Between the BP40 and SM7dB, the BP40 comes out ahead in several specs, while the SM7dB wins on max spl. Overall, the BP40 scores 79.3 and the SM7dB scores 82 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (79.3 vs 82). The decision isn't about overall quality — both clear the bar — it's about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
The BP40 doesn't pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the SM7dB if you care most about max spl. Its strongest claims are max spl.
Both ship with comparable type, connection, so those specs don't 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 tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Why Audio-Technica - BP40 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Shure - SM7dB wins
- ▲Max SPL — 1.35% more. 150 dB vs 148 dB.
Spec comparison
Spec
| Spec | Audio-Technica - BP40 | Shure - SM7dB |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Polar pattern | Hypercardioid | Cardioid |
| Frequency response | 50Hz–16kHz | 50Hz–20kHz |
| Max SPL | 148 dB | 150 dBlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Audio-Technica - BP40 | Shure - SM7dB |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | XLR | XLR |
| Headphone out | false | false |
Spec-level deep dives
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