Audio Technica vs Shure: The Ultimate Aussie Streamer's Guide to XLR Mics

Alright, listen up. You've dialled in your graphics settings, your webcam is looking sharp, and you're pulling off 200 IQ plays. But your audio? It sounds like you're broadcasting from a tin can at the bottom of a public pool. If your audience is constantly hearing your mechanical keyboard clacking louder than your victory cries, it's time for a serious upgrade.

Welcome to the audio big leagues. We're talking XLR microphones, the fair dinkum standard for professional-grade sound. But stepping into this world can feel like a maze. Two names stand out from the pack: Audio Technica and Shure. They're the Holden vs Ford, the PC vs Mac, the Tim Tam vs Penguin of the audio world. Both are legendary, but which one is right for your stream?

Don't stress. We're here to cut through the noise, demystify the tech jargon, and help you find the perfect XLR mic that'll make your voice sound like liquid gold without forcing you to sell a kidney. Let's get you sorted.

So, What's the Deal with This Guide?

This isn't just another list of mics. This is your definitive battle plan. We're focusing exclusively on XLR microphones because, let's be honest, if you're serious about streaming, USB mics are the training wheels you're ready to take off. XLR offers superior sound quality, more flexibility, and is the true path to pro-level audio.

We’re pitting two titans against each other:

Audio Technica: The Japanese giant known for incredible clarity and insane value for money. They're the savvy choice for those who want 95% of the performance for 60% of the price.
Shure: The American icon. They build mics that are virtually indestructible and have defined the sound of broadcast, music, and podcasting for decades. They're the undisputed champs for a reason.

This guide will break down what you actually need to look for, compare the key contenders from each brand available right here in Australia, and give you a no-nonsense buying guide focused on getting the best bang for your buck.

Key Features & Specs That Actually Matter

Before we dive into the models, let's quickly decode the tech specs you'll see thrown around. Understanding this stuff is key to not getting fleeced.

1. Mic Type: Dynamic vs. Condenser This is the most important choice you'll make.

Dynamic Mics: These are the workhorses. They're rugged, handle loud noises like a champ, and are brilliant at rejecting background noise. Got a noisy keyboard, a fan whirring, or your flatmate watching MasterChef in the next room? A dynamic mic is your best mate. Most of the mics we'll recommend for streaming are dynamic.
Condenser Mics: These mics are more sensitive and pick up a lot more detail and nuance. They're fantastic for studio recording in a sound-treated room, but for the average Aussie streamer's bedroom setup, they can be too sensitive, picking up every little echo and background sound.

Streamer's Verdict: Start with a Dynamic mic.

2. Polar Pattern: The Cardioid King A polar pattern is simply the direction(s) from which a microphone picks up sound.

Cardioid: This is the one you want. It picks up sound in a heart-shape, capturing what's directly in front of it (your voice) while rejecting sounds from the sides and back (your keyboard and mouse).
Omnidirectional: Picks up sound from all directions. Useless for streaming.
Bidirectional (Figure-8): Picks up from the front and back. Great for two-person interviews, not for solo gaming.

Streamer's Verdict: Make sure it's a Cardioid pattern.

3. Frequency Response This is a graph showing how well a mic picks up different frequencies (low bass tones to high treble tones). Don't get too bogged down in the graphs. Just look for terms like:

"Flat" response: This is neutral and accurate, a great starting point for EQ.
"Presence Boost" or "Vocal Clarity": The mic is tuned to make human speech clearer and more present. This is a massive plus for streaming.
"Proximity Effect": This is a feature of most cardioid mics where your voice gets bassier and warmer the closer you get to the mic. It's how streamers get that classic, deep "radio voice".

4. The XLR Connection This three-pin connector is the professional standard. Unlike USB, it carries a balanced audio signal, which is less prone to interference over long cable runs. The key thing to remember is that an XLR mic cannot plug directly into your computer. You absolutely need an Audio Interface (like a Focusrite Scarlett Solo or a Rodecaster Pro) to convert the analogue signal to digital for your PC. This is an extra cost, but it's a non-negotiable part of the XLR setup.

The Contenders: Best Mics Available in Australia

Time for the main event. Let's pit the heavyweights from Audio Technica and Shure against each other across different budget tiers. Prices are a rough guide based on what you’d find at Aussie retailers like Scorptec, PCCG, Store DJ, or Manny's Music.

Round 1: The Entry-Level Brawlers (Sub-$200)

Audio Technica AT2020 (XLR)

Type: Condenser
Best For: Aspiring streamers in a quiet room who also want to record music/vocals.
The Lowdown: The AT2020 is a legend for a reason. It delivers crisp, detailed studio-quality sound at a price that feels like a typo. But remember, it's a condenser. If your room has echo or background noise, this mic will pick it all up. It's a fantastic mic, but maybe not the best first choice for a typical gaming setup.
Aussie Price Check: ~$150 - $180 AUD

Shure SM58

Type: Dynamic
Best For: Anyone wanting an indestructible, reliable starting mic that will last forever.
The Lowdown: You've seen this mic on every concert stage in the world. There's a reason for that. It's built like a tank, has great vocal clarity, and its background rejection is excellent. It might not have that "broadcast" look, but its performance is top-notch. Chuck on a cheap foam windscreen, and you've got a killer streaming mic.
Aussie Price Check: ~$160 - $190 AUD

Winner: For most streamers starting out, the Shure SM58 is the smarter, safer bet due to its dynamic nature and epic durability.

