Of course, Shure SM58 has always been the cult favorite. It is believed by more than many as the gold standard for the music industry. While Shure SM57 is designed especially for instruments, Shure SM58 is sophisticatedly crafted for vocals. However, if you are seeking for an affordable and budget-friendly microphone, then you may have come across Shure PG58 in your journey. Shure PG58 comes at a price that is much lower than Shure SM58’s price, nearly half the price. As the two are quite similar to each other, you are certainly wondering which one makes the better choice. Read on to find out!
Designs and Variants
To begin with, even though the two share quite a lot of similarities and resemblances, there are still key distinctions in the designs. Shure SM58 is available in several variants. The standard one is Shure SM58-LC that has no on/off switch and has no cable included. Shure SM58-CN has no on/off switch but has an XLR cable. Shure SM58-X2U has no on/off switch but has an XLR-to-USB signal adapter. Shure SM58S is the one with on/off switch. On the other hand, every Shure PG58 variant has a built-in on/off switch. The standard one, Shure PG58-LC has no cable included, while Shure PG58XLR has an XLR-to-XLR cable and Shure PG58QTR has an XLR-to-1/4” cable. Please read also: Shure SM58 Vs Beta58.
Also worth mentioning, these microphones have a cardioid polar pattern. So, they pick up sounds the best from the front. They attenuate sounds coming off-axis from the sides and the rear so that they can reduce ambient noise quite well. In addition, each microphone also has a spherical pop filter that can reduce breath sounds quite significantly.
Output Quality
Comparing the output quality of Shure SM58 and Shure PG58, we can immediately tell that Shure SM58 is simply the better one. Shure SM58 produces a bright and detailed audio reproduction, keeping soaring vocals over instruments. With a frequency response range of 50 Hz – 15 kHz, Shure SM58 picks up lows, mids, and highs accurately. It is also quite sensitive to sounds. On the other hand, Shure PG58 has a narrower frequency response range of 60 Hz – 15 kHz, and a little bit less sensitive. The sounds are not as solid.
Shure SM58 Vs PG58
| Shure SM58 | Shure PG58 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Shure | Shure |
| Key features | - Frequency response tailored for vocals, with brightened midrange and bass rolloff to control proximity effect - Effective built-in spherical wind and pop filter. Frequency response: 50 to 15,000 Hz - Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise. - Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes background noise | - Tailored frequency response is smooth and extended. Tuned specifically for vocal applications - Cardioid polar pattern picks up the most sound from in front of the microphone and some sound from the sides. Less susceptible to feedback in high volume settings. - Dynamic cartridge has a simple, rugged coil. Handles extreme volume levels without distortion |
| Price | ||
| Customer Ratings* | 4.6 out of 5 stars | 4.6 out of 5 stars |
| Best Deal* | Save Money Please click here | Save Money Please click here |
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Decision
So, will Shure PG58 makes a good alternative? In the end, we recommend you to stick with Shure SM58. The improved output quality worth the price, especially for professional purposes.