is a greatly appreciated video and much needed as the fake SM7bs are really really difficult to tell apart from the real deal (until you plug it in of course). I had the misfortune of purchasing a fake from a popular website that sells used gear and there are a few other things to look out for in identifying a fake that weren't pointed out in the video. #1 is the internal wiring, the capsule to filter switch wiring it a larger gauge and very very poorly soldered verses the real deal. #2 Is the paint job on the control plate and internally, the fakes have very sloppy and less precise internal/control switch paint particularly around the screws (see 2:07). #3 I'm not sure if it was just the particular fake that I received but it had terrible EMI (think single coil guitar pickup). Very unfortunate though that if you didn't have a real SM7b in hand for comparison and had never previously hear the mic IRL it would be incredibly difficult to discern a difference. When in doubt, contact Shure directly. They were incredibly helpful in confirming the authenticity (or lack thereof) of the counterfeit I had purchased and were key in getting my money back and the seller removed from said used gear website.
True, "replicas" existing for a product pretty much kills the second-hand market (for those who know about them, at least). Which is a pity, because audio equipment is one of those things that could be almost unused but would sell at a discount, which is awesome for enthusiasts.
@@Lishtenbird spot on. And I used to support my channel by finding sm7b's and other very popular mics for a good price and then building complete setups to resell. Sadly... I can't trust the used market to continue that.
Yeah, the used market is kinda like a minefield in that regard. Would be great, if Shure had a solid way of checking for fakes. Just relying on the serial number is simply not enough.
Hi Julian. That was a fantastic video, but I still have some doubts. I'm looking for a mic solution to reduce the echo in my studio. Currently I'm using a zoom h5 with the zoom ssh6 capsule. From what I've seen and read it seems that perhaps the SM58 might be the best option to reduce echo and noise. I already got 2 fetheads thinking I would buy the SM7B, but now I don't know what to do. If you watch my last video you'll see how the sound currently is (and it is a treated small studio room with 10 sound panels). Any help / feedback would be much appretiated. Thanks!
I will be connectig the mic to the zoom h5. Also my original idea was to get a setup that would allow me to shoot a podcast with 2 mics in an untreated room.
Just buy all of your gear from Sweetwater. If you got taken by a fake whatever that means Sweetwater got taken too; and once they discover that error, they WILL make it right at no cost to you. Total purchase assurance for all of your audio production needs. 🤗
I'm pretty sure SW gets direct shipments from Shure, however... I wonder if anyone has ever purchased a genuine 7B from them and returned a fake for a refund. I would imagine that they record serial numbers by now so they don't sell an "open box" fake.
Unfortunately I bought a SM7B for 250$ price , i was very excited and thinking this is just a good deal , i was really happy but after 5 months i knew mine is fake and for the good luck I could refund it and get RODE Nt1-a , the rode is very good mice but i just want the sm7b till now cuz I wouldn’t spent all that money in mic unless its sm7b , im sad and happy .. thank god for everything
Please test new revision of motu m2/m4! There are 3 different revisions, the rev 1 was in your test, rev 2 have completely new pcb design, usb controller (NXP) and new dac (ES9026pro) and rev 3 also have new adc (ES9840) and Atmel usb controller. Rev 1 firmware is 1.xx version and both rev 2 & 3 have 2.xx. It's almost 2 years since rev 3 release and I think now all fresh stocks of motu m2/m4 is rev 3. Unfortunately I found no one detailed enough measure of rev 2/3 but there is a big difference in design and used components compared to rev 1 so I ask you to test it pls
Would be interesting to hear the difference in the internal shock absorber. The real SM7B has a real good internal shock mount. Does the fake one copy that? Doubt it as it might drive the cost. Very nice video. I bought my SM7B two months ago and I'm very happy with the results.
I have never gave much thought to if my sm7b could be fake. I don't think it is, but somebody asked me today how to spot a fake so now I'm on RUclips and wondering. I'm gonna check the serial number when i get home. But I'm 99.9% sure mine is real based on my experiences with it
Interestingly, I actually preferred the fake on guitar - that mid hump ended up being in just the right place, with the duller highs removing some of the harshmess. On bass I liked them about the same, but on voice, I definitely preferred the real one. The SM7b isn't something I'd typically reach for when micing up a guitar cab anyway, so I'm not really surprised at the fake sounding better to my ear there!
Fake one (at least one on the video) could be pain to setup compression, noise gate, EQ and adding effects. Quite often you can't really tell how big difference is, until you add compression, gate and effects like reverb thru tube amp. Really good microphone (like Shure SM7-B) shouldn't by itself sound different from original sound so much, that you are able to tell the difference without effects or amplification and such (whole point and reason why really good mics cost shit ton, is the fact they are very close to absolute neutral sound)
@@Kilzu1well said sir! It’s all in the sound. Dynamic MIC like SM7b relies heavily on eq treatment for live applications. PEQ more than often is a must. Fake ones behave horribly different in music and live setting.
