Shure KSM141From real comments

Verdict distilled from 23 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment63%
PROS 63%
CONS 37%

Rank based on 23 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a mic for drum overheads or snare with a natural, uncolored sound
  • You value having a switchable omni pattern for live/room use
  • You want SM81/Neumann-level quality without paying double

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You only need cardioid and want fewer service issues (get the KSM137 instead)
  • You're recording close-mic'd voice and are sensitive to sibilance
  • You need it for electric guitar rhythm tracking where it can sound shrill

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
31Mid
Shure KSM141
Excellent for drum overheadsGood on acoustic guitar and voiceGreat value vs pricier micsSome prefer other mics overallSlightly sibilant on voiceCan sound shrill on electric guitar
Shure KSM141
Excellent for drum overheads
Good on acoustic guitar and voice
Great value vs pricier mics
Some prefer other mics overall
Slightly sibilant on voice
Can sound shrill on electric guitar

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A go-to choice for drum overheads and snare. Multiple long-term owners say it's the only mic they use for drum overhead recording, and it's praised on snare too. One engineer's college radio station uses a stereo pair specifically for overheads and agrees they sound great, though results were mixed when tried in XY for acoustic guitar in a live broadcast.

Neutral and natural tonal character, brighter than the SM81. Users describe it as nearly flat and neutral compared to the boxy, compressed low-mids of the SM81, noting it's slightly brighter with a different low end. It's called bright yet not spitty, with a soft sibilance region, though a couple of listeners still find it a bit sibilant on voice and shrill on electric guitar rhythm.

Strong value against pricier competitors. Several commenters directly compare it to the Beyerdynamic 930/MC930 and Neumann KM184, saying it holds up well for much less money, and question paying double for those alternatives. Still, some personally prefer the Neumann, Beyerdynamic, or SM81 for vocal work, and one wishes cheaper SDC alternatives like the Schoeps or MBHO KA500 were included in comparisons.

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