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Shure SM57

ShureMicrophone

SM57

Released January 1965.4Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/insights/10-things-might-not-know-sm58Read 16 October 2026Shure's article says the SM57 was introduced in 1965 and gives no month. Shure's history timeline also lists the Unidyne III cartridge being used for the SM57 in 1965. The month 01 is a placeholder. The current SM57-LC is the same marketed model with later changes. Last checked 16 October 2026.

Type
Dynamic
Polar patterns
Cardioid
Outputs
XLR
Frequency response
40 Hz / 15 kHz

26 of 61 fields known.

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At a glance

All specs

SourceCalculated

General

Series
SM1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page data lists the SM57 in the SM line. The spec sheet file is the SM series sheet.
Model numbers
SM57-LC, SM57-LCE1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026The US page sells SM57-LC. The EU page (shure.com/en-EU/products/microphones/sm57) sells SM57-LCE. The spec sheet lists both. Both are the same microphone. The kits with a boom arm or cable are separate bundles and are not stored.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 2026Available Models: SM57-LC includes stand adapter and zippered pouch. SM57-LCE includes a 5/8-inch to 3/8-inch thread adapter for European stands, a swivel adapter and a zippered pouch. The EU store page lists only the A25D adapter and the bag for the LCE, so the 3/8 inch adapter is not stored as a mount thread.
GTIN / EAN
042406051316, 0424060718191Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page data UPC 042406051316 for SM57-LC (US page) and 042406071819 for SM57-LCE (EU page).
Announced
Not available
Status
Available1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026The US page has Add to Cart. Page data publication status: production, availability: available.
Predecessor
Not available
Successor
Not available
Launch price (US)
Not available
Launch price (EU)
Not available
Markets
Not available
Colours
Dark gray1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026The spec sheet and user guide say dark gray. The page data variant colour says black. The spec sheet value is stored.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 2026Case: dark gray, enamel-painted, die-cast steel.
Microphone type
Dynamic1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page data transducer type: dynamic.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 20263Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Specifications: type dynamic (moving coil).

Capsule and pickup

Capsule size
Not available
Capsules
11Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page data names one fixed cartridge (cartridge fixed, replacement cartridge R57 in the user guide). No capsule count is printed, so one is the reading of a single cartridge.
Polar patterns
Cardioid1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Uniform cardioid pickup pattern.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 20263Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Polar Pattern: cardioid.
Address type
End address1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page data form factor: end-address, small diaphragm. The user guide places vocals with the lips on axis, touching the windscreen.3Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Placement table: vocals with lips less than 15 cm away or touching the windscreen, on axis to the microphone.

Sound specs

Frequency response
Min40 HzMax15 kHz1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Frequency response: 40 to 15,000 Hz.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 20263Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Frequency response 40 to 15,000 Hz.
Sensitivity (analog)
-56dBV/Pa1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page data combined specs: -56.00 dBV/Pa (1.60 mV/Pa).2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 2026Sensitivity (at 1,000 Hz, open circuit voltage): -56.0 dBV/Pa (1.6 mV), where 1 Pa = 94 dB SPL.3Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Sensitivity (at 1 kHz, open circuit voltage): -56.0 dBV/Pa (1.6 mV), where 1 Pa = 94 dB SPL.
Sensitivity (digital)
Not available
Max SPL
Not available
Max SPL distortion limit
Not available
Self-noise
Not available
Digital noise floor
Not available
Signal-to-noise ratio
Not available
Dynamic range
Not available
Output impedance
150Ω2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 2026Impedance: rated impedance is 150 ohm (310 ohm actual) for connection to microphone inputs rated low impedance. The rated value is stored. The user guide prints 310 ohm as the output impedance.3Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Output impedance 310 ohm. This is the actual impedance. The spec sheet states the rated impedance of 150 ohm, which is stored.

