Behringer ULTRAVOICE XM8500

brian challoner
June 17, 2009

Rating: 10/10

had the behringer xm triple pack used them for about 3 years totally fault free been dropped dribbled on by kids yes karaoke use great but a bit omni directional still no problem now got xm 500 absolutely fabulous great sound heavy solid and a bonus of no switches so they can\'t turn mics off after every song ,more flexible for users they can now pose without having to hold mic directly to their gobs would recomend them to anybody ,how they get such quality and sound fro this price is a mystery ps i use them with behringer pmx 1200 mixer amp

Adam Innis
April 8, 2008

Rating: 10/10

I bought this as an addition to several sure microphones i already use. My thoughts of standing it at the back for hamony vocals went out of the window as soon as i first heard it in action and it is now the microphone i always use first. I've even somewhat successfully It might be cheap but it's great for all users.

Tom[djep of www.sycoradio.com]
April 6, 2008

Rating: 10/10

this microphone is pretty much an SM58...

i will work for you in the studio and out, recording and live use pretty much the same as the SM58.

is bold of me to say...

but they are pretty much the same...

the only real difference is that the SM58 is more robust but when this XM8500 is below £20... who cares!? =D

Jimmie Bone
October 28, 2007

Rating: 10/10

I'm really only just going to add to what all the other reviewers have said. I have needed a new main live mic for a while now. I've never really got on with SM58s and all the other Behringer gear I've got is top notch so I thought I'd give it a try, for that price, what you got to lose!

The construction makes it feel like an expesive mic for a start, nice weight to it and the sound.... well.... I used it for the first time last night and wow! What a sound, really full, right across the audio spectrum, clear and warm. I rarely use monitors as I normally play with my PA speakers quite close either side, tilted in a bit so I can hear what I'm doing. With my old mic, I would genrally get a bit of boom or threatened feedback as the gig gets louder but not this time.... not even a hint of a feedback problem and it turned into a pretty loud gig!

As I said, I have a fair bit of Behringer gear now and am still amazed at the price, quality and value for money but I have to say, this mic takes first prize out of the lot..... what else can I say.....forget yer SM58... get one of these babys or even a couple at that price!

Service and price from Dolphin was first class as always.

Jimmie Bone
October 28, 2007

Rating: 10/10

I'm really only just going to add to what all the other reviewers have said. I have needed a new main live mic for a while now. I've never really got on with SM58s and all the other Behringer gear I've got is top notch so I thought I'd give it a try, for that price, what you got to lose!

The construction makes it feel like an expesive mic for a start, nice weight to it and the sound.... well.... I used it for the first time last night and wow! What a sound, really full, right across the audio spectrum, clear and warm. I rarely use monitors as I normally play with my PA speakers quite close either side, tilted in a bit so I can hear what I'm doing. With my old mic, I would genrally get a bit of boom or threatened feedback as the gig gets louder but not this time.... not even a hint of a feedback problem and it turned into a pretty loud gig!

As I said, I have a fair bit of Behringer gear now and am still amazed at the price, quality and value for money but I have to say, this mic takes first prize out of the lot..... what else can I say.....forget yer SM58... get one of these babys or even a couple at that price!

Service and price from Dolphin was first class as always.

Iain Evans
June 27, 2007

Rating: 10/10

This mic is unbelieveable, regardless of the extremely low price. I also have a Shure Beta Green mic which cost at least 4 times the price, which I have now given to the bassist in or band for backing!! It really is that good. OK, it doesn't have an on/off switch, but that bothers me not! The sound is much punchier and fuller for my vocals than the Shure and any other mic I have tried. I have owned lots of Behringer gear (guitar amps/bass amps/effects) and continue to recommend them (I have never suffered with the alleged reliability issues some have). Again, delivered lightning fast from Dolphin, with no hassle!! Cheers!

Matt
September 10, 2006

Rating: 10/10

I bought this to replace a clapped out very famous make of mike which had seen very good service. For a fraction of the price I could not believe how the behringer mike outperforms the famous competitor. So far the build quality and ruggedness of the new mike makes it an essential piece of kit. I'll be getting another one soon just to have as a spare.

Tim Berbers
April 21, 2006

Rating: 9/10

Although I've got little experience with the Shure sm58, I have to say that I was amazed by the power of Behringer's Ultravoice xm8500. From all mic's this is probably one of the best vocal mic's I have ever seen.
It's stunning to realize that this mic is far more cheaper than the sm58, while the sound quality is quite the same. The xm8500 is a little more bass-sensitive than the sm58 and the beta by Shure, but that's just a matter of opinion and doesn't say anything about the quality. It depends on what you prefer.
When I bought the mic I was surprised by it's material quality. The mic is very robust and feels really professional. It's heavy so it's nice to hold and seems almost invincible. The mic is being carried in a plastic box that keeps it safe, so you can use that box for taking the mic with you on tour.
The mic is also perfect for studio-recording, because it's easy to connect and the sound-quality is also great. It has a good size, so it won't bother you in the studio.
If you are looking for a great and cheap mic, then you simply have to choose the Behringer xm8500. I'm no dealer for Behringer, I'm just a very happy costumer. It has to be said that this mic could easily take over the vocal mic market. Don't be fooled by the name of Shure, cause this Behringer product is simply the same, but cheaper, and maybe even better.
The only thing you need to know of course, is that this mic is made for vocals (just as the sm58). If you are a vocalizer, then you will like this product. I guarentee it.

craig lewis
March 26, 2006

Rating: 8/10

I bought one of the Behringer XM8500 as a back up, spare mic just in case anything happened to my SM58.
On first trying the mic I was amazed at the qualty of build, it is a good feeling heavy mic,and very amazed at the quality of sound. The sound was nice and rounded with good clean highs, nice mids and just the right amount of bottom end response.It is also virtually impossible to make this mic feedback in normal circumstances.
I have been a pro musician for nearly 20 years and have shown this mic to other experienced pros, and "gear snobs" and even done "blind" tests to see if they knew which was the Behringer and which was the SM58. Out of the 10-12 musicians/singers I have done this test on they all thought that the Behringer was the SM58 because they said it sounded better!!
Needless to say my Behringer is now my main mic and the SM58 my spare. I cannot believe how good this mic is. The mic has also had one or two "accidents"(been dropped)and still works perfectly. I highly recommend these mics to anyone,you can buy 4 or 5 for the price of an SM58 and have plenty of spares!!
To the "gear snobs", give this Behringer gear a go you will be very shocked!

Rich
March 16, 2006

Rating: 10/10

you just can't go wrong with these mics, they're as close as dammit to a SM58 but at a fraction of the cost. Mine arrived yesterday (great service, Dolphin chaps!) and I tried it out in a rehearsal last night. It seems to have a really high output for a budget mic but no squeeks at all; wouldn't hesitate to use it in a gig.