BM800 Microphone and Icom SM-50 Comparison – Recorded Audio
BM800 Microphone and Cables
BM800 XLR Cable
The BM800 Microphone comes with a XLR to 3.5mm cable.
To connect to my Icom radios I have used this Y Cable I got off of E-bay (HS-01C). It's in my camper with the 7300 right now.
I use this foot switch. Be sure to get the correct plug for whatever Y cable you are using.
Currently, in the ham shack with the Icom 7610, I am using a Heil AD-1-iC cable. I like this one, but it does require a small stereo female jack to mono plug adapter for the microphone input. Not a big deal.
No need for phantom power. This mic gets power from the Icom radio. I have it on a Samson mic boom.
This microphone works great using VOX.
Icom SM-50
I got this one pretty cheap off of E-bay, but I was prepared to buy it eventually at full price. It's a nice desktop microphone and well built. The SM-50 seems bigger in person than in the pictures I've seen. I like this sturdy microphone.
The lock comes in handy and I can tell a difference between low and low cut. Listen below.
Audio Recordings of BM800 and Icom SM-50
Curious to know what your TX audio sounds like? Use a online SDR.
These audio recordings were saved from a SDR receiver in Utah. There are many variables, including band conditions. So many mic settings to choose from.
Note: SM-50 can be used with mic bias on or off. I have it on.
BM800 Microphone - Comp 3, Bass -2, Treble +4, TBW, Wide 200-2900 Hz.
Icom SM-50 - Comp 3, Bass -2, Treble +4, TBW, Wide 200-2900 Hz., Low Cut Enabled.
Icom SM-50 - Comp 3, Bass -2, Treble +4, TBW, Wide 200-2900 Hz., Low Cut Disabled.
What do you think? Which microphone sounds better? Post your thoughts below in the comment section.
If you have any questions, comments or solutions, please comment below. I prefer the comment section here or in YouTube over e-mail because your comments and questions will help others as well.
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73,
Rich, K0PIR
Sources:
Y Cable I got off of E-bay (HS-01C)
Foot switch I use in the camper with a 3.5mm plug
SDR receiver in Utah
I just connected a Heil ICM mic, and was surprised to learn that I now must set mic gain to 10% with comp on, or
18% with comp off. Your BM 800 sounds good.
Hi Sam,
Thank you. I know guys who have the iCM and they sound great. Best 73!
Rich
Hi Rich
For some reason my laptop cannot play your files.
Either unsupported format or wrong path.
Yeah my iPad Pro is having a problem. Are you on a Mac?
I updated it and you should be good now.
Thank you for the input.
Best 73,
Rich,K0PIR
BM800 gets my vote, but both sound good to me.
Hi Rich,
For me the BM800 Microphone sounds much better than the SM-50.
However, I am 73 years old and I know that this might not be true under hard conditions.
Jürgen
Thanks for commenting. My hearing is not good but I can tell a little difference.
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Thanks Ken. They are both good and a friend who views it on a scope says the BM800 is better.
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich,
Have you tried either microphone with your Drake TR-7?
73,
Chris
W5CMM
Hi Chris,
No, I have not. The TR-7 takes a high impedance mic. I have a transformer I could put in it, so maybe later!
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich,
From my OLD ears, there is not a lot of difference from the BM-800 and the Icom SM-50 set to the “Low” position. However, I prefer the audio from the BM-800, it may have a little wider audio response and a little more presence.
Thanks, Ed KD5EH
Hi Ed,
Nice to hear from you and thanks for commenting.
I’m leaning towards the SM-50 in the LOW position only because it was 5X the price of the BM-800 Hi Hi!
See you on the BC!
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich,
I favor the sound of the BM800.
73, John WB4YAL
Hi John,
Nice to hear from you and yes I am convinced now. I think the BM800 just edges out the SM-50. I guess the SM-50 is going to the camper, hi hi.
73,
Rich,K0PIR
Hi Rich,
I have the 7300. Call me a ninny, but can you show how you connect the BM800 to the 8 Pin Mic Headset Adapter HS 01 C? The 8 pin has 2 connections and the BM800 (as far as I can see) has one.
I just want to make sure I am getting the right parts for the project.
I’m not to savvy with the microphones.
Thanks,
Eric
w7igc
Hi Eric,
Nice to hear from you and thank you for commenting here.
You plug the BM800 into the mic end of the HS 01 C (Y cable). The other connector on the Y cable is for a foot switch. You can use the BM800 without a foot switch by using VOX.
I use a foot switch like this one. My Y cable takes a 1/8″ plug on the foot switch.