Connectivity

Outputs
XLR1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page data connectors: 3 pin XLR. No USB output.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 2026Connector: three-pin professional audio connector (male XLR type).3Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Connector: three-pin professional audio (XLR), male.
Inputs for other sources
Not available
USB and XLR at once
Not available
USB port
Not available
Cable host plug
Not available
Cable length
Not available
Phantom power
Not required5Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/insights/the-swiss-army-knife-of-microphones-the-sm57Read 16 October 2026Shure feature on the SM57: it is a dynamic microphone that works without a power supply. Shure's phantom power article says a dynamic microphone has no active electronics and does not require phantom power.

Digital audio

We could not find any of these 3 fields. Show them
Max bit depth
Not available
Max sample rate
Not available
32-bit float recording
Not available

Monitoring

Headphone output
No1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page data headphone output: false.
Zero-latency monitoring
Not available

Controls and processing

We could not find any of these 2 fields. Show them
Onboard controls
Not available
Onboard processing
Not available

Mounting and accessories

Mount threads
5/8 inch6Retailer pageavlgear.com/products/shure-a25d-break-resistant-stand-adapterRead 16 October 2026Retailer spec for the A25D stand adapter, which Shure ships with the SM57: standard 5/8 in-27 thread mount. The page names the SM57 as a compatible microphone.
Shock mount
Internal1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling noise. It sits inside the body.
Pop filter
Not available
Desk stand included
No1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026In the Box lists the swivel stand adapter and the storage bag and no stand. The S37A desk stand is an optional accessory in the spec sheet.

Design and build

Housing material
Enamel-painted die-cast steel with a polycarbonate grille and a stainless steel screen2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 2026Case: dark gray, enamel-painted, die-cast steel with a polycarbonate grille and a stainless steel screen.3Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Housing: dark gray, enamel-painted, die-cast steel with a polycarbonate grille and a stainless steel screen.
RGB lighting
Not available
Lighting zones
Not available

Software

We could not find any of these 2 fields. Show them
Software
Not available
User firmware updates
Not available

Compatibility

We could not find any of these 2 fields. Show them
Works with
Not available
Consoles
Not available

Dimensions and weight

Front and side, drawn to scale.

Microphone dimensions
Width32Height32Depth157mm(1.3 × 1.3 × 6.2 in)2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 2026Dimensions: 157 mm L x 32 mm W. The microphone is round and end-address, so the 157 mm length is the depth toward the sound source and the 32 mm width is both width and height, as for the other end-address microphones. Soundref notes 23 mm at the narrower end of the body. The 32 mm figure is the widest point.
Microphone weight
284g(10 oz)1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page data weight: 284 g.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 2026Weight: 284 g.3Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Net weight 0.284 kg.
Weight with stand
Not available

Certifications

Other certifications
CE3Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Certifications: meets the Essential Requirements of all relevant European directives and is eligible for CE marking.

In the box

In the box
SM57 microphone, A25D Swivel Stand Adapter, 95A2313 Storage Bag1Maker product pageshure.com/en-US/products/microphones/sm57Read 16 October 2026Page In the Box: 1 A25D Swivel Stand Adapter and 1 95A2313 Storage Bag. The microphone itself is added to the list.2Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007Read 16 October 2026Available Models: SM57-LC includes the stand adapter and a zippered pouch.3Owner's manualpubs.shure.com/guide/SM57/en-USRead 16 October 2026Furnished accessories: A25D microphone clip and 95A2313 carrying and storage bag.

Warranty

We could not find any of these 1 fields. Show them
Manufacturer warranty (source market)
Not available

Compare with

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Sources

We read 6 sources for this microphone. The numbers match the markers in the sheet.

  1. Read 16 October 2026Backs 18 fields
  2. Maker spec sheet (PDF)pubs.shure.com/file/260007
    Read 16 October 2026Backs 13 fields
  3. Read 16 October 2026Backs 12 fields
  4. Read 16 October 2026Backs 1 field
  5. Read 16 October 2026Backs 1 field
  6. Read 16 October 2026Backs 1 field

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