Hi, Julian can you make a video on how to flatten the frequency response of rode mini nt usb? I’d say it's a good-sounding USB mic but sometimes my vocal becomes nasally
I would not have a problem with that fake! It only sounds slightly less impressive when you compare them side-by-side, with meters. I would be happy with paying the lower price.
It’s funny how all it takes is one or two RUclipsrs to then trickle down to every RUclipsr. One viral video contributed to the huge popularity of this microphone. It’s not a bad mic, but dollar for dollar you’re gonna get a much better sound quality out of an EV RE20. Especially when it comes to proximity affect. There’s just no comparison. Also, as a sidenote, when will RUclipsrs stop putting microphones in the picture? Unless you’re late night TV host with a desk you don’t need a microphone right up against your face. Get a Lavalier or a shotgun mic overhead, I’m begging you!
The Frequency Response doesn't show both graphs in the 1st comparison. Also wouldn't there might be differences between Real Shure Mics in frequency response. I thought they both sounded quite similar. The reason why I looked is someone was selling them on the Marketplace for Facebook for $179. I asked and he said he got 2 as gifts, but marketplace also said 21 had been sold. Please do a search, because after I asked for a picture of the serial numbers he either blocked me, or took the item down. See if you can find it!
Funny timing. I literally just realized my Shure Sm57 is a fake… it broke in half and I looked into it further and realized it was a little off. Luckily my sm7b is real 😅
The fake sounds virtually identical on bass and arguably better in the context of a mix on guitars. You are literally simping for a microphone. The sm7b is the most overrated and overpriced piece of gear on the market. If any "professional" raves about this mic, STAY AWAY.
Am I the only one who sees just the fake curve on the frequency spectrum graph? Should I not see two lines - one for real and one for fake? How do I make a comparison with only one line? Sorry if I missed something. JHT
I'm convinced I was duped by one of these. Mine looks like a real one, but it sucks big time. Clips really easily, very middy sound, picks up even the smallest vibration.
Ya ghere all over ebay .thw rule is if its under 220 used especially new its fake..and if u wanna check yours it ssuposed to have a brass faceplate and not red green and white wires i side out of the 4 wires..easiest way to tell
It’s not a fake bro it’s a look alike Look at the new cars fore example they all look the same😜 I don’t even understand the hype of this expensive mics when you recording a voice and after the take you mixing it with reverb delay compression and some other effects there is nothing much left from the original voice except the voice timbre 🤷♂️
That’s it. I’m getting 2 fake SM7 B’s then gutting them and putting a Beyer M-160 in each one. Call me old school, but I’ve always preferred ribbon microphones for broadcast compared to transformer less dynamics.😂
I bought fake mic which I didn’t know it was fake and there is no different from real one,only when you open the microphone and colors of the internal wire is different and only that’s the different,new fake mic is exactly same microphone
I honestly think the fake one sounded way better, because on the real one it always sound like when you turn your microphone on full blast , and smush your mouth on the grill while also speaking into it, and tbh most people get it because of the looks, and the bandwagon
I actually preferred the sound of the fake on the guitar. 😅 Sort of old-school, up to my liking. One thing is making a clone of the circuit, which would be legal after 10 years, if I remember well. Also, industrial designs are protected by a limited amount of time, the shape of the microphone is an industrial design. And sometimes and somewhere the visual aspect can be protected as a trademark. This is to be taken into account, since these fake microphones might not actually be «illegal», at least not everywhere. However, they're certainly misleading to the customer when branding is exactly like the original, which in turn definitely is a trademark infringement.
Hi, Julian can you make a video on how to flatten the frequency response of rode mini nt usb? I’d say it's a good-sounding USB mic but sometimes my vocal becomes nasally
It may be a fake but it looks 10x better and cleaner then the real one Also funny u use music to compare the audio dont know if oyu know it but this is were you use speakers for not mic's😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
That's why fake Gadgets are rising because people cannot afford to buy a real one. Some companies are too greedy even their old model ones increased their product price because of the product popularity. Too bad and Greedy. 😢
Ist das jetzt zum Trend geworden, dass deutsche anfangen auf englisch Videos zu machen? Das klingt immer total schrecklich wenn man hört, dass die Leute Deutsch als Muttersprache haben und nicht englisch 😭 Dieser deutsche englisch Akzent ist grauenvoll!
