Shure BETA 58A dynamic microphone: features and spec-based rating

Shure’s BETA 58A is a supercardioid dynamic microphone with XLR connection.

A dynamic microphone is tough and picks up little surrounding sound. It suits streaming and recording vocals at home in a room whose echo is a problem.

In this article we rate it on 4 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 17 dynamic microphones we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 17 dynamic microphones, BETA 58A is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 3.8.

Strengths

• Ease of getting enough gain (2.6 mV/Pa, 5 points): Even an entry-level audio interface is unlikely to run short of level.
• Rejection of surrounding sound (Supercardioid, 5 points): It picks up little from outside the front, so surrounding sound gets in less.

Things to keep in mind

• Features (1 of 5, 2 points): The features of the body are simple.

Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people who want to record without gain trouble, even with an entry-level audio interface; people who want to pick up less everyday noise and room echo.

Main features of BETA 58A

A supercardioid that picks up little surrounding sound

The pickup pattern is supercardioid, which is narrower than an ordinary cardioid and is said to resist surrounding sound and feedback (the squeal that happens when the microphone picks up the sound of a speaker). The direction in which it picks up least is not directly behind but diagonally behind (120°).

High output from a neodymium magnet

It uses a neodymium magnet, which gives high sensitivity and a large output (2.6 mV). The same voice produces a bigger signal from the microphone, so you do not have to turn the gain knob on the audio interface up too far.

A vocal-tuned sound and a tough build

The sound is tuned for vocals, with a brighter midrange and weaker lows to reduce the proximity effect. It has a hard steel mesh grille, a built-in pop filter and an air-supported shock mount. A microphone holder A25D, an adapter screw and a storage bag are included.

Where it is useful

• Live streams where you sing with speakers playing
• Recording only your voice clearly in a room with a lot of everyday noise
• Recording a vocalist who sings loudly

Rating by criterion

Ease of getting enough gain: 5 / 5

Whether you can get a good level without turning the gain knob of the audio interface up too far. USB models raise the level inside the microphone and get full marks.

BETA 58A: 2.6 mV/Pa. That is a high rating among the products we compared. Even an entry-level audio interface is unlikely to run short of level.

High-frequency range: 3 / 5

How high a sound it can record (the upper limit of the frequency response).

BETA 58A: 16,000 Hz. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Rejection of surrounding sound: 5 / 5

How little it picks up sound from outside the front of the microphone (everyday noise and room echo), decided by the pickup pattern.

BETA 58A: Supercardioid. That is a high rating among the products we compared. It picks up little from outside the front, so surrounding sound gets in less.

Features: 2 / 5

How many features of the body it has, such as USB and XLR connections, a low-cut and a headphone jack.

BETA 58A: 1 of 5. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. The features of the body are simple.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 17 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (Dynamic microphones)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Ease of getting enough gain	Sensitivity at the XLR output (USB models have a built-in preamp and get full marks)	≥2.5	≥2	≥1.6	≥1.3	<1.3
High-frequency range	Upper limit of the frequency response	≥20000	≥18000	≥16000	≥15000	<15000
Rejection of surrounding sound	Pickup pattern	Supercardioid / hypercardioid	—	Cardioid (unidirectional)	—	—
Features	USB, XLR, low-cut, presence, headphone jack	4 to 5	3	2	1	None

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. "Ease of getting enough gain" answers the common question "do I need a preamp (booster)?". Over XLR, the higher the sensitivity (mV/Pa), the less you need to turn up the gain on the audio interface. Models that can also connect by USB have a preamp inside the microphone, so there is no worry about running short of gain and they get 5 points. Rejection of surrounding sound is decided by the pickup pattern: supercardioid and hypercardioid, which pick up little from outside the front, score highest. Weight is shown in the table for reference.

BETA 58A connection and getting started

Connection	XLR (3-pin). Connect it to the microphone input of an audio interface or mixer (it cannot connect to a computer directly by USB)
Power	No power is needed (it is a dynamic microphone, so it works without phantom power)
In the box	Microphone holder A25D, adapter screw and storage bag (an XLR cable is not included)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Compared with other dynamic microphones

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It connects by XLR. You need an audio interface or mixer. It is a dynamic microphone, so it does not need phantom power (+48 V).
• Check what comes in the box. The manufacturer lists: Microphone holder A25D, adapter screw and storage bag (an XLR cable is not included). Anything not on that list (a microphone stand, cables and so on) you need to prepare separately.

Read next

• e 945: features and rating (rank A)
• SM7dB: features and rating (rank S)
• SM7B: features and rating (rank B)
• e 835: features and rating (rank B)