For more than 50 years the Shure SM57 has been an icon for musicians and sound engineers. This microphone has become a standard for its robust construction and its reliability in handling high sound pressures well; it is no coincidence that since 1965 every president of the United States has transduced their speeches from the lectern of the white house with the SM 57.
Although designed for orchestral miking, the SM 57 has become famous for its use in the rock music (musical genre hated by its inventor, Seeler).
As we know, every icon becomes a point of reference and many then try to imitate it. This is the case of the JTS PDM 57, a Chinese 45 euro replica.
We tried to compare the two microphones with the following musical instruments:
- Snare drum
- Floor tom
- Acoustic guitar
- Electric guitar
Our conclusions? The two microphones are identical only in form!
Lo SHURE SM57 has a solid and robust construction while the JTS PDM57 it is affected by the economy of the materials used. As for the sound paste, the two microphones are objectively different. The PDM57 sounds different from the SM57 and it is not a bad judgment.
To you the listening and the judgment.
