This question always makes me laugh.
No disrespect, and PLEASE, do not hesitate to ask ANY question.
(The only stupid question is the one that we don't ask)
That said,
SSB on HF has less fidelity than the old landline telephone system.
That's right. Less than a 3,000 Hz bandwidth. In fact, a lot of rigs
don't pass much of anything less than 200 Hz or higher than 2600 Hz.
So we could really fairly call SSB HF a 2400 Hz affair.
That is why the $30 handheld mic that comes with the Icom 7300
(that really contains a 50 cent mic cartridge smaller than a pencil eraser top),
sounds just as good as a $500 recording studio microphone (ON AN SSB HF RADIO).
Is a $100, or $300, or even a $500 recording studio mic better? YES, but ONLY if
your "
system" can let that frequency response through. Any microphone in any
china kid's toy has at least 3000 Hz bandwidth. And an SSB HF radio will not pass
anything more than that. So using a microphone that is more expensive will basically
just waste money. Each microphone, both expensive and cheap, sounds a little different.
But so does just turning the controls on the HF radio mic EQ settings.
If you like Heil, or Shure, or EV, or Rode, or Senheiser, there is nothing wrong buying one
if you just like to "ride in style". It is, afterall, a hobby. So buy whatever makes you smile.
But if you are buying with the idea that it will somehow give you amazing audio?... You are
barking up the wrong tree. The only way an expensive mic will give you amazing audio is
to use it for audio recording or a stage PA system with appropriate audio equipment, not with an SSB radio.
Back to style. If you just like style and want a great looking mic, even though it will still only
transmit ~2500 Hz, then there is NO single right answer. It's a style statement. They all work.
Some of us like Heil mics, some like EV or Shure stage mics, some like Rode;
Ref:
https://www.amazon.com/Rode-PODMIC-Dynamic-Podcasting-Microphone/dp/B07MSCRCVK/(When is the last time you saw a 4.9 review with more than 500 reviews?)
If you want any visitor to think you are a stage pro, this one is timeless, and I used many on stage
in the 1970's and 1980's;
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-55SH-II-Unidyne-Microphone/dp/B0002GZKWU/If you like to feel wealthy and like BIG name recognition, this option would surely satisfy;
https://www.proaudiostar.com/neumann-tlm-102-studio-set-nickel.htmlor for a little less;
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MD421--sennheiser-md-421-ii-cardioid-dynamic-microphoneBuy whatever looks "cool" to you, and you will be happy with the sound. If not, just turn the EQ controls
because any of these mics can do 10x more than your radio can. (You could litterally take an old Western
Electric telephone handset, put it through the appropriate pre-amp, and it would have the same frequency
response as HF SSB.)
[DISCLAIMER: I use the hand mic that comes with the radio. I also use a Heil PR-781G.
I also have a classic D-104 Golden Eagle. I also have a Shure stage mic. I get great audio
reports on all of them, because with a 2400 Hz bandwidth, an open ended soup can with a
piezo element glued to the bottom with hot glue will likely match SSB "quality" (sic). :-) ]
Cheers,
Neal