Head-to-head comparison
Behringer XM8500 vs Heil PR40
Two of the equipment tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Behringer XM8500
Pros
- Very cheap (~$25-65 across retailers)
- Decent rejection for the price
- Great as a spare or guest mic
Watch-outs
- Tone thinner than the SM58 it copies
- No shock mount included
- Build feels light
Heil PR40
Pros
- Wider frequency response than typical dynamic
- Strong rear noise rejection
- Warm low end, articulate mids
Watch-outs
- Shock mount (PRSM) sold separately
- Less common than SM7B
- Needs clean preamp gain
Which one should you pick?
Pick Behringer XM8500 if
You’re building around . The Behringer XM8500 is the rock-bottom dynamic — currently around $25-$65 depending on retailer. Genuinely usable for guest mics, backup mics, or pop-up podcast setups.
Pick Heil PR40 if
You’re building around . The Heil PR40 is a wider-response dynamic than typical, with rear noise rejection that punches above its price. Currently around $339-$379.
Also worth comparing
Frequently asked
What does Behringer XM8500 do better than Heil PR40?
Behringer XM8500's standout is "Very cheap (~$25-65 across retailers)". Heil PR40 doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Wider frequency response than typical dynamic" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Behringer XM8500; if the second does, pick Heil PR40.
What are the trade-offs?
Behringer XM8500: tone thinner than the sm58 it copies. Heil PR40: shock mount (prsm) sold separately. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use Behringer XM8500 and Heil PR40 together?
Both are equipment tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Behringer XM8500 for one show or episode type and Heil PR40 for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.