Shure MV5C, in-depth analysis of a versatile microphone

Microphones and external webcams were a thing of the past now that most users have opted for the laptop that has these capabilities built in, as well as the rise of wireless headphones that include ever-better microphones. However, "telecommuting", the rise of streaming and podcasting have made us change our minds slightly.

This time we have with us the Shure MV5C microphone, a very versatile microphone with the guarantee of a recognized brand. We analyze this microphone in depth, as always, and we tell you its strongest points and of course, its weakest.

Materials and design

This time Shure has opted for what they call Home Office, a microphone that is not directly aimed at the professional public but rather at "all audiences." Undoubtedly, these long, problem-filled Zoom calls have led manufacturers of this type of accessories to create an intelligent solution to certain problems, something to be welcomed. This is how this MV5C was born, a microphone for Home Office and video conferencing as the same brand says. Therefore, having a hideous hulk on your desktop is not the best option. Shure is committed to minimalism as we can see.

• Weight: 160 grams

We have a 89 x 142 x 97 device with a totally round thinking head and a brushed aluminum base that by means of a screw will allow us to adjust the direction of the microphone. At the back of this round head is where we will find the connection port to USB and the 3,5mm Jack for the headphones. On the other hand, in the upper area reads the brand's logo and an LED indicator of the microphone status. Of course, we have to emphasize that we include a USB-A and USB-C cable in the package so we should not have compatibility problems.

Technical characteristics

We have a device that has an answer in frequency 20 Hz to 20 kHz, far superior to traditional microphones included in notebooks. However, this frequency response is adjustable and will go hand in hand with a sound pressure of 130 dB SPL. On the other hand, we have a condenser translator and a popular cardioid pattern, in the line of products that Shure usually makes. We do not have that yes, any kind of low cut filter, as well as lacks dimmed and any type of interchangeable capsule.

The microphone is preconfigured to have a flat response, that is, mainly improving the voice. The configuration is almost non-existent, directly connecting this Shure MV5C Through its USB port to our laptop with Windows or our Mac, a new audio source will appear in the Zoom or Teams drop-down, effectively that will be the Shure microphone. It does not have downloadable software (that we have tested) so this time Shure has opted for plug-and-play, which makes sense considering that this obviously focuses on the Home Office.

Editor experience

We have stood before a microphone that apparently is not going to offer us anything different from the hundreds of thousands of external microphones at any point of sale. Its purpose is to offer a quick and easy connection, that's why Shure has moved slightly away from the professional world to reach a very needy audience right now with this MV5C microphone, that of users who have calls through platforms such as Microsoft Teams day in and day out. However, that Shure has deviated from their more traditional phenomenon does not at all mean that they have done it wrong.

Although the Shure MV5C does not offer us any type of user experience different from the others, it does have the advantage that in just two steps we are making a call or video call where the other party will hear us clearly, without interference or any kind of noise, that is precisely what Shure was looking for with this MV5C, offer the guarantee and tranquility of the results that your brand provides, moving away from an audience that seeks complexity and versatility. That is why the Shure MV5C we can say that it fulfills exactly, neither more nor less, what it promises.

The question now is whether or not it is really worth paying the 105 euros that this Shure MV5C costs, device that, like the rest of the brand's products, has a slightly higher price compared to the competition. We have microphones that cost half or even less at Amazon and that will offer us a similar result, although we will not have the guarantee of Shure, the support of Shure or of course such well-kept design and construction materials. Again, this Shure MV5C is the mic of choice for Home Office looking for the best.