AT2020 vs Shure SM58: Best Budget XLR Streaming Mic Under $300 AUD?

When stepping up to an XLR setup for your stream, two legendary microphones consistently dominate the sub-$300 AUD price bracket: the Audio-Technica AT2020 and the Shure SM58. While both are exceptional value, they are fundamentally different tools designed for different jobs. Choosing the right one depends entirely on your streaming environment and the sound you want to achieve.

The core difference lies in their technology. The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a condenser microphone, designed to capture crisp, detailed, studio-quality sound. It's highly sensitive, picking up the subtle nuances in your voice, which can give your stream a professional, polished feel. However, this sensitivity is a double-edged sword; it will also pick up every keyboard clack, mouse click, and echo in an untreated room. It requires +48V phantom power from your audio interface to operate.

Conversely, the Shure SM58 is a dynamic microphone, built for the stage and renowned for its durability and background noise rejection. It's less sensitive than the AT2020, focusing tightly on the sound source directly in front of it. This makes it incredibly forgiving in noisy or untreated environments like a typical bedroom or office. It doesn't need phantom power and delivers a warm, clear vocal presence that cuts through game audio and music effortlessly.

Audio-Technica AT2020 (XLR)

Pros:

• Studio-Quality Detail: Captures a wide frequency range, resulting in a crisp, clear, and detailed vocal sound.
• Excellent Clarity: The bright high-end adds an "airy" quality, perfect for articulate and expressive voice work.
• Great Value for a Condenser: Offers professional-grade condenser performance at an entry-level price.

Cons:

• Requires Phantom Power: Your audio interface must supply +48V phantom power.
• Highly Sensitive to Background Noise: Will easily pick up room echo, PC fans, and keyboard sounds if your space isn't acoustically treated.
• Less Forgiving: Can sound harsh if your mic technique isn't consistent or if you're too close.

Shure SM58

Pros:

• Superb Noise Rejection: Its cardioid polar pattern and dynamic nature excel at isolating your voice and ignoring background noise.
• Built Like a Tank: Legendary durability means it can handle bumps, drops, and years of use without issue.
• No Phantom Power Needed: Simplifies your setup as it works with any XLR input.
• Warm, Present Sound: Delivers that classic, broadcast-ready vocal tone that is forgiving and easy to listen to for long periods.

Cons:

• Requires More Gain: Needs a decent audio interface with a clean preamp to drive it to an optimal level without introducing hiss.
• Less "Air" and Detail: Doesn't capture the ultra-fine nuances and high-frequency sparkle of a condenser mic.
• Needs Close Proximity: Works best when you are speaking close to the microphone (within 5-15 cm).

Verdict

The choice between these two giants is a classic "it depends" scenario, but the deciding factor for most streamers is their recording environment.

Choose the Audio-Technica AT2020 if: You stream from a quiet, acoustically treated room. You prioritise capturing every detail of your voice for a crisp, "studio" or "ASMR-style" sound and are confident you can control your background noise.

Choose the Shure SM58 if: You stream from a typical bedroom or office with potential background noise from a PC, keyboard, or household activity. You want a durable, no-fuss microphone that isolates your voice and delivers a clear, professional broadcast sound right out of the box.

For the vast majority of new and intermediate streamers working in untreated spaces, the Shure SM58 is the safer and more practical choice. Its phenomenal ability to reject unwanted noise makes it far more forgiving, ensuring your voice remains the star of the show, not your environment.