Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Studio Microphone (SM7B) vs Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)

What separates them

These two differ on 2 recorded specifications. The Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Studio Microphone (SM7B) is ₹21,000 dearer.

Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Studio Microphone (SM7B) vs Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)

Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Studio Microphone (SM7B)

Shure

Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Studio Microphone (SM7B)

₹38,990

The reason this microphone frustrates first-time buyers is a single number: -59 dBV/Pa output, which is extraordinarily low and means it needs roughly 60 dB of clean gain that most affordable interfaces cannot deliver.

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Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)

Sony

Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer (HT-S20R)

₹17,990

Real rear speakers rather than virtual ones is the entire argument for this over a slimmer bar, and it is a strong one -- sound genuinely comes from behind you instead of being simulated.

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Who the Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Studio Microphone is for

Buy it if: Anyone with an interface that can supply about 60 dB of clean gain, or willing to add an inline preamp.

Avoid it if: Anyone wanting a plug-and-play USB microphone -- this needs XLR, an interface, and probably a preamp.

Who the Sony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer is for

Buy it if: Anyone who wants actual surround sound and can route speaker cable to the back of the room.

Avoid it if: Anyone unwilling to run cables, or who specifically wants Dolby Atmos height effects.

Specifications, side by side

2 of 18 rows differ. Differences first.

SpecificationShure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Studio MicrophoneSony HT-S20R 5.1ch Dolby Digital Soundbar with Subwoofer
Price₹38,990₹17,990
ConnectivityXLR only -- not USB, so an audio interface is mandatoryHDMI ARC, optical, USB, Bluetooth
Weight765 gBar 2.3 kg, subwoofer 5.6 kg
Warranty1 Year Official Brand Warranty1 Year Official Brand Warranty
Audio decoding not publishedDolby Digital and DTS. No Dolby Atmos
Bar dimensions not published90 x 6.4 x 8.8 cm
Cabling note not publishedThe rear speakers are wired to the subwoofer, so cable has to be run across the room
Channels not published5.1, with physically wired rear speakers
Frequency response50 Hz to 20 kHz not published
Gain requirementRoughly 60 dB of clean gain. Most affordable interfaces do not have it, so a Cloudlifter or FetHead is usually needed not published
IncludedWindscreen and yoke mount not published
Output level-59 dBV/Pa -- very low, and the single most important fact about this microphone not published
Phantom powerNot required by the microphone itself not published
Polar patternCardioid not published
Power consumption not publishedAbout 55 W in use
ShieldingInternal, against electromagnetic hum from monitors not published
Subwoofer not publishedWired, external
Subwoofer dimensions not published17 x 34 x 36 cm
Total output not published400 W peak

Every row is a figure one or both products record. A blank is a figure the catalogue does not hold, not a zero.

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