Earthworks SR40VFrom real comments

Name: Earthworks SR40V
Rating: 3.4 (15 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 15 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment71%

PROS 71%

CONS 29%

Rank based on 15 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a flat, neutral stage vocal mic with minimal sibilance
You're comparing options against a Neumann KMS 105 for transient detail
You need a versatile mic that also works well on acoustic instruments

What users love

Versatile across vocals and instruments0 mentions

Widely praised

Flat, neutral tonal balance0 mentions

Strongly positive

Minimal sibilance without de-essing0 mentions

Strongly positive

Excellent transient detail0 mentions

Strongly positive

Proven in professional live use0 mentions

Widely praised

Durable for normal stage use0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You need confirmed performance data in high-feedback live situations
You're relying heavily on marketing claims like 'phase and time coherent' without wanting them scrutinized
You want extensive third-party demo videos before purchasing

What users complain about

Limited third-party demo content0 mentions

Generally negative

Confusing marketing language0 mentions

Generally negative

Unconfirmed feedback resistance in live use0 mentions

Generally negative

Unclear suitability for loud amp miking0 mentions

Mildly negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Premium

Sennheiser MKH 8040~$1,399 · similar price

High Owner SatisfactionExceptional Sound ClarityGreat for Field RecordingHigh PriceNot Omnidirectional / More MuffledUltrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble

Sennheiser MKH 8040~$1,399 · similar price

High Owner Satisfaction

Exceptional Sound Clarity

Great for Field Recording

High Price

Not Omnidirectional / More Muffled

Ultrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble

Best value

2Premium

Neumann TLM 193~$1,599 · similar price

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~$1,599 · similar price

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

3Premium

Austrian Audio OC818~$1,199 · similar price

Exceptional versatilitySmooth, transparent soundPost-recording polar pattern flexibilityPremium price pointApp and Bluetooth longevity concernsSkepticism about stepless pattern usefulness

Austrian Audio OC818~$1,199 · similar price

Exceptional versatility

Smooth, transparent sound

Post-recording polar pattern flexibility

Premium price point

App and Bluetooth longevity concerns

Skepticism about stepless pattern usefulness

4Upper

Sennheiser AVX~$899 · 1.6× cheaper

Reliable, plug-and-play operationClean, distortion-free audioSolid build quality

Sennheiser AVX~$899 · 1.6× cheaper

Reliable, plug-and-play operation

Clean, distortion-free audio

Solid build quality

5Upper

Earthworks SR117~$999 · 1.4× cheaper

Excellent off-axis and background noise rejectionFlat, neutral tone that EQs wellStrong alternative to SM58/SM7B/Beta87Much higher price in EuropeLimited availability outside the USNot ideal for very loud stages

Earthworks SR117~$999 · 1.4× cheaper

Excellent off-axis and background noise rejection

Flat, neutral tone that EQs well

Strong alternative to SM58/SM7B/Beta87

Much higher price in Europe

Limited availability outside the US

Not ideal for very loud stages

6Upper

Neumann KM 184~$949 · 1.5× cheaper

Popular as a matched stereo pairExcellent on acoustic guitarTransparent and revealingHard to justify over cheaper alternativesUnforgiving of performance flaws

Neumann KM 184~$949 · 1.5× cheaper

Popular as a matched stereo pair

Excellent on acoustic guitar

Transparent and revealing

Hard to justify over cheaper alternatives

Unforgiving of performance flaws

7Premium

Earthworks QTC40~$1,199 · similar price

Exceptional detail and clarityGreat for stereo/omni pairingThoughtful acoustic designPlacement is fiddly in imperfect roomsConfusing shockmount messagingHigh price point

Earthworks QTC40~$1,199 · similar price

Exceptional detail and clarity

Great for stereo/omni pairing

Thoughtful acoustic design

Placement is fiddly in imperfect rooms

Confusing shockmount messaging

High price point

8Premium

AKG C414 XLII~$1,199 · similar price

Versatile across instrumentsExcellent tonal qualityGood for stereo pairing considerationHigh price hesitationOccasional sibilance

AKG C414 XLII~$1,199 · similar price

Versatile across instruments

Excellent tonal quality

Good for stereo pairing consideration

High price hesitation

Occasional sibilance

9Upper

Sennheiser MD 441~$1,100 · 1.3× cheaper

Excellent sound on drums and vocalsStriking, attractive designRecognizable, notable reputation

