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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: poorlyconditioned on January 01, 2005, 02:22:40 PM

Title: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: poorlyconditioned on January 01, 2005, 02:22:40 PM
Is anyone out there using Shure MX-183 (omni), 185 (card), 184 (supercard) mics?  These seem like good stealth mics, an alternative to AT853 or similar.  They are approx. the same size, about 12mm in diameter.  Note that Shure appears to make the same units as both lav. and overhead (choir) mics (with a gooseneck mount).

The prices are comparable to AT853, but the interesting thing is you can buy them without the power module for around $100 each (the "wireless verson, with a 4' cable and TA4F mini XLR connector), which is pretty nice.  Then you can build your own battery box.  Capsules are approx $50 each.

Oh yeah, the SNR on the Omnis seems to be alot better than the cards for some reason.  Something like 74dB compared to 66/67dB for the card/supercards.  I'm not sure why.

Finally, I believe Soundprofessionals are selling these, although they don't say the exact model #.

  Richard
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: MaggiesBrother on January 04, 2005, 04:46:37 PM
I've used the MX-185 with phantom power and found them to be very, very good, better then the SP CMC-8.  In fact, the only reason I don't use them anymore is that I upgraded to DPA 4022.  But I was very happy with the shows I did with them.
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: spyder9 on January 05, 2005, 04:48:18 PM
The AT853RX (30-20K) have a better frequency response than the Shures (50-17k) and a way better SPL max.  Most important, you can get the AT853RX on eBay for $159 a piece as opposed to $219 for the Shure on other sites.  Below is the pdf files on both mics. 

AT853RX

http://www.audio-technica.com/prodpro/addinfo/AT853Rx.pdf

Shure MX-183x

http://www.shure.com/pdf/specsheets/spec_microflex/mx183_mx184_mx185.pdf     


Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: thierryhenry on January 05, 2005, 06:02:40 PM
I've used the MX-185 with phantom power and found them to be very, very good, better then the SP CMC-8.  In fact, the only reason I don't use them anymore is that I upgraded to DPA 4022.  But I was very happy with the shows I did with them.

Good to know, thanks.
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: ashevillain on January 05, 2005, 06:05:29 PM
Edit: Audix is now making mics like these too: .pdf files attached

The ADX40 has similar specs to the AT853...
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: leegeddy on January 05, 2005, 06:28:09 PM
Edit: Audix is now making mics like these too: .pdf files attached

The ADX40 has similar specs to the AT853...

very cool. the ADX40 looks promising for stealth situatations.

marc
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: thierryhenry on January 05, 2005, 06:51:32 PM
Indeed it does, do you think it would cost a little more since Audix is manufacturing it?
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: johnw on January 05, 2005, 11:49:44 PM
I would consider dynamic range. The AT does 30-20K, the Audix does 40-20 and the Shure does 50-17K. Seems like the AT would be the winner on paper. Not saying they sound better, but 50-17 is pretty skimpy.
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: noahbickart on January 09, 2005, 05:19:01 PM
I would consider dynamic range. The AT does 30-20K, the Audix does 40-20 and the Shure does 50-17K. Seems like the AT would be the winner on paper. Not saying they sound better, but 50-17 is pretty skimpy.

That would be *Frequency response,* not dynamic range. Dynamic range is measured in db and represents the range between the loudest and softest signal.

-Noah
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: thierryhenry on January 09, 2005, 05:24:05 PM
They sound like solid mics still.
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: John Kelly on March 20, 2005, 10:00:50 PM
I would consider dynamic range. The AT does 30-20K, the Audix does 40-20 and the Shure does 50-17K. Seems like the AT would be the winner on paper. Not saying they sound better, but 50-17 is pretty skimpy.

I have no problem with my 1290s that range from 40-20k. 
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: Steelcorner27 on March 20, 2005, 11:49:59 PM
As owner of Audix m1290's and AT853's I'm here to tell you that it is not even close The Audix are in a whole other class from the AT's it is not unlike when I made the jump from CSB's to 4061's  everything is cleaner high's lows you name it. As for the ADX20's i just picked up a set of those also yet to try them but Ill giv a review soon. As to the 20hz-20khz vs 40hz-20khz that is not something to even worry about in my opinion everything below 40hz is unwanted anyway.
Brad
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: dklein on March 21, 2005, 01:12:05 AM
The AT does 30-20K, the Audix does 40-20 and the Shure does 50-17K. Seems like the AT would be the winner on paper. Not saying they sound better, but 50-17 is pretty skimpy.
I would actually consider these differences totally insignificant (and we're missing the tolerance spec on those freq responses).
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: leegeddy on March 21, 2005, 01:17:22 AM
As owner of Audix m1290's and AT853's I'm here to tell you that it is not even close The Audix are in a whole other class from the AT's it is not unlike when I made the jump from CSB's to 4061's  everything is cleaner high's lows you name it. As for the ADX20's i just picked up a set of those also yet to try them but Ill giv a review soon. As to the 20hz-20khz vs 40hz-20khz that is not something to even worry about in my opinion everything below 40hz is unwanted anyway.
Brad

