Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Shure 522 Desktop Microphone (Unidirectional)

Category: Microphones for ham radio

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Shure 522 Desktop Microphone (Unidirectional)
Reviews: 13MSRP: 89.00 (Lowest Price)
Description:
The Model 522 is a dynamic base station microphone designed especially for radio communications, paging, and dispatching systems. Its cardioid (unidirectional) pickup pattern suppresses unwanted background noise -- the type of noise generated by other dispatchers working nearby, by ventilating equipment, or by office machines in the same area.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/522.asp
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00134.8
NL7W Rating: 2005-11-11
Shure 522 Desktop Mic = Superior Performance! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
For a %5.00 microphone from eBay, this like-new microphone performs better than every mic I've had in the shack. My 850Sat has never sounded better. See the other reviews for the technical details.

Snatch one up from eBay when they're available.

73.
VU2TTP Rating: 2005-03-29
Great performer Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I picked up an used Shure 522 on ebay for less than 25$. It was in a pretty good shape for a second hand unit.

I have been using it along with my favourite TS830S and the duo has been performing too well.
Most of the stations I work on 40M have appreciated the warm and punchy audio.

Working weak DX so far has been pretty easy with this Mic and I intend buying atleast two more of these wonderful microphones.

Lastly, I want to hook up an EQ to this combo and see if I can trim the 400Hz component.
KC8VWM Rating: 2003-09-08
Sounds like a Heil Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After I was looking at a Heil Goldline Pro microphone, I was interested to see if there were other comparable mics on the market that offered a similar sound but without the price.

I am now sharing this research with users here on Eham.

First the price - $89.00 can be picked up brand new in the box here:

http://www.thecrazycuban.com/shure522.html

The amazing part about this microphone is the incredible frequency range it offers.

As many "audiophiles" know, a microphones frequency range is going to be the first observation when it comes to how a microphone is going to sound.

Generally speaking, the frequency low end results in a deeper and richer sound. The high end results in more "crispness."

Heil Goldline Pro = 40 to 18,000 Hz
Shure 450 Series II = 200Hz to 5,000 Hz.
Kenwood MC-60A = 150 Hz to 10,000 Hz
Shure 522 = 40Hz to 10,000 Hz.

I was surprised to see that most amateur mics only have a typical frequency range from only 200 - 5,000 Hz.

While they may still sound good, They are only able to reproduce your audio to a "carbon copy" reproduction of your voice.

The Shure 522 mic reproduces your audio "in full color" Similar to broadcast or "Hi Fi" quality.

While looking and comparing frequency charts I thought it was rather curious to note that the 522 was very close in specifications to the Heil Goldline Pro in the graphs below.

This first graph (Shure 450) is a typical ham microphone frequency range for comparison.

Shure 450 Series II Frequency Curve:

http://www.shure.com/images/response/f450series2_large.gif

(looks like it drops off at 8,000 HZ)

Heil Goldline Pro Frequency Curve:

http://www.heilsound.com/Images/Heil-Mic-Frequency-response.jpg

(Heil claims A +4dB peak @2kHz gives the Goldline microphone excellent voice articulation. They dub it "Hi Fi" quality for SSB. You will also notice that the curve drops sharply just after 10,000 - 12,000 HZ.)

Now for the Shure 522 Frequency Curve:

http://www.shure.com/images/response/f522_large.gif

(The frequency curve also rises above +4 and even better db@2khz. The mic is rated at 10,000Hz, however if you notice it actually doesn't drop off until 12,000hz. Notice the low end reaches well into the 40hz range.

Conclusion:

The specifications of the Shure 522 are almost identical to the Heil Goldline Pro. In fact the Shure 522 outperforms the Heil model HC 5, and HC 4 right out of the ballpark!

The fact that this is a unidirectional mic will also "boost" the forward sensitivity range of the microphone. This means you do not require any forward amplification. It will definetly outperform a handheld mic for "loudness." Yet it will sound rich and have a unique full bodied sound. Wont sound like a "carbon copy" of your voice.

Also because it is unidirectional, it should eliminate radio fan and other background noises at your station. I am convinced this mic will provide you with studio quality sound.

I just bought the 522 on ebay brand new in the box from an audiophile - non ham radio person for a grand total of $10.00! It was actually listed under the "audio" section along with EQ's amps and other music production equipment.

I guess no hams bid on this item because it wasn't listed in the usual ham radio equipment section.


73

Charles Bushell

KC8VWM