MXL V63MFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 8 mentions across 7 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment63%
PROS 62%
CONS 38%

Rank based on 8 mentions across 7 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a natural-sounding condenser mic that beat the Blue Yeti and SM58 in a direct comparison
  • You're comfortable adding phantom power and a USB interface to your setup
  • You want an affordable mic that can arrive with a shock mount included

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need guaranteed consistency, since owners report unit-to-unit quality variation
  • You don't want to buy extra phantom power or interface gear
  • You prefer a smoother, warmer top end like the MXL 990 offers for vocals

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
31Budget
MXL V63M
Preferred Over Yeti and SM58 in ShootoutGood Value With Included AccessoriesHolds Up Over Long-Term StorageInconsistent Unit-to-Unit QualityRequires Extra Gear to UseSome Prefer Other Models for Vocals
MXL V63M
Preferred Over Yeti and SM58 in Shootout
Good Value With Included Accessories
Holds Up Over Long-Term Storage
Inconsistent Unit-to-Unit Quality
Requires Extra Gear to Use
Some Prefer Other Models for Vocals

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Users found the V63M's sound more natural than rivals in side-by-side tests. One long-time recording engineer who tested the SM58, Blue Yeti, MXL 990, and V63M side by side said he was glad he bought the V63M because he liked it best of the four, with the SM58 a close second. Another user switching from a Blue Yeti called that mic a constant struggle to get natural sounding audio despite extensive testing, and found the comparison video confirmed it wasn't just him, deciding the extra cost of phantom power and a USB interface for an MXL was worth it.

Build quality and consistency vary noticeably between units. A reviewer who owned two V63M units, two MXL 990s, and one MXL 770 reported that all of them sounded different from each other, attributing this to what he called horrible quality control in MXL's Chinese manufacturing. He noted that roughly 70 percent of MXL mics share the same parts or variations of them. Despite the inconsistency, he still considers the V63M a great mic body to install a better capsule into, pricing the overall package around 100 to 200 dollars.

The mic offers solid value and a good base for future upgrades. One buyer said the V63M arrived as an upgrade from an old mic complete with a shock mount, priced at $99 and then $89 after a coupon code, calling it a good deal. Separately, a musician pulled an older V63M out of storage years later for live streaming and found it still performed well, suggesting the mic can hold up over time even after periods of disuse.

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