I hope this helps.
73,
Rich, K0PIR
HI Rich,
Do you think there is any difference in these two mics, although they are the same?
Between the Zingyou and Voilamart, that is.
Thanks for any help.
Eric
Hi Eric,
Same mic as the BM800, just different names.
73s
Rich, K0PIR
Just got all of my parts for this exact same setup. We’ll have to catch up soon! Thanks Rich!
That sound great Sean. Enjoy!
Hi Rich,
I just got the HS-01CD adapter along with the BM-800, but the Mic isn’t working.
The PTT works fine.
I received a HS-01CD. Do you think that the HS-01CD is different from the HS-01C?
When I clicked on your link, the CD was the suggested.
The seller is out of town for a couple weeks, so my inquiry will be delayed.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Eric
Hi Eric,
Thanks for commenting here and sorry to hear about your trouble. I clicked on the link and it took me to the expired listing (the one I have) that is for the one ending in C. I read the description of the CD and it is for a dynamic mic. You will have to send that one back and get the C. The BM800 is an electret condenser mic and needs power.
I will look for a better link. Thank you.
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Hi Rich,
I was afraid of that. For some reason I thought dynamic was the one that would have worked.
I did email the seller, but he is out of town right now, so I will let you know in about three weeks.
If I dared to, can’t I just rewire the one I have?
I guess I don’t understand the difference between the two.
I searched eBay and came up with no matches.
Thank you for all your help.
As I said, I will keep in the loop.
Eric
There is a capacitor in the line blocking the mic bias. I would wait for the seller to return and ask him about it. Tell him what you have and what you want to hook up.
I’ve had many times where I had to wait on the right part to come in. Just part of the hobby, hi hi. You’ll enjoy the BM800 when it’s done.
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Your recordings are kind of confusing to me, the BM-800 is listed at the top up away from the recordings then the SM-50 are there twice. Makes it kind of hard to determine which is which and then there is 3 recordings and only 2 mics. Would be much better leaving all the settings the same and just make one recording for each mic.
Hi Rick,
Nice to hear from you and thank you for visiting the website. Sorry for the confusion. Two of the recordings are for the SM 50 and one has low cut enabled and the other has low cut disabled. The BM800 does not have that option. The radio internal settings are the same in all three recordings. I hope this helps and I hope all is well where you are. Take care, be safe and best 73!
P.S. While on the air most people say the BM800 sounds better, idk. Maybe it’s just my voice, hi hi. I have been using the SM 50 while operating portable and everyone says it sounds really good. This is with the ICOM 7300, 100 W and a Hi-Q mobile antenna. SSB TX Settings the same.
Hi Rich
Having Just listened to the recording, the BM800 does appear a little less in overall Level and a little more Bass response. Maybe this is because the overall output level to my ears sounds fractionally less. I wonder if the Audio scope on the 7610 showed the same level on each Mic. ?
I’m awaiting delivery of my SM-50 so I’m quite looking forward to testing it.
I always like the sound of Boom microphones but the extra hassle of leads everywhere and footswitches puts me off it’s not like we don’t have enough wires in the shack as it is. So for me the quality and simple solution of a Desk Mic suits me great ( I Hope ) lol
Hi Daniel,
So nice to hear from you and thank you for commenting on my website. Your questions and interaction will help others as well.
I don’t remember offhand about the audio scope. I would have to check.
I use the SM-50 on my 7300 and others comment on it good quality. It is a nice sturdy mic and suits me well.
Thank you again and best 73!
Thank you for this review. I was considering both microphones, but I have to say having more calbes/etc to make the BM800 ‘work’ put me off. The audio quality of your recordings sounds about the same.
That and the positive reviews on eHam i went with the SM-50, it looks a quality bit of kit.
Thanks again, and hope to catch you on the air sometime.
73 / 2E0FWE
Thanks Alan, take care and good DX!
Rich, K0PIR
BM800 for sure. Nice job.
Thank you for commenting here. It’s always nice to hear feedback. Best 73 and good DX!
tahnks for the info i am now using one with a ic7300 and a ic705 with a homemade adaptor on oscar 100 also i use it with my vhf/uhf anytone 778u/v and a ft991a i made a simple mic swith box . again thanks for your info it was very helpful
all the best kelvin
Hi Kelvin,
It’s nice to hear from you and thank you for commenting here.
Thanks for the info and FB on your setup. That sounds terrific.
Glad the website was helpful and I hope to hear you on the air sometime.
Best wishes to you and yours.
73,
Rich, K0PIR
BM800 BEST in my ears
Thanks Bill. You and me too! 73 and Good DX!