Sennheiser MD 441~$1,100 · 1.3× cheaper

Excellent sound on drums and vocals

Striking, attractive design

Recognizable, notable reputation

You are here

10Premium

Earthworks SR40V~$1,399

Versatile across vocals and instrumentsExcellent transient detailFlat, neutral tonal balanceConfusing marketing languageLimited third-party demo contentUnclear suitability for loud amp miking

Earthworks SR40V~$1,399

Versatile across vocals and instruments

Excellent transient detail

Flat, neutral tonal balance

Confusing marketing language

Limited third-party demo content

Unclear suitability for loud amp miking

Versatile
1. Austrian Audio OC818arrow_upward10
2. Neumann TLM 193arrow_upward3
3. Neumann KM 184arrow_upward1
Good value
1. Austrian Audio OC818arrow_upward6
2. Neumann TLM 193arrow_upward3
Expensive
1. Earthworks QTC40arrow_downward1
2. Sennheiser MKH 8040arrow_downward2
3. Austrian Audio OC818arrow_downward4
Low sibilance
1. Neumann TLM 193arrow_upward4
2. Earthworks SR40Varrow_upward2
Versatility
1. AKG C414 XLIIarrow_upward3
2. Sennheiser MD 441arrow_upward1
High sensitivity
1. Earthworks QTC40arrow_upward1
2. Austrian Audio OC818arrow_downward1

Overall Impression

The SR40V delivers a flat, neutral tone that naturally tames sibilance. Earthworks describes the SR40V as designed to be flat and neutral, and a commenter confirms no additional de-essing was needed on a vocal demo despite typically sibilant S, T, SH and CH sounds. This is contrasted with cheaper mics that are top-end hyped and prone to harsh essing, suggesting the SR40V's neutral voicing is a deliberate design choice that pays off in real-world vocal recording without extra processing.

Users find it highly versatile and comparable to premium competitors. One commenter prefers the SR40V over a Neumann KMS 105 for most stage condenser needs, citing unparalleled transient detail, while another reports James Taylor's live sound crew migrated to it for performances. It's also praised on acoustic guitar and instruments generally, and an owner of two units calls the midrange open and clear, indicating broad usefulness across vocal and instrument applications.

Some open questions remain around durability edge cases and marketing claims. Durability is described as equal to an SM-58 in normal use, though not for rough handling like carpentry work. A commenter also pushed back on the phrase 'phase and time coherent' as confusing when applied to a single microphone. Others asked unanswered questions about performance in high-feedback live scenarios and on loud distorted guitar amps, showing some real-world scenarios remain untested by commenters.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

library_musicVersatile across vocals and instruments

3 mentions

Widely praised

Beyond vocals, the SR40V (and related SR40) is praised as sounding amazing on acoustic guitar and other instruments. An owner also describes it as great on vocals with open, clear midrange.

@ADGreen-es6hm

I have 2 earthworks sr40v great Mocs open mid range , clear

smart_display

May 5, 2017

@soundpurestudios

@thaGiLe Thanks, the SR40 is a very sexy microphone on pretty much any acoustic instrument (including drums). As far as SR40v's on Live sound, our understanding is that James Taylor and his folks have migrated everything over to that mic for live performance, and they are working beautifully. Live sound was really the key design consideration, but its quality was so impressive, even in the studio it shined quite nicely. Thanks for your comment, really appreciate your insight!

smart_display

July 9, 2011

@thaGiLe

The SR40 on acoustic guitar is just amazing... I would love to see a review of the SR40V in a live situation, exposed to feedback though. Cheers!

smart_display

July 8, 2011

graphic_eqFlat, neutral tonal balance

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Earthworks designed the SR40V to be flat and neutral rather than top-end hyped, avoiding the excessive brightness common in cheaper mics. This neutral voicing is highlighted as a key reason for its clean sound.

