The Shure SM58 and Shure Beta 58A are two of the most recognisable live vocal microphones ever made. Both are rugged dynamic microphones built for singers, bands, schools, churches, venues and professional live productions—but they do not sound or behave exactly the same.
The SM58 is the dependable industry standard: familiar, forgiving and suitable for almost any voice or stage. The Beta 58A is the premium alternative, offering a tighter pickup pattern, higher output, greater detail and improved isolation on louder stages.
So, is the Beta 58A worth paying extra for, or is the classic SM58 still the better choice? Let’s compare them in practical terms.
Shure SM58 vs Beta 58A at a Glance
| Feature | Shure SM58 | Shure Beta 58A |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone type | Dynamic vocal microphone | Dynamic vocal microphone |
| Pickup pattern | Cardioid | Supercardioid |
| Frequency response | 50Hz–15kHz | 50Hz–16kHz |
| Output | Standard | Approximately 4dB hotter |
| General sound | Smooth, familiar and forgiving | Clearer, brighter and more detailed |
| Handling noise | Low | Lower |
| Grille | Durable steel mesh grille | Hardened, dent-resistant steel grille |
| Monitor placement | Directly behind the microphone | Angled approximately 60° from the rear |
| Best suited to | General-purpose vocals and speech | Lead vocals and louder stages |
| Concert AV price* | $199 | $329 |
*Concert AV pricing as listed on 31 July 2026 and subject to change.
Sound Differences
The SM58 has the classic live vocal sound heard on stages around the world. Its frequency response includes a controlled bass roll-off and a presence boost through the midrange, helping vocals remain audible without producing excessive low-end boom.
In practical terms, the SM58 tends to sound:
- Smooth and slightly warm
- Strong through the vocal midrange
- Controlled at the top end
- Forgiving on bright, harsh or inconsistent voices
The Beta 58A has a more extended frequency response, higher sensitivity and a slightly more refined top end. It generally captures more detail and can make a vocal sound clearer and more immediate.
The Beta 58A tends to sound:
- Brighter and more open
- More detailed through the upper mids and highs
- Tighter and more controlled in the low end
- More present in a busy band mix
That does not automatically make the Beta 58A better. A naturally bright or sibilant singer may prefer the smoother character of the SM58, while a darker voice that struggles to cut through a mix may benefit from the additional clarity of the Beta 58A. Shure itself recommends comparing the microphones side by side because the right choice ultimately depends on the individual voice.
Cardioid vs Supercardioid Pickup Patterns
One of the biggest differences is the area around the microphone from which sound is captured.
The SM58 uses a cardioid pickup pattern. It captures sound primarily from the front, with progressively less sensitivity around the sides and its strongest rejection directly behind the microphone.
This wider front pickup area makes the SM58 reasonably forgiving. A singer can move slightly away from the centre of the grille without the vocal level or tone changing too dramatically.
The Beta 58A uses a narrower supercardioid pickup pattern. It rejects more sound from the sides, providing better separation from drums, guitar amplifiers, other vocalists and general stage noise.
The trade-off is that a supercardioid microphone has a small area of sensitivity directly behind it. The singer also needs to remain more accurately positioned in front of the grille to maintain a consistent sound.
Which Microphone Has Better Feedback Rejection?
The Beta 58A can generally achieve more gain before feedback when it is positioned correctly. Its tighter supercardioid pattern reduces sound entering from the sides, which can be especially useful on loud stages with drum kits, amplifiers and multiple monitor mixes.
However, the Beta 58A is not automatically more feedback-resistant in every setup.
Because it has some sensitivity directly behind the microphone, placing a stage monitor directly behind a Beta 58A can work against its supercardioid design. Its strongest rejection points are approximately 120 to 125 degrees from the front of the microphone.
The SM58’s cardioid pattern has its strongest rejection directly behind the microphone, making it simpler to use with a single floor wedge placed centrally in front of the singer.
Correct microphone and monitor placement matters just as much as the microphone model itself.
Output Level and Sensitivity
The Beta 58A produces an output approximately 4dB hotter than the SM58.
This means the Beta 58A sends a stronger signal to the mixing console and generally requires slightly less microphone preamp gain. On some systems, this can produce a cleaner signal and make the vocal feel more immediate.
A higher output does not necessarily mean the microphone will be louder through the PA. The sound engineer can compensate for output differences using the channel gain. The advantage is mainly stronger signal level and potentially improved signal-to-noise performance.
For schools, churches and bands operating compact or entry-level mixers, the additional output of the Beta 58A can be useful. The SM58 still provides more than enough output for any correctly configured professional mixing console.
Handling Noise
Both microphones use internal pneumatic shock-mounting systems to reduce bumps, vibrations and noise caused by holding or moving the microphone.
The Beta 58A uses Shure’s more advanced shock-mount design and produces less handling noise than the SM58. This can be noticeable with singers who regularly move the microphone, swap it between hands or perform with an energetic stage style.
The SM58 is still very good at controlling handling noise and remains suitable for handheld vocals, public speaking and general event use. The Beta 58A simply provides an improvement for more demanding professional applications.
Durability
Both microphones are built for regular live use.
The SM58 has earned its reputation through decades of touring, venue hire, school productions, rehearsals and live events. Its metal body, steel mesh grille and internal shock mount are designed to cope with accidental drops and everyday stage use.
The Beta 58A is equally rugged but adds a hardened steel mesh grille that is more resistant to denting. That can be valuable for touring singers, hire companies and busy venues where microphones are frequently transported and handled by different users.