Due to the variance in price, etc., I took the precaution to contact Neumann to be sure of where to buy a Neumann mic that is not a fake. "They do not sell fakes" :-)
pretty SHURE i just found the same fake you bought. 105 bucks on a certain website i won't promote. crazy thing is while the Shure sounded much better on music, while you spoke, I much preferred the fake. oops.
Hey, I need some help and as I've seen you are one of the best audio reviewers in youtube, I'm about to buy Beyerdynamic DT-770 (250 ohms) and I really need help to choose my dac, I have seen lot of reviews but no one talks about the dac they are using on the headset and there's also lots of opinions on RUclips and forums, people talk about power and that stuff but as I really don't know about audio I need help. Most of the people says power makes the difference but I think that having much power isn't always the best because there must be a limit for the headset loudness but i don't really know which is the max power i should buy for that headset, I would really apreciate if u help me. I've seen people use to recommend FiiO DACs but I don't know, help me so i can choose properly please. Thank you. Edit: I was also thinking about 80ohms version but i really liked the coiled cord on 250 ohms version. If you can also recommend me about which one buy would help me a lot. I would be using them for gaming if you recommend me 80ohms version which DAC would you buy for it. Thanks
4:30 the real one has more of a smile-EQ-shape. More pronounced bass and high-end, whereas the fake has more pronounced middle, muddying the recording. Is that about right? Edit: yaay, I was right, it turned out a few seconds later. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉I can hear stuff wooo
The Fakes highs sound dull and dark, like a lite version of putting a blanket over a speaker. the midrange was better, but hard to say, less a problem vs the highs. i am using the motu m4, and akg k371, k271, AT m50x. same picture in all headphones, the fake mic sounds dark and dull. still good i guess, but the real mic is for sure better. i write this before i watched Julian Krause's conclusion. Thx for making the video.!
The price is always the first barrier to spot the fake mic, don't believe any cheap price that ridiculous cheap like 1/3 the price, if you need that cheap, buy Behringer😂
"Burpinger" is ripping off ,,, basically everything that anyone else invented and they are getting celebrated because they offer it cheap. So in a free market , affordable prices always go before ethics and dignity. Lesson learned.
You're not alone, I actually preferred it on the guitar, it was a much more old-school sound, as a guitarist that's the kind of sound I'm after. On the bass I'm undecided, since each had something the other didn't. That being said, in general I don't like Shure microphones based on that type of capsule. They have more modern designs that sound more pleasing to my ears, but for most people they don't cover «big name» or the nostalgia factor.
Thank you very much Julian for this very informative video. I would insist on the fact that the original manufacturer is having a responsability in this problem of counterfeit mics. The fact that shure didn't developped and made accesible a cross check for serial number or any other way to check that you have a genuine mic in your hand is bad. It also show a bit of low consideration to the buyers. Since years there was no reaction. The silence is deafening.
What’s the purpose of buying this fake? Is it the look? If it’s look I get it but if it was for sound replication you’d be way better off just getting a sm57 no?
thats kinda what companies are hoping for, the big "problem" is that you dont know waht is a rip off and what is a....other kind of rip off. With companies having their products made in China....those chinese companies have the full picture of waht goes into that product, they can easily make a few extra on teh side and sell that under their own brand.
![NOSFERATU - Official Trailer [HD] - Only In Theaters December 25](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nulvWqYUM8k/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm so glad there are honest people like yourself acting as a barrier between false products and the true thing.
I had the bad luck to buy a fake Neumann KMS105. I had my previous one stolen, so I knew the mic very well. When I first sang on a venue I was terrified, larsen all the way, thin sound etc... I saw a video online how to check the differences with a real one, and mine was a fake.
Dude same. Got scammed on reverb
Reverb?
Did you bought sm7b from them?
If you knew the mic so well how did you get scammed?
@@subs4794 My suitcase was stolen in my car with my 2 MacBook, sound interface, mic etc... I went to my dealer shop in a hurry and asked him for a new Neumann and he told me that he had one at a good price that he bought from a customer who wanted to swap it for another model. So I said good, give it to me, it was the same box and everything. Since I knew the mic I didn't find it necessary to test it, and I wasn't aware of fake ones. My surprise was so big when I tried to sing in it ! I was devastated ! Fortunately I had an old spare Shure mic in my bag and did the whole show with it. The dealer wasn't aware either of this, I know the guy very well, I bought everything from him, he was scammed too. So he keeps this fake Neumann in his shop to show to customers who want cheaper Neumann. And he ordered a new one from the official distributor and now I'm a happy camper. hahaha
After a gig I noticed someone took the blue band off my SM 58 beta. The microphone stopped working about a month later, so I opened it up to repair it only to discover … no … they didn’t take the blue band, they swapped my microphone for a fake Beta Blue. Damn!
wow ... that is evil ....