Round 2: The Streaming Sweet Spot ($200 - $400)

Audio Technica AT2040

Type: Dynamic
Best For: Streamers wanting that "broadcast" sound and look without the "broadcast" price tag.
The Lowdown: This is Audio Technica's direct shot at the streaming market. It's a hypercardioid dynamic mic, meaning it's even more focused on your voice than a standard cardioid. It has a rich, warm tone designed to make your voice sound incredible right out of the box, and it looks the part on a boom arm. Incredible value.
Aussie Price Check: ~$180 - $220 AUD

Shure MV7

Type: Dynamic
Best For: The streamer who wants maximum flexibility and ease of use.
The Lowdown: The MV7 is the clever younger sibling of the legendary SM7B. Its killer feature is the hybrid USB/XLR output. You can start with USB and then upgrade to an XLR interface later. The ShurePlus MOTIV desktop app gives you powerful tools like Auto Level Mode to make sounding great almost foolproof. It's a brilliant, modern mic.
Aussie Price Check: ~$350 - $400 AUD

Winner: This is tough. For pure value and out-of-the-box XLR sound, the Audio Technica AT2040 is an absolute steal. For flexibility and future-proofing, the Shure MV7 is worth the extra cash.

Round 3: The Pro-Level Powerhouses ($400+)

Audio Technica BP40

Type: Dynamic
Best For: The streamer who wants a professional alternative to the mainstream choice.
The Lowdown: A lesser-known gem, the BP40 is a large-diaphragm dynamic broadcast microphone that rivals the best in the business. It has a rich, natural sound with fantastic low-end response and excellent noise rejection. It doesn't need as much gain as the SM7B, making it easier to power. A seriously underrated professional mic.
Aussie Price Check: ~$450 - $500 AUD

Shure SM7B

Type: Dynamic
Best For: The streamer who wants the undisputed, industry-standard, "endgame" microphone.
The Lowdown: This is it. The GOAT. The mic used by everyone from Joe Rogan to your favourite Twitch superstar. The SM7B delivers an impossibly smooth, warm, and professional vocal tone that just works. Its background noise rejection is legendary. However, it comes with a catch: it's notoriously "gain-hungry." You'll need a very good audio interface with clean preamps, or an inline preamp like a Cloudlifter or FetHead (another ~$100-$150) to get enough volume out of it.
Aussie Price Check: ~$600 - $700 AUD

Winner: If money is no object and you have the gear to power it, the Shure SM7B is the king for a reason. But the Audio Technica BP40 offers a mighty compelling, and slightly more affordable, professional alternative.

Buying Guide: Getting the Best Bang For Your Buck

Okay, let's talk strategy. As a bargain hunter, you want maximum performance for minimum dollars. Here’s how to do it.

Factor in the 'Hidden' Costs: An XLR mic is just one piece of the puzzle. You must budget for:
- Audio Interface: (e.g., Focusrite Scarlett Solo) ~$150+
- Boom Arm: (e.g., Rode PSA1) ~$100+
- XLR Cable: ~$20 That's an extra $270 on top of the mic itself. Don't forget it!
Your Room Matters More Than Your Mic: You can have a $700 SM7B, but if you're in a big, echoey room with hard surfaces, it'll still sound average. Chucking a few cushions around, hanging a heavy blanket on the wall behind your monitor, or even just streaming with a full bookshelf behind you can do wonders for your sound quality—and it's free.
The "Good Enough" Principle is Your Best Friend: The truth is, the jump in quality from a basic headset mic to something like an AT2040 or SM58 is massive. The jump from an AT2040 to an SM7B is much, much smaller. Your audience will notice the first jump; they probably won't notice the second. The AT2040 is the definition of "good enough to be great".
Shop Smart in Oz: Keep an eye on local retailers like Store DJ, Manny's Music, Mwave, PCCG, and Scorptec. Wait for big sales events like Black Friday or EOFY. You can often snag a great bundle deal on a mic and an interface.

The Final Verdict

So, Audio Technica or Shure? The honest answer is that you can't go wrong with either. They are both titans of the industry for a reason. The real choice comes down to your budget and specific needs.

For the Ultimate Bargain Hunter: The Audio Technica AT2040 is the clear winner. It delivers 90% of the performance of the high-end mics for a fraction of the price. Pair it with a basic interface, and you have a pro-level setup that won't break the bank. You little ripper.
For the Flexible All-Rounder: The Shure MV7 is the modern champion. Its hybrid USB/XLR functionality is a game-changer, offering a clear upgrade path and fantastic software support. It's the perfect blend of convenience and quality.
For the "Buy It for Life" Purist: The Shure SM58 is an icon. It's not fancy, but it will never, ever let you down. It's a smart, affordable investment that will outlive your PC, your desk, and probably you.
For the "Money is No Object" Streamer: If you want the best and have the budget for the mic and the gear to power it properly, the Shure SM7B is still the undisputed king of the castle.

Ultimately, upgrading to an XLR mic from either of these brands is the single biggest leap you can make in your stream's production quality. Choose the one that fits your wallet, get it set up on a boom arm, and get ready for your chat to start complimenting your silky-smooth audio. Now, get out there and sound amazing.