Comparing Neumann U87 Ai and Shure SM7B
Experts recommend Shure SM7B more than Neumann U87 Ai
As of 2 Aug 2022, experts prefer Shure SM7B over Neumann U87 Ai, but both Microphones have solid expert endorsements.
As per this month's meta ranking, Shure SM7B received 3 recommendations: from PianoDreamers (27 Jan 2022), Just Creative (29 Apr 2022) and MusicTech (6 Apr 2022). By contrast, Neumann U87 Ai received only 2 recommendations from PianoDreamers (27 Jan 2022) and MusicTech (6 Apr 2022).
Curious to see this month's entire Microphones ranking? It's here
Endorsement summary:
- On 27 Jan 2022
PianoDreamers ranked Shure SM7B as #8 and Neumann U87 Ai as #11 Rank Microphone Comment ... ... ... #8 out of 11 Shure SM7B Best known as MJ's Vocal Mic... ... ... #11 out of 11 Neumann U87 Ai The King of MicrophonesSource: www.pianodreamers.com - On 6 Apr 2022
MusicTech ranked Shure SM7B as #10 and Neumann U87 Ai as #13 Rank Microphone ... ... #10 out of 15 Shure SM7B ... ... #13 out of 15 Neumann U87 Ai ... ... Source: www.musictech.net - On 29 Apr 2022
Just Creative ranked Shure SM7B as #6 Rank Microphone Comment ... ... ... #6 out of 20 Shure SM7B The best high-end microphone... ... ... Source: justcreative.com
Verdict
After counting and adding up the 107 expert endorsements of the May rankings, Shure SM7B outranks Neumann U87 Ai. This is not to say that Neumann U87 Ai is a bad option. Like Shure SM7B, it is recommended by experts, but less.
Neumann U87 Ai 
Shure SM7B Customers like Shure SM7B way more
At ReviewFinder we prefer to focus on professional product reviews, because customer reviews can be disproportionately affected by unrelated factors such as delivery, specific seller listing problems, and, of course, fake reviews. With that said, below is the summary of consumer sentiment.
Shure SM7B
CS of 10 is similar to a 4.8 star review, CS of 0 is similar to a 2 star review.
Shure SM7B, the cheaper option, tends to get more favorable reviews than Neumann U87 Ai.
As can be seen in the chart above, median best-selling microphone receives a consumer score of 8.7 (great). Shure SM7B ranks higher than that and Neumann U87 Ai ranks lower than that.
| Neumann U87 Ai | |
| Shure SM7B |
10.0 Amazing
|
| Median best-selling Microphone |
8.7 Great
|
Shure SM7B is more popular than Neumann U87 Ai
It's fairly safe to say that Shure SM7B is a more popular microphone than Neumann U87 Ai, based on its 7,000+ reviews. Popularity is determined based on product sales. Note that older and cheaper products tend to sell more.
To consider
| Table: Top compared alternatives for Neumann U87 Ai and Shure SM7B | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Warm Audio WA-47 | $948 | 2 expert recommendations | ||
 | Sennheiser MD 421 II | $394 | 2 expert recommendations | Cheaper | |
 | AKG C636 | $463 | 2 expert recommendations | ||
 | Shure SM7B | $398 |
 10.0 Amazing
| 3 expert recommendations | |
| Rank | Change | Price | Microphone | Music Grotto  | Tom's Guide  | PianoDreamers | Just Creative | CBR  | Music Radar  | IGN  | PC Gamer  | MusicTech | CNN Underscored  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | $249 |  Shure MV7 | - | - | - | 8 | - | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | - |
| 2 | - | $82 |  Blue Yeti | - | 1 | - | 19 | - | - | - | - | 11 | 1 |
| 3 | +2 | $99 |  Rode PodMic | - | 3 | - | - | - | - | 5 | - | 1 | - |
| 4 | +9 | $28 |  Fifine K669 | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 2 |
| Show all rows | |||||||||||||
Expert reviews [6]
- with a score: 3
- without a score: 3
| Highest score by yourlocalmusician.com | 100 |
| Average score based on 6 reviews | 96 |
| Lowest score by Music Critic | 92 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
Expert reviews [22]
- with a score: 8
- without a score: 14
| Highest score by Music Radar | 100 |
| Average score based on 22 reviews | 94 |
| Lowest score by Music Critic | 86 |
Score distribution:
| 80-100 | |
| 60-80 | |
| 40-60 | |
| 20-40 | |
| 0-20 |
- 3 selectable directional patterns: omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-810dB attenuation switch127dB SPL handling 20Hz to 20kHz response Impedance rated at 200 ohms.
- Read more
- ONE MICROPHONE FOR EVERYTHING - Studio Recording, Home Recording, Podcasting and Streaming. The SM7B Is Trusted By The Worlds Leading Vocalists, Podcasters and Streamers.
- STUDIO VOCAL RECORDING - The SM7B’s Dynamic Cartridge With Smooth, Flat, Wide-range Frequency Response Produces Exceptionally Clean and Natural Reproduction Of Both Music and Speech.
- Read more
Neumann U87 Ai is a well-known and one of the most expensive options. It's in the top 3 bestselling microphones and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Audio Technica AT5040 or Royer Labs R-121 .
Neumann U87 Ai is $3204.52 more expensive than an average microphone ($90.48).
Shure SM7B is a very popular and one of the most expensive options. It's in the top 3 bestselling microphones and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Sennheiser MD 421 II or Audio-Technica 4033A .
Shure SM7B is $307.52 more expensive than an average microphone ($90.48).
