Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Audio-Technica - BP40 | Shure - SM58 |
|---|---|---|
| Max SPL | 148 dB | 150 dB |
Between the BP40 and SM58, the BP40 comes out ahead in several specs, while the SM58 wins on max spl. Overall, the BP40 scores 65.7 and the SM58 scores 67.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (65.7 vs 67.6). The decision is not about overall quality — both clear the bar — it is about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
The BP40 does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the SM58 if you care most about max spl. Its strongest claims are max spl. The single most decisive one: Max SPL — 1.35% more. 150 dB vs 148 dB.
Both ship with comparable type, connection, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Audio-Technica - BP40 or Shure - SM58?
Shure - SM58 leads the current Mars Score by 1.9 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare max spl against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Audio-Technica - BP40 if…
Audio-Technica - BP40 does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Shure - SM58 if…
Shure - SM58 has the measurable edge on max spl db.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Audio-Technica - BP40 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Shure - SM58 wins
- ▲Max SPL — 1.35% more. 150 dB vs 148 dB.
Spec comparison
Spec
| Spec | Audio-Technica - BP40 | Shure - SM58 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Polar pattern | Hypercardioid | Cardioid |
| Frequency response | 50Hz–16kHz | 50Hz–15kHz |
| Max SPL | 148 dB | 150 dBlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Audio-Technica - BP40 | Shure - SM58 |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | XLR | XLR |
| Headphone out | false | false |