The Beta 57 has that knew more powerful magnet material in it. That provides for a greater output level. Its high-end frequency response has also been extended. It is a nice microphone that now sounds nothing like the venerable SM57. Not to say that it's bad, it's just another different microphone. 57s have their place in history and engineering preferences. A beta 57 does NOT REPLACE the old SM57. So get some of the old ones for your guitar cabinets and snare drums. Besides you'll save a few bucks in the process. New does not mean better.

The old fogey
Remy Ann David

different magnets

I have the Beta 58, and am quite familiar with the standard 57 and 58.
My new Beta 58 sounds brittle. I had a Beta green which I liked better. Sure makes great mics, generally, but the beta 58 is not one of their best efforts.

For perspective, I own about 20 mics, all different, many quite expensive by comparison. If I wanted a vocal dynamic mic for live use, I would check out the better audix stuff, and the ev line as well as the regular sm58. t

Well yes, I too have a few beta 58s and the beta 57 is the same thing without the big round pop filter. I wouldn't necessarily say brittle but it does have another octave of high end the standard 57/58 doesn't have. I'm really do believe that a certain amount of " bandwidth limiting" microphones are important. Not everything needs the widest frequency response possible to evoke a good recording. I have always said in this pertains to frequency response at times," less is more".

Remy Ann David

The beta 58 sounds brighter than the SM58, as well as having a hotter output. The beta tends to suit breathy female vocals better, but for male vox I usually prefer the classic version.

I've never compared the beta 57 to the SM57 directly, but I'm quite a fan of the [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.shure.co…"]beta 56[/]="http://www.shure.co…"]beta 56[/] for snare and toms, though I would ignore their suggestion to use them for guitar cabs, they suck on guitar cabs IMO :wink:

Beta vs SM

One other difference that may need mentioning. It would probably make a little more difference live than studio, but the pickup pattern is different between the Betas and SMs. SMs are cardioid, Betas are supercardioid. At least with the 57 and 58. Not 100% sure about the others off the top of my head.

I bought my Beta58 about eight years ago and have been pretty happy with it for vox live. For studio I prefer a decent condenser for vox. Are you planning on using it for a specific application or simply another flavor to your mic collection?

I use the Beta 57A at the frt of my cab,and a KSM32 about 8 ft away from the cab to get the room,nice combo,nice sound :)
I would diffently get a Beta 57A for youre mic collection.
Im my opinion,its a better mic for studio----use the 57 for live situations.

"old heads" love the SM-57, I am between an "old head" and new school and I love the Beta 57a on Snare. Really brings the brightness of it out....

I use the sm on the bottom however.....

Just a matter of taste.

I've always like the Beta57 on top of the snare...not every time, but most of the time it sounds cool.