brad;

i've heard quite a few recordings made with the Audix m1290. while they are good mics for their price and performance, i would say that your perception of "whole other class" is far stretched and over hyped.  then again, i have no idea what your listening environment is, so i'll reserve my judgements. 

no offense to Audix users, but i gotta stick up for Team AT here.

marc
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: John Kelly on March 21, 2005, 01:42:47 AM
As owner of Audix m1290's and AT853's I'm here to tell you that it is not even close The Audix are in a whole other class from the AT's it is not unlike when I made the jump from CSB's to 4061's  everything is cleaner high's lows you name it. As for the ADX20's i just picked up a set of those also yet to try them but Ill giv a review soon. As to the 20hz-20khz vs 40hz-20khz that is not something to even worry about in my opinion everything below 40hz is unwanted anyway.
Brad

brad;

i've heard quite a few recordings made with the Audix m1290. while they are good mics for their price and performance, i would say that your perception of "whole other class" is far stretched and over hyped.  then again, i have no idea what your listening environment is, so i'll reserve my judgements. 

no offense to Audix users, but i gotta stick up for Team AT here.

marc


None taken. ;)  I think Team AT is a fine team, and in fact I used to be on it.  However I do think the m1290s are a step above the 853s.  Maybe not a giant leap, but at least a step. :)
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: leegeddy on March 21, 2005, 02:06:18 AM
As owner of Audix m1290's and AT853's I'm here to tell you that it is not even close The Audix are in a whole other class from the AT's it is not unlike when I made the jump from CSB's to 4061's  everything is cleaner high's lows you name it. As for the ADX20's i just picked up a set of those also yet to try them but Ill giv a review soon. As to the 20hz-20khz vs 40hz-20khz that is not something to even worry about in my opinion everything below 40hz is unwanted anyway.
Brad

brad;

i've heard quite a few recordings made with the Audix m1290. while they are good mics for their price and performance, i would say that your perception of "whole other class" is far stretched and over hyped.  then again, i have no idea what your listening environment is, so i'll reserve my judgements. 

no offense to Audix users, but i gotta stick up for Team AT here.

marc


None taken. ;)  I think Team AT is a fine team, and in fact I used to be on it.  However I do think the m1290s are a step above the 853s.  Maybe not a giant leap, but at least a step. :)

john;
i do agree that the m1290s are a step above 853s. however, there's a fairly large street price differene between the 2, application design, utility, size and the fact that m1290 are "full" body mics with a capsule and a preamp body.  now, i'd love to hear a comparison between the m1290 and the AT4041 which is similar in both design and street price.

marc
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: John Kelly on March 21, 2005, 02:10:26 AM
john;
i do agree that the m1290s are a step above 853s. however, there's a fairly large street price differene between the 2, application design, utility, size and the fact that m1290 are "full" body mics with a capsule and a preamp body.  now, i'd love to hear a comparison between the m1290 and the AT4041 which is similar in both design and street price.

marc

Definitely.  I think the 4041s and the 4051s both sound great, and I'm surprised more people don't run them (I was actually thinking of getting a pair before I bought the m1290s).  The m1290s have the added benefit of being stealthable, though, something the larger AT mics do not have. ;)
Title: Re: Shure MX-183/184/185, alternative to AT853. Are they any better?
Post by: Steelcorner27 on March 21, 2005, 07:34:04 AM
As owner of Audix m1290's and AT853's 

brad;

i've heard quite a few recordings made with the Audix m1290. while they are good mics for their price and performance, i would say that your perception of "whole other class" is far stretched and over hyped.  then again, i have no idea what your listening environment is, so i'll reserve my judgements. 

no offense to Audix users, but i gotta stick up for Team AT here.

marc


None taken. ;)  I think Team AT is a fine team, and in fact I used to be on it.  However I do think the m1290s are a step above the 853s.  Maybe not a giant leap, but at least a step. :)

I take no offence to my own comments either..as I said I own both as do quite a few of us now using The Audix. I'm not saying there in the class of Schoeps or DPA 4022's I'm just saying there the higest step on the ladder before you spend the big cash.

Brad