Head to head

Shure MV7 Plus vs Shure SM57

A side-by-side look at Shure MV7 Plus and Shure SM57 for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.

Shure MV7 Plus

Broadcast-grade dynamic voice with a touchscreen panel and dual outputs

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Shure SM57

Studio workhorse that captures instruments as cleanly as it does voice

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At a glance

Shure MV7 PlusShure SM57
Starting priceSee siteSee site
Free planNoNo
Free trialNoNo
Best forSerious podcasters who want a polished dual-output mic with hands-on controls and no interface requiredPodcasters who also record instruments and want one mic that does both jobs

Key features

Shure MV7 Plus

  • Cardioid dynamic capsule
  • Dual output: USB-C and XLR
  • 24-bit / 48kHz resolution (USB)
  • Frequency response: 50Hz - 16kHz
  • LED touch panel with gain, monitor volume, and mute controls
  • Auto Level Mode and OBS certified

Shure SM57

  • Dynamic cardioid XLR, no phantom power needed
  • Frequency response 40 Hz to 15 kHz
  • Contoured presence boost for instruments and voice
  • Flat grille allows extremely close mic placement
  • Output impedance 310 ohms
  • Pneumatic shock mount system reduces handling noise

Pros and cons

Shure MV7 Plus

Pros

  • Dual USB-C and XLR outputs - future-proofs your setup
  • LED touch panel is intuitive for live control
  • Auto Level Mode is ideal for podcasters who dislike gain management
  • Dynamic capsule excels at voice isolation in untreated rooms

Cons

  • Narrower frequency response (50-16kHz) than condenser competitors
  • Premium price relative to performance for solo podcasting
  • Heavier and bulkier than compact condenser alternatives

Shure SM57

Pros

  • Versatile - voice and instruments equally well
  • Same legendary build quality and warranty as the SM58
  • Outstanding off-axis rejection in loud environments
  • No phantom power, runs on anything

Cons

  • Flat grille means plosives hit harder - pop filter is more important
  • Slightly less presence boost for vocals compared to SM58
  • Frequency ceiling at 15 kHz limits high-end air on bright voices

The verdict

Choose Shure MV7 Plus if

Serious podcasters who want a polished dual-output mic with hands-on controls and no interface required.

The MV7+ is a significant step up from the original MV7. The LED touch panel is not gimmicky - it is genuinely useful for adjusting gain and monitoring volume on the fly without touching software. Auto Level Mode is a…

Read the full Shure MV7 Plus review →

Choose Shure SM57 if

Podcasters who also record instruments and want one mic that does both jobs.

The SM57 is technically an instrument mic, but its tight polar pattern and rejection characteristics make it a solid podcasting mic for anyone who treats it right. The flat grille means you have to work it closer than the SM58,…

Read the full Shure SM57 review →

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