OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Microphones Methodology v1.0
Microphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Microphones Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Shure 55SH Series II Review | 76 Data compared

Avg. price:~£170Connection type:XLRTransducer type:dynamicMax SPL:?Supported sample rates:N/A kHzOutput connector type:XLR

Shure 55SH Series II Review: Compare 76 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Microphones category and whether it is worth buying.

6.1

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the microphone's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best microphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components

75%

5.6

Technical score

25%

7.6

User score

â–¼Worse than 90% of microphones
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components

20%

7.2

Audio Performance

20%

4.0

Recording

16%

3.2

Pickup Patterns

16%

6.4

Controls & Features

10%

7.0

Power

7%

7.2

Compatibility

5%

5.2

Connectivity

3%

5.7

Design

3%

8.3

Accessories

â–¼Worse than 88% of microphones
7.6

User score

User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

9.2

User ratings

30%

3.9

Number of reviews

Based on 18 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 91% of microphones
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of microphone Shure 55SH Series II

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Microphones category across these key areas: Audio Performance, Connectivity, Recording, Pickup Patterns, Controls & Features, Power, Design, Accessories, Compatibility.
When it matters
When you want to compare microphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
Score components:

20%

7.2

Audio Performance

20%

4.0

Recording

16%

3.2

Pickup Patterns

16%

6.4

Controls & Features

10%

7.0

Power

7%

7.2

Compatibility

5%

5.2

Connectivity

3%

5.7

Design

3%

8.3

Accessories

5.6
User score
User score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

70%

9.2

User ratings

30%

3.9

Number of reviews

Based on 18 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.6
Popularity
Popularity
3.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the microphone.
When it matters
When you prefer to buy a product chosen and reviewed by many other consumers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Popularity:
Shure 55SH Series II has a popularity score of 3.9 points, which is lower than 64.8% of microphones.
3.9
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the microphone's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a microphone with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components:

60%

6.1

Overall score

40%

9.6

Price

7.2
Microphone type
studio
Transducer type
dynamic
Diaphragm size
?
Capsule type
single
Sensitivity
-58 dBV/Pa
Show more
Connection type
XLR
Output connector type
XLR
Headphone output
no
Headphone output
no
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
This microphone does not include a headphone output. 62.8% of microphones include this output.
3.5 mm audio jack
no
3.5 mm audio jack
no
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
This microphone does not include a 3.5 mm jack. 63.3% of microphones include this connector.
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
6.35 mm audio jack connector
no
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
This microphone does not include a 6.35 mm jack. 2% of microphones include this connector.
Show more
Supported sample rates
N/A
Supported bit depths
N/A
Audio interface sample rate
N/A
Audio interface bit depth
N/A
Signal-to-noise ratio (DAC)
N/A
Show more
N. of polar patterns
1
N. of polar patterns
1
â–¼ Worse than 25% of models
Market range: <1 – >4
The number of selectable polar patterns offered by this microphone is 1, which is lower than that of 24.6% of microphones and equal to that of 75.4% of microphones.
Cardioid pattern
yes
Cardioid pattern
yes
â–² Better than 9% of models
This microphone supports a cardioid pickup pattern. 91% of microphones support this pattern.
Omnidirectional pattern
no
Omnidirectional pattern
no
â–¼ Worse than 26% of models
This microphone does not support an omnidirectional pickup pattern. 26.1% of microphones support this pattern.
Hypercardioid pattern
no
Hypercardioid pattern
no
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
This microphone does not support a hypercardioid pickup pattern. 1.5% of microphones support this pattern.
Bidirectional pattern
no
Bidirectional pattern
no
â–¼ Worse than 17% of models
This microphone does not support a bidirectional pickup pattern. 17.1% of microphones support this pattern.
Mute function
yes
Mute function
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This microphone includes a mute function. 67.8% of microphones include this control.
Onboard gain control
no
Onboard gain control
no
â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
This microphone does not include onboard gain control. 51.3% of microphones include this control.
Volume control levels
0
Volume control levels
0
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Market range: <0 – >2
This microphone offers volume output of 0 which is lower than that of 65.7% of microphones and equal to that of 34.3% of microphones.
Flat DSP mode
no
Flat DSP mode
no
â–¼ Worse than 26% of models
This microphone does not support a flat DSP mode. 25.6% of microphones offer this processing option.
DSP presets
0
DSP presets
0
â–¼ Worse than 17% of models
Market range: <0 – >3
This microphone offers 0 DSP presets, which is fewer than 16.6% of microphones and equal to 83.4% of microphones.
Show more
Phantom power required
no
Phantom power required
no
â–² Better than 10% of models
This microphone does not require phantom power. 90.5% of microphones also operate without phantom power.
Phantom power voltage
N/A
USB bus-powered
no
USB bus-powered
no
â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
This microphone does not support USB bus power. 86.4% of microphones support USB-powered operation.
Battery life
N/A
Height
188 mm
Height
188 mm
â–¼ Worse than 52% of models
Market range: <130 mm – >252.8 mm
This microphone is 188 mm tall, which is taller than 52.3% of microphones and equal in height to 1.5% of microphones.
Width
55.6 mm
Width
55.6 mm
â–² Better than 52% of models
Market range: <48 mm – >109 mm
This microphone is 55.6 mm wide, which is narrower than 52.3% of microphones.
Thickness
77.8 mm
Thickness
77.8 mm
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Market range: <45 mm – >114 mm
This microphone is 77.8 mm thick, which is thicker than 66.3% of microphones.
Weight
?
Body material
metal
Show more
Included accessories
mount adapter
Shock mount included
yes
Shock mount included
yes
â–² Better than 51% of models
This microphone includes a shock mount. 49.3% of microphones include this accessory.
Pop filter included
yes
Pop filter included
yes
â–² Better than 40% of models
This microphone includes a pop filter. 60.3% of microphones include this accessory.
Windscreen included
no
Windscreen included
no
â–¼ Worse than 32% of models
This microphone does not include a windscreen. 31.8% of microphones include this accessory.
Cable length
N/A
Android compatibility
no
Android compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
This microphone is not compatible with Android. 66.3% of microphones are compatible with Android.
iOS compatibility
no
iOS compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
This microphone is not compatible with iOS. 61.8% of microphones are compatible with iOS.
Requires external audio interface.
Windows compatibility
yes
Windows compatibility
yes
Category Benchmark
This microphone is compatible with Windows. 100% of microphones are compatible with Windows.
Requires audio interface.
macOS compatibility
yes
macOS compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 1% of models
This microphone is compatible with macOS. 99.5% of microphones are compatible with macOS.
Requires audio interface.
Xbox compatibility
no
Xbox compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 2% of models
This microphone is not compatible with Xbox. 1.5% of microphones are compatible with Xbox.
Show more