The obsession with this microphone is somewhat amusing imo. After working in TV for 20 years (and recording sound pretty much on daily basis) I can share the following - which microphone one uses is pretty low on the priority list how to get good sound. Recording in a quiet place, with walls that do not reflect the sound is what one needs. Second - be at proper distance from the microphone and (ideally) use a pop shield. After that - one can record with pretty much any microphone.
Not all microphones are alike. If you care about your end product you should research to find a microphone that best serves your voice and specific needs. Most people don't have the money to spend on an audio chain to adjust the sound of their microphone, so finding that specific microphone is important, unless you're just gaming or chatting. Microphones are tools, and like any tool they there is an array of very different microphones to choose from. Of course the room and your microphone technique will definitely affect the quality of your recordins.
Your comment is BS and I'm surprised 30 people liked it.
There is a reason that most radio stations have either a Shure SM 7b or Electro Voice RE20. And it's not because stations want to spend $400 on each microphone.
This mic doesn’t need a pop filter. Go to school.
You are spot on… also… supposed to be audiophile are the easier people to scam…
@@DocFUNKist He's not spot on lol he's full of shit. The SM7B is one of the most used microphones in the radio and broadcast space for a reason. Sound treatment is important, but getting the right microphone for your needs is imperative. As a sound engineer myself, telling someone that the microphone doesn't matter is a giant load of bs. lol
Great video! I can see how it's often hard to spot a fake one given the inconsistencies. For instance. I own two SM7B's both registered with Shure by their serial numbers, so I know they are real, but get this...
Both have the sticker on both sides of the collar, they also don't have the trademark R logo. And what's more interesting. One is a bit shinier than the other, and one is a darker shade of gray.
The most noticeable difference between the two however which led me to believe at first that one was fake is that one of them has a pop filter that looks like the one in the fake SM7B in this video.
Very interesting manufacturing inconsistencies..
I too hate fake/counterfeit products. I stopped buying stuff like microphones, memory cards, and other often faked stuff from Amazon a few years ago. Even if you ensure Amazon is the seller, there's no way to be sure the stock hasn't mingled and you won't get a fake. I hate that fake products cheat people who spend their time and money developing products and I hate that fake products mislead buyers.
Interesting!... I didn't know you can get fake stuff from a "dealer". I bought an Sennheiser MKE-600 a couple of months ago and I never could get it to sound very good so I sent it back. I've had it in the back of my mind whether or not it was a fake or not... I guess lll never know.
Man.... Just found out the one I have is fake...damn! I knew it sounded off. Thank you for the information 😭
Buying an SM57 was the best decision I could've ever made when it comes to getting that SM7b sound (with EQ and the A2WS windscreen), whilst at the same time having a fantastic instrument microphone.
yessss SM57 gang! 💪
i find the sm57 to be hard to sing into cause its so axis sensitive
The A81WS pop filter (intended for the SM81but fits on the SM57) does a much better job than the A2WS. Highly recommended!!! Also the Wind Tech Ultimate series is a very high quality double layer filter that is well worth the extra dollars.
Love me a 57
I just bought my first mic today, and it happens to be an sm57 😀 just waiting on an XLR cable and desktop stand from Amazon
I was looking at SM57s and 58s earlier today. Some are obviously fakes, but with others, it's hard to tell. I'm tempted to try a 50th Anniversary Edition 58, as it seems an odd one to replicate the packaging of, and it's only slightly less expensive than a normal one from the various brick and mortar music shops here. Always tempting!
My fake SM7B never had those differences. I had mine modded with the Trace Audio Anser mod that adds 48v of phantom power. Basically turns into a SM7DB.
this make so much more sense as to why these are being sold for $200 on newegg, AND why this mic didn't live up to it's "epic standards". thanks for this very informational video!
in my opinion for half the price and authentic packaging, if you're not extremely anal on the sound it's a decent buy
Upon viewing this video, I felt compelled to return my SM7b to Amazon. I suspect it may have been a counterfeit. Beforehand, I had my doubts about whether it could truly deliver the "most legendary sound" as advertised. However, upon examining your capsule, my suspicions were confirmed. The product, though listed and sold by Amazon, simply didn't seem authentic. I speculate that, perhaps due to the constraints imposed by the pandemic, Amazon's product authenticity verification process may have been compromised. In the past three years alone, I've received an alarmingly high number of counterfeit products.
Thank you for your alert, Julian! That's totally a scammy and scummy surprise. That fake one sounds scooped!
BTW, Is it just me or the fake is cheating by using a modified capsule that seems to come close to the signature of an... SM58?
Many thanks for taking the time and making the effort to make us aware of these fake mics. I have had my SM7B for about 8 years now and still am loving it. Do you perhaps have an opinion on the RODE NT1 5th Gen? Thanks in advance.
