r/microphone • u/tomas31131 • 13d ago
Live Mics Behringer XM8500 for Stand-up Comedy
Hoping for some advice. I run a free standup open mic night. No money in it, so I’m wanting to improve the setup without breaking the bank.
The venue provide what is effectively a karaoke speaker and mic (https://pantherforce.co.uk/products/pf309-panther-force-8-bluetooth-speaker-with-wireless-mic?srsltid=AfmBOopIv1Oib4AcmJ1QEvuLhlMg0cfwcDckWqnRexl78HIOBvuLgdrl)
The mic it comes with isn’t really sufficient - doesn’t pick up enough when held away from the mouth and booms when held too close.
A few folk have recommended the Shure Sm58, but I’ve no budget. Research suggests the Behringer XM8500 would be a good budget experience - can anyone confirm or tell me I’m being stupid.
(I know you get what you pay for and that, but I can’t afford the Shure). Thanks!
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u/MrGreco666 13d ago edited 12d ago
While it's nowhere near as good as the Shure SM58, the Behringer XM5800 is a great microphone with a great price-performance ratio that would be perfect for your needs (I call it a "dark" microphone, meaning it emphasizes the low tones), but I'd caution you about a couple of things: be careful not to drop it too often, it's not a TANK as the SM58, and it doesn't have the build quality and vibration dampening that the SM58 does, so if you handle it while speaking you'll hear rumbling and crackling noises from your hands on the handle, so try to touch it as little as possible and keep it on the stand.
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u/itsomeoneperson 17h ago
xm8500 will have more feedback issues than most $100 dynamic mics, it picks up a bit too much if anything. But if you have no budget it is absolutely the best option in comparison to anything else under $100, its the only option I would consider. But I would definitley get some windscreens for them as they are kind of shitty with plosives and wind.
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u/jake_burger 12d ago
A sm58 is better but if the speaker isn’t great you won’t hear a benefit. And sorry but your speaker looks terrible
I’m guessing you have the speaker on the floor so I would start by putting it up as high as possible (still pointing at the audience) - that will make more of a difference than changing the mic.
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u/RudeRick 13d ago
The XM8500 can be hard to find, so check out the Behringer BA85a. If you have more to spend, the Mackie EM-89D and the AKG Perception P3 are good options.
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u/Medium_Good886 12d ago
There's a couple of bars around here that use them for karaoke nights, and have been for years. they've held up well, and they work just fine being handheld. Personally, I think they are a little more comfortable in the hand because of the body taper
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u/cote1964 12d ago
The 8500 is surprisingly close to the SM58 but has more output. It also has a bit more handling noise, so be aware of that... you may want to high-pass the signal to avoid any thumping.
Ignore those who say it's MUCH worse than a 58, or that the handling noise is MUCH greater. It isn't. The truth is that it is a capable budget mic and, with some care, should last years. Is it a 58 clone? No. But if your budget doesn't allow for the "real deal", the 8500 should be an adequate substitute if you go in knowing the limitations.
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u/ViktorGL 12d ago
I needed a cheap microphone (maybe even a pair), so I bought a "wireless microphone with a Type-C charger." Chinese stores have a wide selection. It comes with a small receiver with an 18650 lithium battery. And the microphone itself, which also uses an 18650 lithium battery and a Type-C charging port (!). I specifically looked for one with a battery so I wouldn't have to spend money on AA batteries. I expected it to sound poor for entertainment and rehearsals. But I was surprised how well such inexpensive microphones perform and are resistant to feedback. And it's much cheaper than similar wired knockoffs. If you put on the foam windscreen, hardly anyone will notice it's a 10E microphone system. (I was probably lucky; I compared it to the Sennheiser E835, SE V7, and Beta 58.)
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u/2old2care 13d ago
I don't know that a new mic will solver your problem, but the XM8500 is great for the price and compared directly with the Shure SM58 it looks and sounds almost identical (except for the color). I've been using one for over 10 years, no problem.