Shure 55SH Series II vs the average microphone

246810TotalAudio PerformanceConnectivityRecordingPickup PatternsControls & FeaturesPowerDesignAccessoriesCompatibility
  • Supports balanced output
    Balanced output
    yes
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    This microphone supports balanced output, the average microphone does not.
  • Includes shock mount
    Shock mount included
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This microphone includes a shock mount, the average microphone does not.
  • Supports balanced output
    Balanced output
    yes
    â–² Better than 79% of models
    This microphone supports balanced output, the average microphone does not.
  • Includes shock mount
    Shock mount included
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This microphone includes a shock mount, the average microphone does not.
  • No zero-latency monitoring
    Zero-latency monitoring
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    This microphone does not support zero-latency monitoring, the average microphone does.
  • No gain control
    Onboard gain control
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    This microphone does not include onboard gain control, the average microphone does.
  • 5,000 Hz lower high-frequency limit
    Highest frequency
    15,000 Hz
    â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
    Market range: <15k Hz – >20k Hz
    This microphone has a lower high-frequency limit than the average microphone (15000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a high-frequency limit of 20000 Hz.
    15,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 30 Hz higher low-frequency limit
    Lowest frequency
    50 Hz
    â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
    Market range: <20 Hz – >50 Hz
    This microphone has a higher low-frequency cutoff than the average microphone (50 Hz vs 20 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a low-frequency limit of 20 Hz.
    50 Hz vs 20 Hz
  • No USB bus power
    USB bus-powered
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
    This microphone does not support USB bus power, the average microphone does.
  • Not compatible with iOS
    iOS compatibility
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This microphone is not compatible with iOS, the average microphone is.
    Requires external audio interface.
  • Not compatible with Android
    Android compatibility
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    This microphone is not compatible with Android, the average microphone is.
  • No headphone output
    Headphone output
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This microphone does not include a headphone output, the average microphone does.
  • 5.4% lower user score
    User score
    7.6/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the microphone.
    When it matters
    When you want to know how a microphone performs in real use and how reliable it remains over time according to user feedback.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Shure 55SH Series II
    the average microphone
    Shure 55SH Series II has a lower user score than the average microphone (7.62 vs 8.027).
    7.62 vs 8.03
  • 10.5% worse value for money
    Shure 55SH Series II has a lower value-for-money score than the average microphone (7.18 vs 7.9).
    7.18 vs 7.94
  • 2.43x more expensive
    Shure 55SH Series II is more expensive than the average microphone (£170 vs £70).
    £170 vs £70
  • 58.8% less popular
    Shure 55SH Series II has a lower popularity than the average microphone (3.92 vs 6.2).
    3.92 vs 6.22
  • 5,000 Hz lower high-frequency limit
    Highest frequency
    15,000 Hz
    â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
    Market range: <15k Hz – >20k Hz
    This microphone has a lower high-frequency limit than the average microphone (15000 Hz vs 20000 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a high-frequency limit of 20000 Hz.
    15,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 30 Hz higher low-frequency limit
    Lowest frequency
    50 Hz
    â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
    Market range: <20 Hz – >50 Hz
    This microphone has a higher low-frequency cutoff than the average microphone (50 Hz vs 20 Hz). By comparison, the average microphone has a low-frequency limit of 20 Hz.
    50 Hz vs 20 Hz
  • No headphone output
    Headphone output
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This microphone does not include a headphone output, the average microphone does.
  • No 3.5 mm jack
    3.5 mm audio jack
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
    This microphone does not include a 3.5 mm jack, the average microphone does.
  • No zero-latency monitoring
    Zero-latency monitoring
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 67% of models
    This microphone does not support zero-latency monitoring, the average microphone does.
  • No gain control
    Onboard gain control
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    This microphone does not include onboard gain control, the average microphone does.
  • No USB bus power
    USB bus-powered
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
    This microphone does not support USB bus power, the average microphone does.
  • 31 older release date
    Release date
    1989
    â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This microphone is older than the average microphone (1989 vs 2020). The average microphone was released in 2020.
    1989 vs 2020
  • 21.8 mm thicker body
    Thickness
    77.8 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    Market range: <45 mm – >114 mm
    This microphone is thicker than the average microphone (77.8 mm vs 56 mm). The average microphone has a thickness of 56 mm.
    77.8 mm vs 56 mm
  • Not compatible with Android
    Android compatibility
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
    This microphone is not compatible with Android, the average microphone is.
  • Not compatible with iOS
    iOS compatibility
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
    This microphone is not compatible with iOS, the average microphone is.
    Requires external audio interface.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