Hey @JulianKrause If recording silence w/ the fake mic, then boosting the signal +24dB, you can hear a tiny voice saying "I'm not Shure, I'm not Shure…"
I was just wondering this recently and was wondering why no one was really talking about it! (I'm on the market currently for a SM7B and was browsing the used market but was growing wary because of the rise of fakes...) very interesting video! Top quality as usual.
Same here. I found one locally at an amazing price. At least from the photos posted it passes every test for being authentic here but I have to wonder why it's so cheap.
I wish I'd seen this video a LONG time ago. I bought an SM7B recently, only to watch your video and discover the worst. I tried to return it, but I'd had the product for too long to return it. I'll remember not to just go for the cheapest option next time, and do a little more research before buying. The reviews tricked me as well, they all said how happy they were with the product, making it seem legit. Guess they all got tricked too.
People are better off buying the SM57 with the pop filter like you showed in your other video.
This is a greatly appreciated video and much needed as the fake SM7bs are really really difficult to tell apart from the real deal (until you plug it in of course). I had the misfortune of purchasing a fake from a popular website that sells used gear and there are a few other things to look out for in identifying a fake that weren't pointed out in the video. #1 is the internal wiring, the capsule to filter switch wiring it a larger gauge and very very poorly soldered verses the real deal. #2 Is the paint job on the control plate and internally, the fakes have very sloppy and less precise internal/control switch paint particularly around the screws (see 2:07). #3 I'm not sure if it was just the particular fake that I received but it had terrible EMI (think single coil guitar pickup). Very unfortunate though that if you didn't have a real SM7b in hand for comparison and had never previously hear the mic IRL it would be incredibly difficult to discern a difference. When in doubt, contact Shure directly. They were incredibly helpful in confirming the authenticity (or lack thereof) of the counterfeit I had purchased and were key in getting my money back and the seller removed from said used gear website.
How can they confirm if your SM7B is authentic or counterfeit? Should it have a bar code?
Game streamers are gonna rush in to buy this crap unfortunately. They do not care about the quality. It's a status piece.
If the fake is an extremely good copy then it’s not called a fake it’s called a clone
These fakes have killed my desire to buy the sm7b on the used market to flip for a quick buck. Great video as always. And excellent work on the music!
True, "replicas" existing for a product pretty much kills the second-hand market (for those who know about them, at least). Which is a pity, because audio equipment is one of those things that could be almost unused but would sell at a discount, which is awesome for enthusiasts.
It’s even hard to sell the real one at reasonable price on the used market now.
@@Lishtenbird spot on. And I used to support my channel by finding sm7b's and other very popular mics for a good price and then building complete setups to resell. Sadly... I can't trust the used market to continue that.
@@tunizarorodrigo7427 sure is. Used to be able to get 325-350....now you'll be lucky to get 290
Yeah, the used market is kinda like a minefield in that regard. Would be great, if Shure had a solid way of checking for fakes. Just relying on the serial number is simply not enough.
the fake one lacks a LOT of sound clarity!
Hi Julian. That was a fantastic video, but I still have some doubts. I'm looking for a mic solution to reduce the echo in my studio. Currently I'm using a zoom h5 with the zoom ssh6 capsule. From what I've seen and read it seems that perhaps the SM58 might be the best option to reduce echo and noise. I already got 2 fetheads thinking I would buy the SM7B, but now I don't know what to do. If you watch my last video you'll see how the sound currently is (and it is a treated small studio room with 10 sound panels). Any help / feedback would be much appretiated. Thanks!
I will be connectig the mic to the zoom h5. Also my original idea was to get a setup that would allow me to shoot a podcast with 2 mics in an untreated room.
Just buy all of your gear from Sweetwater. If you got taken by a fake whatever that means Sweetwater got taken too; and once they discover that error, they WILL make it right at no cost to you. Total purchase assurance for all of your audio production needs. 🤗
I'm pretty sure SW gets direct shipments from Shure, however...
I wonder if anyone has ever purchased a genuine 7B from them and returned a fake for a refund.
I would imagine that they record serial numbers by now so they don't sell an "open box" fake.
a better looking pop filter? sharper lines? a logo that's printed on straight? Seems like the fakers improved a few things :D
Unfortunately I bought a SM7B for 250$ price , i was very excited and thinking this is just a good deal , i was really happy but after 5 months i knew mine is fake and for the good luck I could refund it and get RODE Nt1-a , the rode is very good mice but i just want the sm7b till now cuz I wouldn’t spent all that money in mic unless its sm7b , im sad and happy .. thank god for everything
SSL released a 4 channel audio interface it has 32 bit depth! make a review about it
They should just sell the fake as a different name and not be ripping off Sures actual brand.