For schools and churches, either microphone should provide years of service when stored properly and used with a suitable microphone clip, cable and protective pouch.
Stage Volume and Monitor Placement
The SM58 is often the easier microphone to integrate into a straightforward stage setup.
With a cardioid SM58, a floor monitor can normally be positioned directly in front of the singer and aimed toward the rear of the microphone. This places the monitor in the microphone’s least sensitive area.
With a Beta 58A, avoid aiming the monitor directly at the rear of the microphone. Shure recommends placing monitors approximately 60 degrees to either side of the microphone’s rear axis.
For a singer using two wedges, the Beta 58A can work particularly well because the wedges can be placed near its two strongest rejection angles.
The Beta 58A may be the stronger option when:
- The stage is loud
- The singer needs substantial monitor volume
- There are multiple vocal microphones close together
- Drum and amplifier spill is entering the vocal channel
- The monitor positions can be arranged correctly
The SM58 may be easier when:
- The stage setup changes regularly
- Volunteers or students operate the sound system
- A single monitor sits directly in front of the singer
- Different performers share the same microphone
- Simple and predictable operation is the priority
Price Difference
At the time of writing, Concert AV lists the Shure SM58 at $199 and the Shure Beta 58A at $329. That makes the Beta 58A approximately $130 more expensive.
For one main vocalist, that additional cost may be easy to justify. The singer receives a hotter output, tighter pickup, lower handling noise, greater detail and a more dent-resistant grille.
For a school, church or venue purchasing six, eight or ten microphones, the difference becomes much more significant. In those situations, fitting out the entire stage with SM58 microphones may offer better overall value.
Another practical option is to use Beta 58A microphones for the main lead vocalists and SM58 microphones for backing vocals, announcements and general-purpose duties.
Which Microphone Suits Different Voices?
Bright or Sibilant Voices
The smoother top end of the SM58 may help control voices that already have plenty of treble, sharp consonants or strong “S” sounds.
Darker or Softer Voices
The Beta 58A’s additional presence and detail may help a darker voice sound clearer and cut through a band mix more effectively.
Powerful Rock Vocalists
Either microphone can work well. The SM58 delivers a familiar, solid rock vocal sound, while the Beta 58A offers tighter isolation and extra clarity on a loud stage.
Singers With Good Microphone Technique
The Beta 58A rewards singers who remain close to the grille and maintain a consistent microphone position.
Singers Who Move Around the Microphone
The SM58’s wider cardioid pickup pattern is generally more forgiving when a performer moves off-axis or varies the microphone angle.
The best microphone is still the one that complements the individual singer. A more expensive microphone is not guaranteed to suit every voice.
Which Microphone Is Best for Bands?
For rehearsal rooms, pub gigs, community events and general live performance, the SM58 remains extremely difficult to beat. It is dependable, familiar to sound engineers and easy to use with conventional monitor placement.
The Beta 58A is worth considering for a dedicated lead singer performing with loud drums, guitar amplifiers or multiple monitor wedges. Its tighter pattern can help keep the vocal channel cleaner, provided the singer has reasonably consistent microphone technique.
Which Microphone Is Best for Schools?
For school assemblies, productions, presentations and student bands, the SM58 is usually the most practical choice.
It costs less, handles different voices well and has a forgiving pickup pattern. It is also easy for students, teachers and volunteer operators to understand.
A Beta 58A can be a worthwhile addition for the lead role in a school musical, a featured soloist or a vocalist performing in front of a loud band. A mixed microphone package can provide the best balance between performance and budget.
Which Microphone Is Best for Churches?
The right choice depends on the worship team and stage layout.
The SM58 is an excellent general-purpose church microphone for worship vocals, announcements, guest speakers and events. Its cardioid pattern works well with a traditional single-wedge monitor setup.
The Beta 58A can provide better isolation for lead worship vocalists, particularly when drums, amplifiers and other singers are nearby. Churches using correctly positioned wedges or in-ear monitoring may gain the most benefit from its tighter pattern.
Which Microphone Is Best for Venues and Hire Companies?
The SM58 remains the obvious all-rounder for venue microphone inventories. Visiting performers know how it sounds, engineers know how it behaves and replacements are readily available.
The Beta 58A makes sense as a premium lead vocal option. Venues can keep a selection available for artists who want greater output, more detail and tighter stage isolation.
For a hire company, stocking both models provides flexibility across corporate events, bands, schools, theatre productions and professional concerts.
Our Verdict
Choose the Shure SM58 when you want:
- A proven general-purpose vocal microphone
- Smooth and forgiving sound
- Simple monitor placement
- Reliable performance across many different voices
- Excellent value when purchasing multiple microphones
- A microphone for schools, churches, venues or shared use
Choose the Shure Beta 58A when you want:
- A clearer and more detailed vocal sound
- Approximately 4dB more output
- Better side rejection on loud stages
- Lower handling noise
- A tougher, dent-resistant grille
- A premium microphone for a dedicated lead vocalist
For most general live sound applications, the SM58 remains the safest and most versatile choice. For a serious vocalist who wants more clarity and isolation—and whose stage monitors can be positioned correctly—the Beta 58A is a genuine upgrade.
Find Shure Microphones at Concert AV Melbourne
Concert AV supplies Shure vocal microphones, PA systems, mixers, stage monitors and live sound equipment for singers, bands, schools, churches and venues across Melbourne.