Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Elgato - Wave:3 | Shure - SM58 |
|---|---|---|
| Max SPL | 120 dB | 150 dB |
| Type | Condenser | Dynamic |
| Connection | USB | XLR |
Between the Wave:3 and SM58, the Wave:3 comes out ahead in type / connection, while the SM58 wins on max spl. Overall, the Wave:3 scores 59.6 and the SM58 scores 67.6 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The SM58 edges ahead on the Mars Score (59.6 vs 67.6), but the 8.0-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the Wave:3 if you care most about type / connection. The biggest gaps in its favor are type, connection. The single most decisive one: Type: Condenser (vs Dynamic).
Pick the SM58 if you care most about max spl. Its strongest claims are max spl. The single most decisive one: Max SPL — 25.00% more. 150 dB vs 120 dB.
Both ship with comparable polar pattern, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the SM58 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Elgato - Wave:3 or Shure - SM58?
Shure - SM58 leads the current Mars Score by 8.0 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare type, connection, max spl against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Elgato - Wave:3 if…
Elgato - Wave:3 has the measurable edge on type, connection.
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 Elgato - Wave:3 wins
- ▲Type: Condenser (vs Dynamic).
- ▲Connection: USB (vs XLR).
Why Shure - SM58 wins
- ▲Max SPL — 25.00% more. 150 dB vs 120 dB.
Spec comparison
Spec
| Spec | Elgato - Wave:3 | Shure - SM58 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Condenserlead | Dynamic |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid | Cardioid |
| Frequency response | 70Hz–20kHz | 50Hz–15kHz |
| Max SPL | 120 dB | 150 dBlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Elgato - Wave:3 | Shure - SM58 |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | USBlead | XLR |
| Headphone out | truelead | false |
| Built-in preamp | truelead | false |