Please test new revision of motu m2/m4! There are 3 different revisions, the rev 1 was in your test, rev 2 have completely new pcb design, usb controller (NXP) and new dac (ES9026pro) and rev 3 also have new adc (ES9840) and Atmel usb controller. Rev 1 firmware is 1.xx version and both rev 2 & 3 have 2.xx. It's almost 2 years since rev 3 release and I think now all fresh stocks of motu m2/m4 is rev 3. Unfortunately I found no one detailed enough measure of rev 2/3 but there is a big difference in design and used components compared to rev 1 so I ask you to test it pls
damn now there is M2 rev2?? even 3?!? how do i check mine?
@@St0RM33 rev 1 have driver version 1.xx and rev 2 & 3 have version 2.xx
@@someone7565 i have v1 :/
Would be interesting to hear the difference in the internal shock absorber.
The real SM7B has a real good internal shock mount. Does the fake one copy that? Doubt it as it might drive the cost.
Very nice video.
I bought my SM7B two months ago and I'm very happy with the results.
I have never gave much thought to if my sm7b could be fake. I don't think it is, but somebody asked me today how to spot a fake so now I'm on RUclips and wondering. I'm gonna check the serial number when i get home. But I'm 99.9% sure mine is real based on my experiences with it
Pov: my School English 😂 Aber gutes Video!
The shure sm7b and the Neumann I will not buy on line because of this particular reason
Bought mine from Sweetwater so I think I am fine
Interestingly, I actually preferred the fake on guitar - that mid hump ended up being in just the right place, with the duller highs removing some of the harshmess. On bass I liked them about the same, but on voice, I definitely preferred the real one. The SM7b isn't something I'd typically reach for when micing up a guitar cab anyway, so I'm not really surprised at the fake sounding better to my ear there!
starting to think this is a commercial for the fake
Fake one (at least one on the video) could be pain to setup compression, noise gate, EQ and adding effects. Quite often you can't really tell how big difference is, until you add compression, gate and effects like reverb thru tube amp.
Really good microphone (like Shure SM7-B) shouldn't by itself sound different from original sound so much, that you are able to tell the difference without effects or amplification and such (whole point and reason why really good mics cost shit ton, is the fact they are very close to absolute neutral sound)
@@Kilzu1well said sir! It’s all in the sound. Dynamic MIC like SM7b relies heavily on eq treatment for live applications. PEQ more than often is a must. Fake ones behave horribly different in music and live setting.
Sometimes you really do just get what you pay for.
Hi, Julian can you make a video on how to flatten the frequency response of rode mini nt usb? I’d say it's a good-sounding USB mic but sometimes my vocal becomes nasally
Is there any way to know without opening the package ?
i would buy the fake in this case.
BRO it's a bit thinner but its not noticeable for podcast and just streaming. Its only noticeable when your doing things like singing and music
I prefer your voice on the fake SM7B
the fake sm7b shouldve just been an own mic. because its sounding quite good for 130€ with considerably good materials
I would not have a problem with that fake!
It only sounds slightly less impressive when you compare them side-by-side, with meters.
I would be happy with paying the lower price.
Don't buy fake ones children
It’s funny how all it takes is one or two RUclipsrs to then trickle down to every RUclipsr. One viral video contributed to the huge popularity of this microphone. It’s not a bad mic, but dollar for dollar you’re gonna get a much better sound quality out of an EV RE20. Especially when it comes to proximity affect. There’s just no comparison. Also, as a sidenote, when will RUclipsrs stop putting microphones in the picture? Unless you’re late night TV host with a desk you don’t need a microphone right up against your face. Get a Lavalier or a shotgun mic overhead, I’m begging you!
omgx a youtube comment i fully agree with. might print it out and stick it on my refrigerator as a memento
Won't a lavalier or shotgun mic pick up a lot more background noise?
Got a question.. did the fake Sm7b need the same amount of gain as the original one in your tests? Was it gain hungry as the original one?
Yes, I tested that and it needed virtually the same amount of gain.
The Frequency Response doesn't show both graphs in the 1st comparison. Also wouldn't there might be differences between Real Shure Mics in frequency response. I thought they both sounded quite similar. The reason why I looked is someone was selling them on the Marketplace for Facebook for $179. I asked and he said he got 2 as gifts, but marketplace also said 21 had been sold. Please do a search, because after I asked for a picture of the serial numbers he either blocked me, or took the item down. See if you can find it!
