Earthworks DM20From real comments

Verdict distilled from 16 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment53%
PROS 53%
CONS 47%

Rank based on 16 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a natural, uncolored drum sound instead of a hyped, pre-EQ'd tone
  • You're mainly miking toms or congas where users say it shines
  • You already trust the Earthworks ecosystem and don't mind the cost

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're budget-conscious and think similar results are achievable for less
  • You need a tight snare mic without hi-hat bleed at high placement
  • You lack a pad and worry about hot output clipping your preamp

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Lewitt MTP W950
Studio-quality vocal soundMinimal monitor and drum bleedTrusted for regular gig useDistracting large logoHigh price tag
Lewitt MTP W950
Studio-quality vocal sound
Minimal monitor and drum bleed
Trusted for regular gig use
Distracting large logo
High price tag
2Premium
Sennheiser MKH 8040
High Owner SatisfactionExceptional Sound ClarityGreat for Field RecordingHigh PriceNot Omnidirectional / More MuffledUltrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
Sennheiser MKH 8040
High Owner Satisfaction
Exceptional Sound Clarity
Great for Field Recording
High Price
Not Omnidirectional / More Muffled
Ultrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
3Premium
Sennheiser AVX
Reliable, plug-and-play operationClean, distortion-free audioSolid build quality
Sennheiser AVX
Reliable, plug-and-play operation
Clean, distortion-free audio
Solid build quality
4Premium
Lewitt LCT 640
Post-recording pattern flexibilityVersatile across instrumentsStrong, non-boomy low endPrice barrier for some buyersUnclear M/S and connector design questionsLacking low-mid presence on some vocals
Lewitt LCT 640
Post-recording pattern flexibility
Versatile across instruments
Strong, non-boomy low end
Price barrier for some buyers
Unclear M/S and connector design questions
Lacking low-mid presence on some vocals
5Mid
sE Electronics DynaCaster
Strong overall sound qualityVersatile onboard EQ switchesBuilt-in gain boostHigh price for some buyersUncertain added value over existing setupFiddly dip switches
sE Electronics DynaCaster
Strong overall sound quality
Versatile onboard EQ switches
Built-in gain boost
High price for some buyers
Uncertain added value over existing setup
Fiddly dip switches
6Mid
Shure Beta 57A
Smoother, clearer vocal sound than SM58/SM57Excellent on acoustic guitarDurable, long-lasting buildCan sound harsh in some applicationsAppearance not universally likedInconsistent noise rejection vs SM57
Shure Beta 57A
Smoother, clearer vocal sound than SM58/SM57
Excellent on acoustic guitar
Durable, long-lasting build
Can sound harsh in some applications
Appearance not universally liked
Inconsistent noise rejection vs SM57
7Mid
Sennheiser MD 441
Excellent sound on drums and vocalsStriking, attractive designRecognizable, notable reputation
Sennheiser MD 441
Excellent sound on drums and vocals
Striking, attractive design
Recognizable, notable reputation
8Premium
Telefunken ELA M 251
Smooth, warm characterCompetitive with top-tier micsFull-bodied, rich low endHard to distinguish from cheaper alternativesVery high pricePositioning-sensitive
Telefunken ELA M 251
Smooth, warm character
Competitive with top-tier mics
Full-bodied, rich low end
Hard to distinguish from cheaper alternatives
Very high price
Positioning-sensitive
9Premium
MXL V69M
Rivals the Neumann U67Warm, creamy tube toneAttractive appearance
MXL V69M
Rivals the Neumann U67
Warm, creamy tube tone
Attractive appearance
Best value
10Mid
Neumann TLM 193
Natural, unhyped tonePreferred over U87ai in blind testsLow sibilance / smooth highsAudible distortion noted at price pointCan sound muddy or bass-heavyCardioid-only, unlike multi-pattern siblings
Neumann TLM 193
Natural, unhyped tone
Preferred over U87ai in blind tests
Low sibilance / smooth highs
Audible distortion noted at price point
Can sound muddy or bass-heavy
Cardioid-only, unlike multi-pattern siblings
You are here
31Premium
Earthworks DM20
Natural, uncolored toneGreat on toms and congasStrong snare performance (for some)Inconsistent snare resultsPerceived as overpricedDisliked kick sound
Earthworks DM20
Natural, uncolored tone
Great on toms and congas
Strong snare performance (for some)
Inconsistent snare results
Perceived as overpriced
Disliked kick sound

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Natural, dynamic sound that keeps a drum's true character. Multiple commenters emphasize that the DM20 doesn't strip away attack, tone or dynamics the way other mics can, delivering a more honest representation of the drum. One user contrasts 'pre-equed' mics against natural-detail mics and firmly places the DM20 in the latter camp. Another compared it favorably to trusted reference mics like Schoeps CMC6 on acoustic guitar, suggesting the accurate, uncolored character extends beyond just drums into other instruments as well.

Snare and kick results are inconsistent across users. While one listener called the snare sound 'incredible,' another found the DM20 a 'dud' on snare compared to the 98s and 418s covering the kit better. A separate commenter disliked the kick sound entirely. Practical snare placement also causes hi-hat bleed when raised high enough for correct tone, and the mic's noise floor is described as fairly high, raising concerns about whether that bleed and noise would hurt a final mix.

Price debate: bargain or overpriced depends who you ask. One buyer using the DM20 on acoustic guitar called $330 'a bargain' given the quality achieved. Conversely, another commenter said the mics are 'great looking and functional' but overpriced, preferring cheaper Samsons through a PA instead. A longtime Earthworks TC30k/SR25 owner said the DM20 didn't offer enough improvement over their existing C418s and Beta 98s to justify the extra cost, reinforcing that value perception varies by existing gear and expectations.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?