S
soundguys.com
10/08/2022
Summary of the review
Shure 55SH Series II review: The iconic "Elvis" mic
S
soundgale.com
04/12/2023
Summary of the review
Shure 55SH Microphone Review - SoundGale
H
highontechnology.tech
25/04/2025
Summary of the review
REVIEW SHURE 55SH SERIES II VOCAL MICROPHONE: A Sonic Titan of Sound
R
rexbass.com
16/01/2012
Summary of the review
Shure 55SH Series II Microphone Review - Rex and the Bass
G
gearspace.com
26/03/2012
Summary of the review
Shure 55SH Series II Unidyne® Vocal Microphone - User review
B
bonedo.de
14/06/2015
Summary of the review
Shure 55SH II Review - Bonedo
(Translated)Show original
S
soundguys.com
10/08/2022
Summary of the review
Shure 55SH Series II Review: The Legendary "Elvis" Microphone
(Translated)Show original
S
soundguys.com
10/08/2022
Summary of the review
Shure 55SH Series II Review: The Iconic "Elvis" Microphone
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 18 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Shure 55SH Series II

  • Iconic Art Deco/retro design that provides excellent stage presence and visual appeal
  • Highly durable die-cast metal construction described as 'built like a tank'
  • Warm and pleasant vintage sound quality specifically optimized for vocals
  • Effective cardioid polar pattern that minimizes background noise and feedback
  • Internal shock-mounted cartridge helps reduce handling and vibration noise
  • Integrated on/off switch for convenient control during live performances
  • Does not require phantom power to operate

What we don't like about Shure 55SH Series II

  • Heavier than most standard microphones, making it less ideal for handheld use
  • Low output levels often require significant gain from a mixer or interface
  • Awkward XLR connector placement that can interfere with certain mic stands and boom arms
  • Internal foam is less effective at reducing plosives ('P-popping') than standard mesh grilles
  • Slight learning curve to find the 'sweet spot' for optimal sound capture
  • Lacks accessories out of the box, such as a zippered storage pouch or carrying case
  • Limited frequency response may make it less suitable for high-fidelity studio recording

Verdict

The Shure 55SH Series II is an iconic dynamic vocal microphone featuring a cardioid polar pattern and a tailored frequency response of 50Hz to 15,000Hz, optimized for natural speech and vocal reproduction. Built with a rugged chrome-plated die-cast housing and an internal shock-mounted cartridge to minimize stand noise, it includes an integrated on/off switch and a self-tensioning swivel mount capable of tilting 45 degrees forward and 80 degrees backward. Its primary strengths lie in its classic 'Elvis' aesthetic, high gain-before-feedback on loud stages, and durable construction that requires no phantom power. However, it is relatively heavy at 624 grams (1.37 lbs), making it less ideal for handheld use, and its XLR port placement can be awkward with certain mic stands.

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