Detail 01
Electret condenser capsule
Faster transient response than a dynamic, so consonants and breath detail come through more clearly.
Product detailSKU #1274034494262
ShureSM86 Cardioid Condenser Vocal Mic
1/8
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Handheld condenser vocal mic for singers who want more detail and top end than a dynamic, on a stage that can support it.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Lead vocals where clarity and air matter more than isolation
- Quieter stages, acoustic acts, worship and theater
- Singers with softer or breathier delivery
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Loud rock stages with heavy monitor and drum bleed
- Rough handling and mic drops — condensers are more delicate
- Boards with no phantom power available
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Needs 11 to 52V phantom power
Won't make a sound without phantom on that channel. Check your mixer or you'll think the mic is dead.
Detail 03
50 to 18,000Hz response
Extends about 3kHz higher than a typical dynamic vocal mic, which is where the added air and presence come from.
Detail 04
Cardioid pattern
Rejects sound from behind, so you get usable gain before feedback despite the higher sensitivity.
Detail 05
147dB max SPL
The capsule itself won't distort even on a belted vocal right on the grille.
Detail 06
-50dBV/Pa sensitivity
Noticeably hotter output than a dynamic — you'll run less preamp gain, but stage bleed comes up too.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Phantom power required — confirm your mixer supplies it before buying
- 02No cable or stand listed; budget for an XLR cable
- 03Higher sensitivity means more monitor bleed; watch wedge levels
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Does the SM86 need phantom power?
Yes. It requires 11 to 52 volts of phantom power. Without it, the mic produces no output at all.
02SM86 or SM58 for live vocals?
The SM86 gives more detail and top end and needs phantom power. The SM58 is more rugged and rejects loud stage noise more forgivingly.
03Can I use it with a portable recorder?
Only if the recorder supplies phantom power on its XLR input. Many small recorders offer it, but confirm before you rely on it.
04Will it feed back more than a dynamic mic?
It's more sensitive, so gain staging matters more. The cardioid pattern helps, but keep monitor levels in check on loud stages.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Black
5 detailsOther
- Category Source
- detail
- Tier
- new
- Korena Special
- false
- Source Id
- site51274034494262
- Prop65
- WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Complete your setup
Worth comparing
1 of 12
More from Shure
1 of 8
