Electro-Voice RE20

The radio broadcaster's mic that has been in studios since 1968

Best for: Broadcast professionals and serious podcasters who want proximity-effect-free dynamics and radio-quality vocal tone

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The RE20 is a large-diaphragm dynamic XLR microphone featuring Electro-Voice's patented Variable-D technology, which virtually eliminates proximity effect - the bass boost that plagues most dynamic mics when you get close. It delivers a smooth, broadcast-grade voice tone with an integral humbucking coil for line-noise rejection. An industry standard since its debut.

Key features

Dynamic cardioid, XLR only
45 Hz - 18 kHz frequency response
Variable-D technology for proximity effect elimination
Integral humbucking coil for line-noise rejection
Bass tilt-down switch on body
Large-diaphragm element for low self-noise

Our take

Variable-D is the defining spec here - you can move around the RE20, speak off-center, or position it slightly differently from session to session and the tone stays remarkably consistent. That consistency is why radio stations still have racks of them. The tone itself is neutral-leaning with excellent clarity on voice. The honest caveat: this mic is expensive and heavy, and it needs a serious interface with plenty of clean gain. The standalone mic needs a quality boom arm rated for its weight, and the standard beige finish is genuinely ugly - most buyers now opt for the RE20-BLACK (B08P7QTZM5).