Can someone help me in my choice between 2 mics?

[parablue74]

Hi there,
I'm trying to obtain a handheld condenser vocal mic for a female singer on live situation. Trust me, we have tested almost every of these mics on her voice and the biggest winner is the AKG C535 vs Sennheiser E865. Mics we didn't test was the Neumann KMS105 (over budget!) and the Maudio Aries. All the rest like Audix, Rode S1 and Shure SM86 all didn't meet up to the expectations of her voice.
The C535 and E865 both mark up to almost the same price, equal in tone. The C535 was slightly louder as compared to the E865.
These are the comparison specs of the 2 mics=>
C535EB:
Pattern: Cardiod
Frequency Range: 20-20k
Distortion: 137THD at 1%
Sensity: 7 mv/Pa
Nominal Impedance: 200 ohms

E865:
Pattern: Supercardiod
Frequency Range: 40-20k
Distortion: 150THD at 1%
Sensity: 3 mv/Pa
Nominal Impedance: 200 ohms

It seems as though the C535EB seems a better choice due to less distortion, more sensitivity and a wider freq response. However, i am quite concern with the feedback rejection status, seems handheld condensers suffer more probably feedback issues than dynamics on live stage. E865 being a supercardiod seems to have more isolation of signal, which might mark better feedback rejection. But i am not too sure about this. I have never tested both of this mikes on live situation...

Can anyone who have either tested these mikes or who is more familiar to advice me on which mic would be a better choice for her scenario???

 

[blueprintstudios]

i once bought a female vocalist a sennheisser e845 (I think) , on that day happens so she was performing. the shure sm58 on stage didn't sound as good as the e845 as she tested her birthday gift on stage. and I think i recall there wasn't much feedback. sennheisser's more popular for the feedback rejection side I guess.

your call. I'd stick with senheisser if I were you. cos end of the day, the audience won't even care.

20¢ worth

 

[parablue74]

Yupz... I bought the Akg C535EB instead... Fantastic choice!!!
Used it on hihats, and it provided with professional sound as well as pure isolation. In fact, the isolation was soo good, it felt off the rest of the drum recording, since the rest were leaking to each other, the hihat sound was purely a good isolation. But that is easily dealt with.
On vocals, it was clear, detailed and crispy, with little self noise if any at all. Very natural!! It has became one of my favourite mics in my collection, though it isn't cheap!