The Frugal Networker

Hammer & Anvil MK-ENG600 Professional Supercardioid Shotgun Microphone
Adorama.com
$139.95

The Hammer & Anvil MK-ENG600 Professional Supercardioid Shotgun Microphone (ENG600) is a professional XLR microphone for serious videographers. Most amateur videographers won’t have the equipment required for connecting XLR microphones to their video equipment. The ENG600 can be mounted on-camera in the hot shoe, onto a boom pole, onto a tripod, onto a cold shoe, or hand held.

At $139.95, the HAAMKENG600 is a bargain when compared to other microphones of this quality. By comparison, microphones of this quality range in price from $199.95 at the low end and top out around the $600 mark.

For you audiophiles who understand all the details, here are the ENG600’s specifications:

Type:    Supercardioid Directional Condenser microphone
Frequency Response:    30-20,000 Hz
Sensitivity:    -33dB +/- 1dB / 0dB=1V/Pa, 1kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio:    80dB or more
Output Impedance:    Phantom – 300 Ohm or more, Battery – 600 Ohm or more
Power:    1.5V AA Battery or 48V phantom
Plug:    Mini-Pin Plug (3.5mm) & 3 Pin XLR
Length:    380mm
Net Weight:    146g
Filter:    Low-cut, Switchable

Why it’s Frugal: The Hammer & Anvil Professional Supercardioid Shotgun Microphone (HAAMK-ENG600) is frugal because it is a high quality, professional microphone that is half the cost of its competitors, plus it includes the XLR to 3.5mm connector (A $10+ value), and the “dead kitten” wind muff (A $25+ value). It also features phantom power and power from a simple AA battery. Frugal.

The ENG600’s proof is in the demo that I recorded using my iPad as a video device in the video. The audio is excellent even with the ceiling fan and two computers on just next to me. The audio is clear and I’m not peaking as I usually do with microphones of lower quality. Professional audio also doesn’t have too much bass in it or amplify any particular range, but rather replicates accurately.

The ENG600 is an all-around great microphone and this won’t be the last you’ll hear of it in my videos. I’m pretty sure that this microphone is going to be my professional “go to” microphone for stationary, as well as, walking around video using my iPad and my video camera. The XLR interface makes it an excellent choice whether you’re using it directly from XLR to the camera, to an audio recorder, or through the 3.5mm converter.

This microphone is great for interviews, documentaries, and YouTube audio capture. The size of the ENG600 (15 inches) is impressive as well as its ability to pick up sound directionally in front of it. It has a standard cardioid pickup pattern, but on supercardioid mode, its reach extends to grab input from several feet away, while still filtering out unwanted side and back noise. Although the ENG600’s size seems daunting, you’ll appreciate it once you hear the audio. It’s true that you might “stick out like a sore thumb” where you’re recording, but the results and the price speak for themselves.

I’ve never seen a bad review of this microphone and you’re not likely to find one. The ENG600 is a lot of bang for the buck. I highly recommend it and I really love the quality of construction, its ease of use, the incredible shock mount (spare bands included in the package), the wind muff, and the XLR to 3.5mm converter cable. The only thing missing is the three pole to four pole converter so that the microphone can be used with iPhones and iPads. I know that’s not a requirement, but it would be a ‘nice to have.’ It’s an absolute winner.

Rating: 9/10

Recommendation: If you’re serious about audio, buy it. Buy two and realize that you’re still under budget.