@soundpurestudios

@ilike600baud This is indeed a great microphone- there was no additional de-essing done. As you can tell by the video she was not on top of the mic, but Earthworks microphones are designed to be flat and neutral, the result being something that is no overly top-end hyped not prone to excessive essing. There are a lot of cheap mics out there, and many are hyped in the top and very prone to the behavior you are encountering. We'd gladly talk to you more about your problem and a solution

smart_display

June 19, 2011

@ilike600baud

did you use a de-esser? I've personally been struggling with the sibilance inherent to T, SH, CH and S sounds, and I've gotten pretty good at fixing them with a (semi) parametric eq, but it destroys the brightness of the vocal. I was thinking of either getting some nicer mics, or a de-esser. This mic looks like a candidate, but it's hard for me to believe that this mic as clear as it sounds without that sibilance going crazy. Is she holding back her S sounds, or is the mic just that amazing?

smart_display

June 19, 2011

micMinimal sibilance without de-essing

2 mentions

Strongly positive

A commenter noted the vocal demo had no sibilance issues on S, T, SH and CH sounds despite no additional de-essing being applied. This is attributed directly to the mic's flat, neutral design.

@soundpurestudios

smart_display

June 19, 2011

@ilike600baud

smart_display

June 19, 2011

speedExcellent transient detail

2 mentions

Strongly positive

One commenter states the SR40V has unparalleled transient detail and is preferred over the Neumann KMS 105 in most stage vocal scenarios. Another commenter is actively weighing it against the KMS 105 based on its sound quality.

@soundpurestudios

We haven't shot any other demos with this mic or the Neumann kms 105, unfortunately. Both the kms 105 and the SR40V are great options for stage vocals, but I prefer the Earthworks in most cases where I'd consider using a stage condenser. I feel like it's got unparalleled transient detail. I'd be happy to talk more specifically with you about what mic will be the best choice for your needs. Give us a call at 888 528 9703 and we'll be happy to help you out.

smart_display

February 5, 2013

@KDJFC

Hello, I really like how this microphone sounds and I am torn between this or a neumann kms 105 the problem is I cant find many other demos of this mic even though this sounds great of course. Do you by any chance have any other demos on vocals or know of any?

smart_display

February 4, 2013

campaignProven in professional live use

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter reports that James Taylor and his live sound team migrated fully to the SR40V for touring performances, working beautifully. This real-world professional adoption is cited as evidence of its live sound quality.

@soundpurestudios

smart_display

July 9, 2011

shieldDurable for normal stage use

1 mentions

Widely praised

The SR40V is described as equally durable to an SM-58 in normal use applications, a well-known benchmark for rugged handheld mics. It's noted this durability applies to typical use rather than extreme abuse.

@soundpurestudios

I've worked with a lot of the modeling stuff... and I'm sure one day it will indeed be excellent. Unfortunately that day is off somewhere in the future and not currently available.\n\nWhy are you hung on a U87? They're good mics, but certainly not the pinnacle of the microphone world by any stretch of the imagination!!\n\nAs far as durability - the SM-58 will handle carpentry work better, in normal use applications, the SR40v is equally durable.

smart_display

April 9, 2012

video_libraryLimited third-party demo content

1 mentions

Generally negative

A prospective buyer notes difficulty finding other demos of the SR40V on vocals despite liking the sound, making it harder to fully evaluate before purchase compared to more widely demoed mics like the KMS 105.

@KDJFC

smart_display

February 4, 2013

warningConfusing marketing language

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter criticized the phrase 'phase and time coherent' as used to describe the mic, arguing it makes no sense for a single microphone and should only apply when comparing multiple mics or stereo sound.

@lilgurby

\"Incredibly uhhh...phase and time coherent\"?! This makes no sense when talking about 1 microphone. You only should be talking about phase and coherency between multiple microphones or stereo sound.

smart_display

October 20, 2018

help_outlineUnconfirmed feedback resistance in live use

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter expressed interest in seeing how the SR40V performs in a live situation exposed to feedback, indicating this scenario isn't addressed by existing demos or comments.

@thaGiLe

The SR40 on acoustic guitar is just amazing... I would love to see a review of the SR40V in a live situation, exposed to feedback though. Cheers!

smart_display

July 8, 2011

help_outlineUnclear suitability for loud amp miking

1 mentions

Mildly negative

A commenter asked whether the SR40V can be used to mic a 100-watt distorted tube amp, a question left unanswered in the comments, leaving this use case unconfirmed.

@380stroker

Can the SR40v be used to mic a 100watt distorted tube amp?

smart_display

September 23, 2015

Earthworks SR40Vchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

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What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what (similar price)

Versatile

Good value

Expensive

Low sibilance

Versatility

High sensitivity

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Earthworks SR40VFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression