Mic shootout for drum overheads: Blue Hummingbird v. Blue Dragonfly

Here's a quick comparison of the Blue Hummingbird and Blue Dragonfly mics used as drum overheads. Need an executive summary? It's really difficult to tell the difference (at least in a spaced pair configuration, in my basement).
Details:
-Blue Hummingbird and Blue Dragonfly for OHs; AKG D112 in kick
-Apogee Element 88 A/D
-Digital Performer 9
-Plug-ins: DP limiting and EQ on kick; Waves Renaissance Comp and DP EQ on drum bus (slight boost at 5k and then 13k on up); Cytomic Glue and Waves L3 Limiter on master bus
-Fujifilm X100T camera
-iMovie
Backstory: I've been using Blue Dragonfly microphones for drum overheads for more than a decade now, and I love them. I've tried a variety of other mics in the past (AKG 414s, Neumann KM 184s, Cole 4038 ribbon mics, etc.), and the Dragonfly mics are my favorite. Compared with the others, the Dragonfly mics rarely have to be EQ'd-they just sit really well in the mix.
...But recently I've been intrigued with the Blue Hummingbirds. I've tried them on my hi hats (sound pretty good, but I rarely mic my hats), underneath my snare (sounds good, but again, I rarely mic underneath), and on top of my snare (really good sound, but might be a little too dynamic for some applications).
For this test, I placed mics on each side very close together. I measured the distance from the capsules to the center of the snare. Though you'll see a snare mic in the video, I've muted that mic in the mix-so it's just three mics: kick and OHs.
I can hear the switch mainly because the hi hat side (right) sounds a little lower with the Dragonfly for some reason. It could be just a slight variation in capsule positioning or something to do with the uneven ceiling over that side of the kit. But it's really tough to hear it.
Overall, to me, the Hummingbird sounds pretty good. And when I've tried it on guitar ( • Mic shootout for acous... ), voice, and hand percussion (djembe), the difference between the Hummingbird and Dragonfly is more noticeable. The Hummingbird has a sweeter, more polished sound (so basically a little bit more high end) and a little less low end than the Dragonfly.
Maybe because there is a little less reflection from the low ceiling with the Hummingbirds, they work pretty well in my basement for drum overheads. They sound a little more focused on the drums. I also like the way the snare sounds in those overheads a bit better than the Dragonfly mics. But I'm not sure I would stop using the Dragonfly mics as my go-to mics for overheads. They have a little more body for my taste, even though it's pretty dang subtle.

[@benjaminjgraham]

Great Shootout. I've been looking at getting myself a pair of Dragonfly Mics for overheads. Very helpful!

[@schmargle]

Right on. I highly recommend the Dragonfly.

[@franco76r]

@@schmargle What are your thoughts on the hummingbirds? Do you think they're worth it?

[@schmargle]

​@@franco76r I definitely like the Hummingbirds. Since I already have the Dragonfly mics, the Hummingbirds wouldn't be my first choice for drum overheads. But I've been using the Hummingbirds on hats, snare, hand percussion, acoustic guitar, and piano-they always help things fit into the mix. Also, the Dragonfly mics are more than 3x as expensive, so for people on more of a budget, I would totally recommend the Hummingbirds.

[@franco76r]

@@schmargle Im considering them since they can be found for 300 the pair. Im afraid they could be a little "harsh" from reading some reviews but its nice hearing from someone who actually uses them. Thanks man!

[@schmargle]

@@franco76r Sure. Yeah, they definitely have a high-end bump, but I kind of like it-I just tend to not add more EQ. You can check out a few other videos I made with a Hummingbird on snare (ruclips.net/video/2K2U_CBx3_s/видео.html) and on guitar (ruclips.net/video/GJ6jEAPl5gw/видео.html).

[@enriquekikzdelapazbichain1126]

Maybe the dragonflies are more suited as room mics, because of all of the meat that they´re grabbing, i loved both tbh

[@lukesuperflyjones]

Thank you so much for doing this! I currently own 2 blue spark mics (first gen) and kind of use that as OH and for stereo recording. But I always think about the blue hummingbird and how it would compare. Thoughts? Also we have the same interface ;)

[@schmargle]

I haven't tried the Spark, but I really like the Hummingbird. Just looking at the frequency response charts for both mics, it looks like the Hummingbird is flatter in the mids but then has more of a high-end bump. So I'd say it's accurate but definitely a little pre-tuned for mixes. I did this shootout a while ago, but I continue to use the Hummingbird mics often for overheads. I like how they help everything sit in the mix, and they are super easy to position (especially compared with the Dragonfly mics, which are heavier and a bit more awkward). I also like Hummingbird mics for other stereo recording-guitar, piano-especially when those instruments are mixed in with others. ...Lastly, you might be able to find deals on the Hummingbird mics (as I did) or find some used.

[@chazmechenbier]

I'm late to the Dragonfly; I'm an engineer with a good sized studio and a decent drum kit (I'm not a drummer). I came across a good deal on a new one, and hear raves about it/them for OH mics. The question- to OH mics or even a GJ/Recorderman setup always call for two of the same mic? Do I need a pair of Dragonfly mics, or can I use another mic on the tom side?

[@schmargle]

You can make it work with two different mics. I’d recommend either (a) using two relatively similar mics (like another large-diaphragm condenser with the Dragonfly), so that you don’t have to fiddle with EQ and gain too much to get them in the same ballpark; and/or (b) leaving the center OH mic panned to the center.
With the GJ/Recorderman setup, I like to pan the mic directly over the snare hard left, and the other mic hard right. With that panning, I think it’s probably easier to have similar or the same mics. But if you treat the mic over the snare as a centered mic, I think you have more flexibility for the other mic, since you’re using that one more to dial in a bit of a stereo image.

[@chazmechenbier]

@@schmargle Thanks, Greg, you've saved me some time and research! I have a few pairs (SE Voodoo, AKG 414 XLII, SM81) but I'm excited to try out the Dragonfly. Great grooves, mate!