Funny timing. I literally just realized my Shure Sm57 is a fake… it broke in half and I looked into it further and realized it was a little off. Luckily my sm7b is real 😅
Lol, I don't think you can break a real sm57, so ya, there you go
@@jjrusy7438 give one to me... i ll break it easily
I don't even like the real SM7B's...lol
The fake sounds virtually identical on bass and arguably better in the context of a mix on guitars. You are literally simping for a microphone.
The sm7b is the most overrated and overpriced piece of gear on the market. If any "professional" raves about this mic, STAY AWAY.
I bought a fake AT2020 before buying the original.
Am I the only one who sees just the fake curve on the frequency spectrum graph? Should I not see two lines - one for real and one for fake? How do I make a comparison with only one line? Sorry if I missed something. JHT
I'm convinced I was duped by one of these. Mine looks like a real one, but it sucks big time. Clips really easily, very middy sound, picks up even the smallest vibration.
If Amazon sells fake SM7Bs idk what to say🤣 spent a solid 425 on mine
Here's a trick to spot fakes:
The price tag's too good to be true? - Than it's not.
you are welcome.
Ya ghere all over ebay .thw rule is if its under 220 used especially new its fake..and if u wanna check yours it ssuposed to have a brass faceplate and not red green and white wires i side out of the 4 wires..easiest way to tell
Shure microphones in particular seem to be the most targeted make by far.
It’s not a fake bro it’s a look alike
Look at the new cars fore example they all look the same😜
I don’t even understand the hype of this expensive mics when you recording a voice and
after the take you mixing it with reverb delay compression and some other effects there is nothing
much left from the original voice except the voice timbre 🤷♂️
Julian you rock brother. Your one of the best breakdown product specialists on youtube. Bravo !!
That’s it. I’m getting 2 fake SM7 B’s then gutting them and putting a Beyer M-160 in each one. Call me old school, but I’ve always preferred ribbon microphones for broadcast compared to transformer less dynamics.😂
That's an interesting mod, would love to see it 😃
I bought fake mic which I didn’t know it was fake and there is no different from real one,only when you open the microphone and colors of the internal wire is different and only that’s the different,new fake mic is exactly same microphone
The real one has a serial number?
Mine is also pretty easy to move when the screws are maximum tight. Is that normal? It came in a sealed package.
Is there a website to validate the serial number?
@@FabianFree airpods clones have a fake serial number that validate correctly on Apple site, no current validation works reliably
Just because I payed full price doesn’t make it real
@@FabianFree that's not what I said
@@manuel-3500 I know - thats what I said
I honestly think the fake one sounded way better, because on the real one it always sound like when you turn your microphone on full blast , and smush your mouth on the grill while also speaking into it, and tbh most people get it because of the looks, and the bandwagon
For his voice, I kind of agree.
tell me you dont know what youre talking about without telling me
@@Bkoded Please stop using that stupid generic saying. Using it makes you come across as an idiot.
@@Bkoded? He’s listening and it’s his opinion
I actually preferred the sound of the fake on the guitar. 😅 Sort of old-school, up to my liking.
One thing is making a clone of the circuit, which would be legal after 10 years, if I remember well. Also, industrial designs are protected by a limited amount of time, the shape of the microphone is an industrial design. And sometimes and somewhere the visual aspect can be protected as a trademark. This is to be taken into account, since these fake microphones might not actually be «illegal», at least not everywhere. However, they're certainly misleading to the customer when branding is exactly like the original, which in turn definitely is a trademark infringement.
Great review - Nice to see the breakdown. Delighted your eyebrows moved @6:26 ;)
The fake microphone sounds better.
There is nothing wrong with having a clone as long as it’s sold as a clone
fake shure sm7b how to spot fake: it doesnt say shure on it.
50US$ are enough to buy a fake Shure SM7B.
2:18 Mine's about 2 years old, sticker still only covers half the collar.
got mine under a year ago and it goes all the way around
Hi, Julian can you make a video on how to flatten the frequency response of rode mini nt usb? I’d say it's a good-sounding USB mic but sometimes my vocal becomes nasally
4:46 did you forget to add the graph for the real SM7B or am I just too stupid to understand the graph?
My exact feelings!! I was like "Where's the graph for the other one?! What am I looking at?!" 😩😩
It may be a fake but it looks 10x better and cleaner then the real one
Also funny u use music to compare the audio dont know if oyu know it but this is were you use speakers for not mic's😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
What is that audio track for the comparison?
That's why fake Gadgets are rising because people cannot afford to buy a real one. Some companies are too greedy even their old model ones increased their product price because of the product popularity. Too bad and Greedy. 😢
I mean where to even get a fake sm7b😂
The fake has way better performance per dolar
Buy new direct from Shure.
Ist das jetzt zum Trend geworden, dass deutsche anfangen auf englisch Videos zu machen? Das klingt immer total schrecklich wenn man hört, dass die Leute Deutsch als Muttersprache haben und nicht englisch 😭
Dieser deutsche englisch Akzent ist grauenvoll!
