Why the Shure MV6 is my new favorite microphone

Shure claims that the MV6 is easy for anyone to use right out of the box. I wanted to test that claim because I’ve long wanted better sound on video calls but didn’t want to make all the mess I think standalone mics require.

Does the Shure MV6 live up to its promises and does it replace my regular microphone?

Microphone

While I only use the Shure MV6 for video calls, that’s not Shure’s primary purpose. It’s a gaming mic designed for gamers and streamers to get high-quality audio, using similar technology found in many of Shure’s other revered mics, and drawing on its rich history in audio recording. I’ll get back to audio technology shortly, but first I want to talk about the design.

It’s a stunning piece of kit and I love how it looks on my desk. The simple look is inspired by the professional-grade Shure MV7 and SM7 microphones, and the classic style has been given just the right modern twist that will appeal to those who don’t want to look like they’re in a recording studio. It’s a heavy thing, thanks to the weighted round base that the riser screws onto before you attach the mic to the top. All told, it weighs in at just over 2.5 pounds, so it won’t be sliding around unexpectedly on your desk.

On the back of the microphone is a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The USB port connects to your source, while the 3.5mm jack lets you monitor in real time with a pair of headphones. On the top of the microphone housing is a touch button that lets you quickly mute your audio. I folded the microphone and connected the included USB-C cable to my Apple Mac Mini M1. After changing a few settings in Mac OS, Shure MV6 worked without further interaction. It really is as simple as Shure promised.

Technology

I’m all for keeping things as simple as possible, and the Shure MV7’s near-complete lack of setup was refreshing. But don’t think it’s just a boring plug-and-play mic, because there’s a lot of tech inside that makes it worth considering. It uses a cardioid pattern to focus on your voice and avoid picking up sounds around you, and it also filters out background noises like an air conditioner or fan.

Interestingly, for gamers, Shure offers an Auto Level Mode that adjusts gain in real time based on distance from the microphone and voice volume, so the sound remains consistent. Its Digital Popper Stopper stops unwanted sounds from your speech that can disrupt the sound, without the need for a physical pop suppressor in front of the microphone. If you’re using headphones to monitor your audio, you can adjust the mix in Shure’s Motiv Mix desktop software, where you’ll also find a tone slider that works with Auto Level mode to give you a choice of three different tones—Dark, Bright, and Natural—for your audio.

I installed the Motiv Mix app, but I found it a bit confusing, as opposed to the straightforward setup process. Like Shure’s Motiv Video and Motiv Audio apps with the MoveMic system, the software isn’t as polished as the hardware. Perhaps I was expecting more obvious customization, and while it’s easy to record an audio file, the rest requires some additional knowledge of how the mixers work. The microphone worked fine after I closed the Motiv Mix app, and I haven’t touched it since. The Shure MV6 is also certified for Open Broadcasting Software (OBS), if you already have your own software preferences.

How does that sound?

Is there anything wrong with it so far? The foam covering the microphone doesn’t stay in place very well and has fallen off a few times when I’ve moved the mic around on my desk, and the included 1-meter USB cable is a bit too short, even for desk use. The 12cm boom works well for me, and the mic pivots up and down, but there’s no extension if you want to raise or lower the mic even more. You’ll need to budget for a boom if your setup requires it. Other than that, I really like the MV6, and you can hear a sample of the sound by clicking the play button in the file below.

I’ve been reliably informed that the sound is actually very good during video calls on Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, and my voice sounds clearer to those who usually hear it through the microphones on the Nothing Ear Stick, Apple AirPods Pro, or Samsung Galaxy Buds Live that I’ve used in the past. Those new to my video calls had no complaints. I won’t be going back to either of them either, especially after listening to recordings made with the MV6, because to me they sound great, which means that the Shure MV6 has become my go-to mic. It looks good, works effortlessly, and makes me sound good too. Ultimately, that’s all I look for in a mic.

The Shure MV6 is going to cost you a pretty penny, at $149 (£129), which puts it in competition with some of the best gaming microphones already on the market, like the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma, Blue Yeti Aurora, Elgato Wave:3, and the HyperX QuadCast series.

The Shure MV6 is available now in the Shure online store.