Electro-Voice
RE20
around $449

Electro-Voice
around $449
287 Pros
77%
27 reviews (4h 22m)
86 Cons
Step into the world of professional audio with the Electro-Voice RE20, the iconic microphone that has been a broadcast and studio staple for over 50 years. Revered for its incredibly clean, natural, and articulate sound, the RE20 delivers the clarity of a condenser with the durability and noise rejection of a dynamic microphone. Its signature featu...
95%
74 vs 4
63%
10 vs 6
78%
36 vs 10
72%
71 vs 27
59%
20 vs 14
Across 27 YouTube reviews, the Electro-Voice RE20 earns a Summa score of 4.1/5, ranking #19 among Microphones. Reviewers most often praise its features, sound quality, noise cancellation, while the most common criticisms concern sound quality, recording quality.
The Electro-Voice RE20 is widely praised across reviews for its broadcast-ready sound, versatility, and durable construction; these strengths appear repeatedly (features: 67 mentions, sound quality: 57 mentions, build quality: 32 mentions). Reviewers consistently highlight its Variable D technology and bass roll-off/high-pass switch for controlling proximity effect and low-end boom, its clear, natural, and clean tonal profile well suited to voice and many instruments, and an all-metal, “built like a tank” build with useful accessories like a mount and case. Many reviewers also note excellent off-axis behavior and noise rejection, making it popular for podcasting, radio, and live spoken-word use. Overall the RE20 is often described as a versatile, long-standing broadcast standard that reliably delivers professional results for voice and varied recording applications.
Criticisms focus mainly on gain and application limits: reviewers frequently report the RE20 is gain-hungry and benefits from a high-gain preamp or inline booster (sound quality cons: 27 mentions, recording quality cons: 19 mentions). Several users find it less ideal for very quiet sources, some singing styles, or certain instruments (recording quality complaints include less sensitivity and a perceived dullness on some voices or instruments). Other recurring negatives concern cost and accessories — many callers consider it pricey and note the additional expense of recommended shock mounts or gain devices — and practical drawbacks like size/weight and the included clip or shock mount not suiting every setup. A minority also report sibilance or a subtle halo in certain voices and that the mic can be cumbersome on camera or with lightweight arms.
Analysis based on 27 YouTube reviews (4h 22m of video) with 287 pros and 86 cons extracted.
Based on 27 independent YouTube reviews, the Electro-Voice RE20 scores 4.1/5 with 287 positive and 86 negative points mentioned by reviewers, placing it #19 in the Microphones category.
The most praised aspects are features, sound quality, noise cancellation — Features (74 mentions), Sound Quality (71 mentions), Noise Cancellation (39 mentions).
Reviewers most frequently criticize sound quality, recording quality — Sound Quality (27 mentions), Recording Quality (19 mentions).
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