Can you do one for the new Shure SM7DB
When I tell you I got straight up out of bed after watching this video to make sure mine isn’t a fake lmao. Luckily it looks like I’m all good 😂
Due to the variance in price, etc., I took the precaution to contact Neumann to be sure of where to buy a Neumann mic that is not a fake. "They do not sell fakes" :-)
So the difference is small 🤔
pretty SHURE i just found the same fake you bought. 105 bucks on a certain website i won't promote. crazy thing is while the Shure sounded much better on music, while you spoke, I much preferred the fake. oops.
Hey, I need some help and as I've seen you are one of the best audio reviewers in youtube, I'm about to buy Beyerdynamic DT-770 (250 ohms) and I really need help to choose my dac, I have seen lot of reviews but no one talks about the dac they are using on the headset and there's also lots of opinions on RUclips and forums, people talk about power and that stuff but as I really don't know about audio I need help. Most of the people says power makes the difference but I think that having much power isn't always the best because there must be a limit for the headset loudness but i don't really know which is the max power i should buy for that headset, I would really apreciate if u help me. I've seen people use to recommend FiiO DACs but I don't know, help me so i can choose properly please. Thank you.
Edit: I was also thinking about 80ohms version but i really liked the coiled cord on 250 ohms version. If you can also recommend me about which one buy would help me a lot. I would be using them for gaming if you recommend me 80ohms version which DAC would you buy for it. Thanks
4:30 the real one has more of a smile-EQ-shape. More pronounced bass and high-end, whereas the fake has more pronounced middle, muddying the recording. Is that about right?
Edit: yaay, I was right, it turned out a few seconds later. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉I can hear stuff wooo
The Fakes highs sound dull and dark, like a lite version of putting a blanket over a speaker. the midrange was better, but hard to say, less a problem vs the highs. i am using the motu m4, and akg k371, k271, AT m50x. same picture in all headphones, the fake mic sounds dark and dull. still good i guess, but the real mic is for sure better. i write this before i watched Julian Krause's conclusion. Thx for making the video.!
The price is always the first barrier to spot the fake mic, don't believe any cheap price that ridiculous cheap like 1/3 the price, if you need that cheap, buy Behringer😂
"Burpinger" is ripping off ,,, basically everything that anyone else invented and they are getting celebrated because they offer it cheap.
So in a free market , affordable prices always go before ethics and dignity. Lesson learned.
I actually quite like the sound of the fake SM7B... Am I crazy?
Maybe you're listening on a heavily V-shaped earphone, but prefer neutral tuning. And the fake "emulates" that.
no, sound is subjective, that is why sound is often a reeeeaaaally silly subject to talk about when you think about it.
You're not alone, I actually preferred it on the guitar, it was a much more old-school sound, as a guitarist that's the kind of sound I'm after. On the bass I'm undecided, since each had something the other didn't.
That being said, in general I don't like Shure microphones based on that type of capsule. They have more modern designs that sound more pleasing to my ears, but for most people they don't cover «big name» or the nostalgia factor.
I liked the warmer, less sharp sound of the fake on the guitar too. Imo, the lack of definition would not be good for vocals or an acoustic.
Why you get the Fake shure sm7b?
Thank you very much Julian for this very informative video.
I would insist on the fact that the original manufacturer is having a responsability in this problem of counterfeit mics. The fact that shure didn't developped and made accesible a cross check for serial number or any other way to check that you have a genuine mic in your hand is bad. It also show a bit of low consideration to the buyers.
Since years there was no reaction. The silence is deafening.
@Julian Krause So how do I avoid buying a fake is their a website that is very reliable and trust worthy?
What’s the purpose of buying this fake? Is it the look? If it’s look I get it but if it was for sound replication you’d be way better off just getting a sm57 no?
At times the fake meet your budget.
Had a hard time telling the sound apart on the guitar and bass, but on your voice, even with my crappy ear buds, it was night and day.
Does the sm7b actually need to be as expensive as it is tho
Nope, same capsule as the SM57 with an extra $5 worth of metalwork around it - it's the biggest con in the world!
Makie onyx producer 22, Kadance studio midiplus 2 & vault ai 22 hd ..... review 🙏
I hardly think it's gonna be nearly as good as the real deal... But I'll hold off on my judgement till the end of the video
thats kinda what companies are hoping for, the big "problem" is that you dont know waht is a rip off and what is a....other kind of rip off.
With companies having their products made in China....those chinese companies have the full picture of waht goes into that product, they can easily make a few extra on teh side and sell that under their own brand.
Sounds like shit, LMAO